Bridging genres and generations with original music steeped in the history of its influences, Hood Smoke's sonic narrative illustrates timeless stories using beautifully simple melodies set to a rhythmic foundation built firmly from the bass up.

Since the release of their debut album Laid Up In Ordinary (2012) Hood Smoke has continued to bridge the gap between retro and modernity in a uniquely sincere way. Midwest Record proclaimed, "A smoking Chicago crew that knows their groove history deliver Grandson of Rufus on this funky for the times set." 

The band is a tour de force whose members have performed with Quincy Jones, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Koko Taylor, Rhymefest, Nick Lowe, Chris Thile, Umphrey’s Mcgee, Postmodern Jukebox, John Wetton, Howard Levy, and Steve Coleman.

With their second album Regular Neurotic (2014) the band began collaboration with producer and engineer Anthony Gravino. The power anthem “Never Suffering” gained the band recognition by American Songwriter, and The Chicago Sun Times declared Hood Smoke a “must-see act.”

Their third release Rough Around The Hedges (2016) which Newcity described as “whip-smart jazz-funk-fusion” whose “lyrics are top-notch throughout,” proved Doherty’s prolificacy as a composer and lyricist. This marked the beginning of the continued relationship with Chicago based record label Ears&Eyes Records. 2016 also saw the band’s first national tour as they wooed audiences from large rock festivals to intimate jazz clubs alike.

Do312 declared the band’s fourth album Cannonball Porch (2018) “beautifully simplistic” and Hood Smoke’s sound “truly unique”. Glide Magazine stated “the ten songs entangle shreds of edgy jazz passages, soulful groove flourishes and a rhythmic rock foundation that makes Hood Smoke a complete revolving door listen.” 

During their 2018 spring tour the band recorded their record release show in Chicago and released their first live recording Live at Sleeping Village.

Their latest studio release Congratulations Mr. And Mrs. Wallace (2019) captures the band in peak performance. The music poured out of the group in an especially intense and effortless way during the making of the album. Songs that require no frills has become composer and leader Bryan Doherty’s modus operandi and this album is that statement. Doherty is joined by drummer Michael Caskey and guitarists Jim Tashjian and Matt Gold.