Hydrogyn is an American indie

hard rock Hard rock or heavy rock is a heavier subgenre of rock music typified by aggressive vocals and Distortion (music), distorted electric guitars. Hard rock began in the mid-1960s with the Garage rock, garage, Psychedelic rock, psychedelic and blues ...

band from

Ashland, Kentucky Ashland is a List of cities in Kentucky, home rule-class city in Boyd County, Kentucky, United States. The most populous city in Boyd County, Ashland is located upon the southern bank of the Ohio River at the state border with Ohio and near West ...

. The band was formed in 2004 by guitarists Jeff Westlake and Jeff Boggs and vocalist Julie Westlake. Achieving success with their second album ''Bombshell'', they have released 6 full-length albums.

History

The band formed in 2003, founded by guitarists Jeff Westlake and Jeff Boggs and

country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. When referring to a specific polity, the term "country" may refer to a sovereign state, state with limited recognition, constituent country, ...

vocalist Julie Westlake.A brief history of Hydrogyn
/ref> In 2004, the band released its self-produced debut album ''Best Served with Volume''.Hydrogyn: Band history
/ref> The album attracted the attention of

Pepsi Pepsi is a Carbonated water, carbonated soft drink with a cola flavor, manufactured by PepsiCo which serves as its flagship product. In 2023, Pepsi was the second most valuable soft drink brand worldwide behind Coca-Cola; the two share a long ...

, which endorsed the band and had them perform at

NASCAR The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. It is considered to be one of the top ranked motorsports organizations in ...

's Chevy Rocking 400 in May 2005. The popularity of the band further grew with the release of a professional video for ''The Sand'', which was put in rotation in several music channels. In spring 2005, they were contacted by metal producer

Michael Wagener Michael Wagener (born 25 April 1949) is a German retired record producer, mixer and engineer from Hamburg, best known for his work with many popular American hard rock and heavy metal music, heavy metal bands in the late 1980s. He is particularly ...

, who was impressed by the band and agreed to produce their next album. Released in September 2006, ''Bombshell'' entered three ''Billboard'' charts ("Top Heatseeker Northeast", "Top Internet Albums" and "Top Heatseeker") and sold over 8000 copies in Europe. Vocalist Westlake featured on several European music magazines, including ''Fireworks'', ''Strutter'', and ''Flash''. The ''Bombshell'' tour (which spanned both Europe and the United States) was showcased in the first live release of the band, ''Strip'em Blind Live'', released in July 2007. In 2008 founder guitarist Boggs left the band. That same year a third studio album, ''Deadly Passions'', was released.

Jeff Young Jeffrey "Jeff" Young (born March 31, 1962) is an American guitarist. He graduated from Musicians Institute in 1985, and is best known for his time with the thrash metal band Megadeth, appearing on the 1988 album '' So Far, So Good... So What! ...

from

Megadeth Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist and guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal—alo ...

was briefly considered as a new guitarist, but was eventually turned down. All contributions by Young to the upcoming new album were dismissed and Boggs himself was asked to replay his guitar parts. ''Judgement'', released in 2010, was another success, charting at #10 in Billboard's Top Heat Seeker. Another hiatus followed due to Julie Westlake's health problems, which lasted until mid 2011. Upon her return, the band recorded the new album ''Private Sessions'', released in 2012.

Discography

* ''Best Served With Volume'' (2004, self produced) * ''Bombshell'' (2006, DA Records) * ''Strip'em Blind Live'' (2007, DA Records) * ''Deadly Passions'' (2008, Demolition Records) * ''No Borders SVCD'' (2009, Rapid Fire Entertainment) * ''Judgement'' (2010, Bad Reputation) * ''Phase 1'' (2010, Rapid Fire Entertainment) * ''Deadly Passions Remastered'' (2011, Rapid Fire Entertainment) * ''Private Sessions'' (2012, Rapid Fire Entertainment) * ''Particles Box Set'' (2013, Rapid Fire Entertainment) * ''Rock Me (single)'' (2013, Rapid Fire Entertainment)
Hydrogyn - Rock Me * ''Break the Chains'' (2014, Rapid Fire Entertainment) * ''Redemption'' (2017, RFL Records)Hydrogyn - Redemption (2017)
/ref> * ''Boiling Point'' (2020, RFL Records)Hydrogyn - Boiling Poin (2020)
/ref>

Current lineup

* Holly Hines Freed (vocals) * Jeff Westlake (guitar) * Jacob Freed (bass) * Scot Clayton II (drums) * Ryan Stepp (guitar)

References

{{Authority control American hard rock musical groups Heavy metal musical groups from Kentucky Musical groups established in 2004