The Black Moods

The Black Moods blended blues-infused hard rock with a touch of grungy attitude as they climbed from Arizona club circuit regulars to a major-label touring outfit upon issuing their second album, Medicine, in 2016. Functioning as a straight-ahead guitar-bass-drums power trio, the band drew from an array of forceful acts spanning Led Zeppelin to Foo Fighters while carving distinctive additions to the rock & roll tradition across later efforts such as Sunshine (2020) and Into the Night (2022).

Vocalist and guitarist Joshua Kennedy first relocated from Wheaton, Missouri, to the Southwest during his teenage years in order to serve as a technician for a different group. Several years spent absorbing the Phoenix music environment led him to drummer Chico Diaz and bassist Jordan Hoffman, after which the three launched their trio. They adopted their moniker from a casual remark by Ray Manzarek characterizing one of Jim Morrison’s turbulent moods in a Doors documentary, then issued their self-titled debut independently in 2012 and built a reputation through extensive road work that included appearances at classic Los Angeles venues The Viper Room and Whisky a Go Go.

Signing with Sony subsidiary Another Century returned them to the studio alongside producer Jim Kaufman, who had also guided their initial recording. The outcome was Medicine in 2016, a comparably tough yet more seasoned refinement of the classic hard rock sound they had refined since forming. Continued touring and shared bills with Jane’s Addiction, Shinedown, Everclear, and Doors guitarist Robby Krieger raised their visibility in the ensuing years. Their third full-length, Sunshine, reached listeners in 2020 and produced multiple charting singles, among them “Bella Donna” and the energetic title track. Reuniting with producer Johnny “K” Karkazis (3 Doors Down, Disturbed), the Black Moods delivered the energetic Into the Night in 2022.