Hoobastank

Hoobastank is an American alternative rock band, formed in 1994, in Agoura Hills, California, with vocalist Doug Robb, guitarist Dan Estrin, drummer Chris Hesse and original bassist Markku Lappalainen.. They were signed for a time to Island Records with which they released four studio albums and an EP. In 2012 they signed a contract with Open E Records, and have released their fifth album, "Fight or Flight". They have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide.

History

Training (1994-2000)

Doug Robb and Dan Estrin met at a music group competition, in that competition they both represented their own institute and competed against each other, but finally they came together to form Hoobastank; shortly after they would be joined by Lappalainen and Hesse. Hoobastank began playing their songs in their native California, the band started at the Cobalt Café with Linkin Park, Incubus and 311.

Muffins (1997)

In 1997 the band released "Muffins", an EP released by themselves, under the name "Hoobustank", said musical work, contained a high style of funk metal and ska punk. (Sound which the band would later change)

In 1998 they released their first album They Sure Don't Make Basketball Shorts Like They Used To also under the name "Hoobustank, and which was also released by themselves. They begin a tour of the west coast of the United States. On this tour they sold quite a few records in the venues where they performed, but the band's success was mainly due to its dissemination via the Internet, especially in countries such as England, Israel, Russia and Brazil.

Hoobastank (1998-2002)

In 1998 the band signed an exclusive contract with Island Records, to be able to publish their first album with a major record label. The band accepts and they also publish their first self-titled album "Hoobastank", soon the singles "Crawling in the Dark", and "Running Away" They began to be played on MTV, and on local radio, both singles had a good position on the Billboard hot 100. The album was certified platinum in the United States, after selling more than a million copies.

The Reason (2003-05)

In 2003 they released "The Reason", whose first single "Out of Control" It could be downloaded for free from its official website. But their biggest success is the single that gives its name to the album, called 'The Reason', which sold more than three million copies in the United States and reached number 2 on the Billboard hot 100. The single also was nominated for a Grammy for song of the year in 2005, the follow-up single, 'Same Direction', reached #9 on the Modern Rock Tracks, and #16 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks. The tour to promote the album extended to the whole world, even playing at the live 8 that took place in Asia. After finishing the tour, Markku Lappalainen, the bassist, leaves the group for personal reasons, the single "Disappear" the last one where he collaborates, to cover Markku's loss, another bassist named Josh Moreau joins the group. The album was certified double platinum after selling more than two million copies.

The band won the MTV Asia Music Award for best rock artist in 2005.

Every Man For Himself (2006)

In May 2006 they released Every Man for Himself, with three singles, "If I Were You", "Inside Of You", and "Born To Lead". A fourth single titled "If Only" was planned to be released, but the decision was canceled for unknown reasons. The album was certified gold in the United States, selling 3 million copies.

For(N)ever (2009-2011)

On October 13, 2008, the song "My Turn", from their fourth album For(N)ever, was released on the radio, which is the first single from This album, they also released the second single 'So Close So Far'. The third single, 'The letter', is a duet collaboration with Australian singer-songwriter Vanessa Amorosi.

Fight or Flight (2012-16)

On April 5, 2012, the band announced on Twitter that the name of their new album was going to be titled "Fight or Flight". On May 3, the band revealed the first single "This Is Gonna Hurt" at https://web.archive.org/web/20120707072952/http://thisisgonnahurt.hoobastank.com/. The album was released on September 11, 2012, and peaked at #68 on the Billboard 200.

To promote the album, two more singles, "Can You Save Me?" and 'Incomplete', accompanied by a tour music video and a lyric video, respectively, were released.

Push Pull (2017-present)

In November 2016, the band began recording for their sixth studio album. They began working with producer Matt Wallace, posted by members Doug Robb and Dan Estrin on Facebook and Instagram. On October 19, 2017, the band had signed with Napalm Records. They also announced that the sixth studio album is finished and is expected to be released in the first half of 2018.

On March 29, 2018, Hoobastank had announced their upcoming album Push Pull. It will be released worldwide on May 25, with pre-orders taking place on April 4, along with the first single 'More Beautiful'.

Musical style and influences

Hoobastank's music has been considered from various genres which are post-grunge, alternative rock, alternative metal, hard rock, nu metal, and previously funk metal and ska punk. On their first independent releases, the band used a funk metal and ska punk sound, they also had a saxophone player in the band. On their debut album, the band used a type of rap for some of their songs, such as "Pieces", "Give it back", among others. The band's sound "matured" on their second album The Reason where they left their nu metal influenced style with their rap-vocals, and their post-grunge style became more melodic.

Hoobastank's influences include: Alice in Chains, Deftones, Guns N' Roses, Incubus, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Metallica, Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Tool.

Curiosities

Apart from their five albums they have also recorded other songs that are found on soundtrack albums from films such as "Spider-Man 2", "Daredevil" and "The Scorpion King", among others. And they also recorded a soundtrack for the video game "Halo 2" plus some other unreleased singles.

The band covered Ray Parker Jr.'s hit "Ghostbusters" ("Ghostbusters"), from the soundtrack of the film of the same name. The video was recorded and uploaded to YouTube.

Mike Shinoda, Rob Bourdon, and Brad Delson of Linkin Park, studied at the same institute, Agoura High School, with the members of Hoobastank.

Initially the band was called "Hoobustank" (which was pronounced the same way as "Hoobastank").

In an interview with Launch Yahoo!, Doug Robb said that the band's name doesn't have any special meaning: "You're going to ask me what it means, but it doesn't mean anything. And it's very funny, it's one of those old high school jokes that don't really mean anything.'

Members

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

• Hoobastank (2001)
• The Reason (2003)
• Every Man for Himself (2006)
• For(N)ever (2009)
• Fight or Flight (2012)
• Push (2018)

EP

• Forward (2000)
• The Target (2002)

Compilations

• The Greatest Hits: Don't Touch My Moustache (2009)
• Live from the Wiltern (2009)
• Is This The Day? (2010)

DVD

• Let It (2004)
• The Cigale (2006)
• Live from the Wiltern (2010)

Singles/Video clips

• Crawling in the Dark (1998)
• Remember Me (2002)
• Running Away (2002)
• Out of Control (2003)
• The Reason (2004)
• Same Direction (2004)
• Disappear (2005)
• If I Were You (2006)
• Inside of You (2006)
• Born to Lead (2006)
• My Turn (2008)
• So Close, So Far (2009)
• The Letter (feat. Vanessa Amorosi) (2009)
• Never Be Here Again (2010)
• Is This The Day? (2010)
• This Is Gonna Hurt (2012)
• Can You Save Me? (2013)
• Incomplete (2013)