Hoobastank are a hard rock band that feature an accessible mixture of metal riffs, emotive lyrics and radio-ready melodies. The band’s angry, wounded lyrics never risks alienating the mainstream audience – instead, Hoobastank’s songs dress their misery in pleasing hooks and sing-along choruses. Led by frontman Doug Robb, the group had their biggest success with the 2004 ballad “The Reason.” Hardcore rock fans tend to dismiss Hoobastank’s lightweight material, but the truth of the matter is that the group’s mid-tempo songs are far stronger than their attempts to write aggressive rock anthems.Hoobastank’s Origins:
Hoobastank formed in 1994 in Agoura Hills, California, a small community north of Los Angeles. Singer Doug Robb joined forced with two of his classmates – guitarist Dan Estrin and drummer Chris Hesse – to put together the band. (Bassist Markku Lappalainen was also a part of the original lineup but left the group in 2005.) For the next few years, Hoobastank played around Southern California and recorded some self-produced albums. The band signed to Island Records at the turn of the century, but after an aborted album called Forward was shelved, Hoobastank set to work on their official debut.
Wowing Radio, Annoying Critics:
2001’s Hoobastank set the course for the band’s career: audiences loved the group’s post-grunge hard rock, but critics found their songs whiny and derivative. Hoobastank was front-loaded with its three singles – “Crawling in the Dark,” “Remember Me” and “Running Away” – being the first three songs on the album. Of their early hits, the mid-tempo ballad “Running Away” got the most traction, charting on the mainstream rock, modern rock, pop, and adult charts, hinting at the group’s ability to bridge musical genres with their songs.
Hoobastank Find "The Reason":
Released at the end of 2003, The Reason would make its impact felt the following year. After the first single, the choked-riff “Out of Control,” made a respectable showing on the rock charts, Hoobastank followed it up with the title track, an undeniably sentimental power ballad about a girlfriend that the singer has left brokenhearted. “The Reason” was the sort of song that makes hard rock fans roll their eyes, but just about everyone else on the planet embraced it – the track reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Buoyed by the song’s success, The Reason went double platinum.
Struggling to Maintain Popularity:
Bassist Markku Lappalainen was gone from the band by the time of 2006’s Every Man for Himself. Although the album showcased Hoobastank’s continuing sonic evolution, Every Man didn’t have another ballad with the same power as “The Reason,” although “If I Were You” was actually a better, less sappy variation on the model. Consequently, Every Man failed to enjoy the same popularity as The Reason had – still, the album peaked at No. 12 and managed to be certified for gold-level sales.
'For(n)ever':
Hoobastank returned with For(n)ever on January 27, 2009. The album was preceded by the release of the first single, “My Turn,” a snarling riff-heavy track.
Hoobastank Lineup:
Dan Estrin – guitar
Chris Hesse – drums
Doug Robb – vocals
Key Hoobastank Songs:
“Crawling in the Dark”
“Running Away”
“The Reason”
“If I Were You”
“My Turn”
Hoobastank Quotes:
Doug Robb, on the meaning of the band’s name.
“It doesn’t mean anything. And it’s really cool – it’s one of those old high school inside-joke words that didn’t really mean anything, and people started throwing meanings to it and everything, and when we started we were still in high school and it fit at the time.”
Doug Robb, describing Hoobastank’s sound.
“I don’t think it’s very groundbreaking. I don’t think we’re doing something that hasn’t been done before. But I think it’s not very trendy. I think it’s just rock music with good songs and lyrics – lyrics that people can relate to, grab onto.”
Dan Estrin, on the band’s early days.
“When we started out we were really influenced by Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.”
Chris Hesse, on how he got his start as a musician.
“I learned how to play drums listening to Rush albums.”
Hoobastank formed in 1994 in Agoura Hills, California, a small community north of Los Angeles. Singer Doug Robb joined forced with two of his classmates – guitarist Dan Estrin and drummer Chris Hesse – to put together the band. (Bassist Markku Lappalainen was also a part of the original lineup but left the group in 2005.) For the next few years, Hoobastank played around Southern California and recorded some self-produced albums. The band signed to Island Records at the turn of the century, but after an aborted album called Forward was shelved, Hoobastank set to work on their official debut.
Wowing Radio, Annoying Critics:
2001’s Hoobastank set the course for the band’s career: audiences loved the group’s post-grunge hard rock, but critics found their songs whiny and derivative. Hoobastank was front-loaded with its three singles – “Crawling in the Dark,” “Remember Me” and “Running Away” – being the first three songs on the album. Of their early hits, the mid-tempo ballad “Running Away” got the most traction, charting on the mainstream rock, modern rock, pop, and adult charts, hinting at the group’s ability to bridge musical genres with their songs.
Hoobastank Find "The Reason":
Released at the end of 2003, The Reason would make its impact felt the following year. After the first single, the choked-riff “Out of Control,” made a respectable showing on the rock charts, Hoobastank followed it up with the title track, an undeniably sentimental power ballad about a girlfriend that the singer has left brokenhearted. “The Reason” was the sort of song that makes hard rock fans roll their eyes, but just about everyone else on the planet embraced it – the track reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Buoyed by the song’s success, The Reason went double platinum.
Struggling to Maintain Popularity:
Bassist Markku Lappalainen was gone from the band by the time of 2006’s Every Man for Himself. Although the album showcased Hoobastank’s continuing sonic evolution, Every Man didn’t have another ballad with the same power as “The Reason,” although “If I Were You” was actually a better, less sappy variation on the model. Consequently, Every Man failed to enjoy the same popularity as The Reason had – still, the album peaked at No. 12 and managed to be certified for gold-level sales.
'For(n)ever':
Hoobastank returned with For(n)ever on January 27, 2009. The album was preceded by the release of the first single, “My Turn,” a snarling riff-heavy track.
Hoobastank Lineup:
Dan Estrin – guitar
Chris Hesse – drums
Doug Robb – vocals
Key Hoobastank Songs:
“Crawling in the Dark”
“Running Away”
“The Reason”
“If I Were You”
“My Turn”
Hoobastank Quotes:
Doug Robb, on the meaning of the band’s name.
“It doesn’t mean anything. And it’s really cool – it’s one of those old high school inside-joke words that didn’t really mean anything, and people started throwing meanings to it and everything, and when we started we were still in high school and it fit at the time.”
Doug Robb, describing Hoobastank’s sound.
“I don’t think it’s very groundbreaking. I don’t think we’re doing something that hasn’t been done before. But I think it’s not very trendy. I think it’s just rock music with good songs and lyrics – lyrics that people can relate to, grab onto.”
Dan Estrin, on the band’s early days.
“When we started out we were really influenced by Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.”
Chris Hesse, on how he got his start as a musician.
“I learned how to play drums listening to Rush albums.”
