If Hinder is any example, extreme behavior -- like good old-fashioned sex, drugs and rock’n’roll-- is all alive and well, especially in heartland towns like Oklahoma City, the band’s hometown. It certainly typifies the band’s genesis, back in 2001, when Cody Hanson (drums) and Joe “Blower” Garvey went to a dorm party where vocalist Austin Winkler was fronting a cover band.
“I heard him and was blown away,” says Hanson. There was a kind of charisma, not to mention a unique voice, that struck the two with the force of destiny. They knew he was someone they could make music with.
So they stole him from the cover band with the promise of forming a band that would resurrect good old-fashioned, larger than life, ‘80s kind of rock. By 2004, Hinder had released an EP, Far from Close, on the Brickden Records label. On the basis of their reputation as a great live band, they moved 5,000 copies of the EP and were back in the studio recording demos for their next release.
Before they could finish the album, though, a bidding war broke out among several major labels and, without a lot of hemming and hawing, Hinder soon decided to sign with Universal.
Using producers Brian Howes and Mike Fraser, the band went into the studio with a number of goals. Paramount among them was the hope, as Hanson says, of being the band that would get people into rock again. “Four people singing and putting on a big rock show. We want to bring that back. It would be wicked if we could.”
They pretty much fulfilled those expectations with the album, Extreme Behavior, released in late September 2005. Full of arena rock moments, the album got skewered by some critics (not that the band cared), but made an impact with the public with the singles, “Get Stoned,” “Lips of an Angel” (the best performing single), “How Long” and "Better Than Me."
They solidified their impact with constant touring (with new band members Mike Rodden and Mark King) as the headliners for the Bad Boys of Rock Tour (with Buckcherry and Papa Roach) and as an opening act for their heroes, Aerosmith. By the end of the year, Hinder had every reason to be excited: The album sold almost 2.5 million copies by year’s end.
They feel that their success comes from their enthusiasm and optimism and their willingness to embrace all the great things about classic rock. They did not want to be dark, depressing, obscure or, worst of all, faceless. Instead, Hinder “wanted to go out there and kick ass like they did in the '80s.”
It wasn’t like they didn’t live the lifestyle. Or that they had a problem with rock’s traditional importance on rebellion and having a good time. Rather than pretend not to enjoy it, Hinder is one band that makes no bones about its good fortune. “We've been blessed with the opportunity to play music as a career, so we might as well take advantage of it and have a good time.”
It’s not just the band that has a good time in the Hinder universe. Their fan club, a vibrant community known as the Hinder Army, has no problem being as wrapped up in the Hinder lifestyle as the band. As a result, the website is full of deliciously un-P.C. moments like the weekly catfight, in which two Hinder Army lovelies go up against each other. It’s rock as it was meant to be, full of fun and good times. If the critics have any problem with their brand of extreme behavior, well, that’s the critics’ problem, not Hinder’s.
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I love your music guys. I listen to all your hits on 95.5 fm, which is WIFC out of Wausau. I also listen to the music on 101.1 fm, which is WIXX out of Green Bay, Wisconsin. I hope that all you guys have a great weekend. Is there anybody that writes comments on this page that can answer the following question for me? What foods and drinks does the band Hinder eat before they go on stage for there concerts? Please e-mail me anybody, that can answer this. I would prefer an answer no later than 8:00 p.m. Sunday night, April 13th. Thanks very much.
Hey! - We added a new track to the player called "U Dream". It's YOUR feedback that helps us figure out which tracks go on the new CD so please have a listen and drop off a comment. Tonight I am also clicking VOTES for ALL of our good friends in the You Bring the Talent contest. Please vote for us too if you like what you hear. Cheers! ... Adam
We want to say "Hi" to all of our newest friends on Uber & a huge "Thank You!" to everyone for all of the great comments, messages and votes. It's very encouraging to be a part of such a great community of artists and music lovers. Cheers! ... Adam
holy shit i love you guys u rock! you should come back to WCU at the Ramsey center.. i mean the ticket was 20 but it was all GA and i got kick ass seats! that was an awsome show...keep rocking! peace luv and chicken grease ~!~katie~!~
Saw u guys in atlanta at Jingle Jams 2006 and when i heard that ya'll r comming back for Jingle Jams 2007 I am waiting by my radioo in october or november to listen when ur comming back to get tickets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!
