We caught up with Hoobastank the night of their cd release party and sold out show at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. Chris (drums), Markku (bass), and Dan (guitar) sat down with us. This band is famous in LA for packing houses with their high energy-good time live shows with their fans always singing the words right back at them. When Hoobastank hits your town- make it a point to check out this great group of guys put on an amazing live show!

Noize Pollution: What does the name mean?
Chris: We get this every time!
NP: Yeah, that's what I figured. So, let's break it out first!
Markku: The number one question asked! Actually it's a butterfly from South America or Australia and it emits this odor that's kinda like a defense. I dunno. Is it Australia? Is that where it came from? Some kinda weird butterfly. We got it out of the dictionary- something like that. Just some kind of complete nonsense.
Chris: We sat and looked for 6 months before we had anything down. Going through dictionaries and books. We saw Hoobastank and were like, what the fuck is a Hoobastank? Then, we kinda took it on.
NP: Everyone says it's a weed reference.
Markku: We hear so many references.
Chris: The best rumor - is that it means, "whose butt stinks."
NP: Oh, I've heard that one. I've definitely helped spread that!

NP: We get a lot of new people that show up at the site all the time -for them, how would you describe your sound?
Chris: Rock-n- Roll, baby!
Markku: I'd say it's more like positive rock. I think we're really positive. We don't preach or anything like that. We're pop rock. Have you heard of that band NSYNC? Hahahahaha! We're like them but a little heavier!
Chris: It's just rock. Whatever rock means nowadays. Like the alternative.
Markku: Well, there's so many bands labeled rock. You have your heavy rock - pop rock. I guess we're in between.

NP: How long has the band been together?
Markku: Seven years in January.
NP: We're you friends in high school?
Markku: I knew Dan back in high school- back in the day. Dan and Doug went to the same high school. Dan and I were in a band together then it broke up and in that time Dan and Doug started writing music and lyrics together. Out of the blue, I called up Dan to see what he was doing. So, we all got together and then started looking for a drummer. A few months later we found Chris and seven years later - here we are.

NP: Are there any local (LA) bands that you're a fan of?
Markku: Signed?
NP: Signed or unsigned?
Markku: Pretty much all our friends are getting signed so it's really exciting! Bands like OneSideZero and Hometown Heroes.
Chris: There's a big community like that. We all came out of the same area and everybody got snapped up around the same time. Those are my favorite bands to see- my friend's bands.

NP: One of my reps, Eric from Grand Rapids, MI, wanted to know why you dropped the horn section? Did the dropping of the hornline have anything to do with the changing of the bands spelling? (Hoobustank to Hoobastank)
Chris: No. Absolutely not.
Markku: We started playing different music, we started to get more mature. We started playing rock before it was kinda carnival-ish type music. Bizarre music. But we started maturing in our writing and we started getting more straightforward and there wasn't any room for sax.
Chris: It was a real slow process, too.
Markku: Yeah, it wasn't overnight.
Chris: It was gradual. We wrote a song that we tried to put horns on and it didn't sound as good. We wrote another song then another� and after a little while we got a bunch of songs that we didn't even want to put the horns on to at all because we liked the way it sounded.
NP: Eric also wants to know why you don't perform, "Can I Buy You a Drink?" anymore?
Chris: Too bad he's not here tonight!
NP: Oh nooo!
Chris: Oh, I dunno!
Markku: I don't want to let the cat out of the bag or anything!

NP: Are there songs from your first release, They Sure Don't Make Basketball Shorts Like They Used To on your new album?
Markku: No. Totally different. All brand spankin' new!
Chris: But- we had a three-song demo that we put out awhile ago. It wasn't on Basketball Shorts.
Markku: Yeah, it was more like a shopping tool to the industry.
Chris: We didn't put it on the internet or anything. There are a couple songs from there.
Markku: So, pretty much all the songs are brand spankin new!

NP: As a random question - just thought of now, how long are you going to let that E Card that's on your website which plays the whole album run for?
Chris: I have no idea.
NP: I was wondering because that's pretty cool.
Chris: Yeah, I think it's real cool.
NP: It's not like you can take it off and burn it to cd.
Chris: Right. It's not that good of sound quality.
Markku: It's like advertisement for the album. If it works out, cool.
NP: Are you going to leave it up there for awhile?
Markku: I dunno. That's more like a company kind of thing- when they decide to take it off. We had other songs on it from Basketball Shorts, the company thought it would be best to take it off and start putting the newer material on.
NP: I know some labels feel they need to take that down the day the album comes out.
Chris: Is it still up?
NP: Yeah, it was up today.
Chris: I was on the site- didn't see that part!

NP: When writing your new release, did you notice maturity or a change in style or preparation since it is a major studio/ label release?
Markku: It was kinda bizarre cuz most of the album was written in a six-month period. We got signed and we did the deal - now it was time to write the music. So, we all had ideas we put into a big blender- song after song. We started getting more songs together. We recorded sixteen tracks and we had a lot more to offer but with that sixteen we had to cut it down to twelve. There are four really good songs out there.
NP: What will you do with those four?
Markku: I dunno. Keep them in archives.
Chris: B- sides.
Markku: Maybe for movie soundtracks.

NP: I have been listening to the new album. It is real good. It definitely has a lot of great songs on it- melodic and heavy at times. It's easy to listen to, especially, "Better," "Pieces," "Running Away" and of course, "Crawling in the Dark." Do you think that is the direction in which music is headed? Shying away from screaming and rapping to something a little more listener friendly?
Chris: I think the door has definitely been opened up for that kind of music. Maybe that's why there has been a fair amount of hype about the record for that reason. There is a lot more melodic rock coming out. Less rap rock and more actual music. I think melody is coming back.
Markku: You can't deny a good melody when you're driving around in your car and you just start singing.
Chris: I think that door was opened for us and we kinda slid in at the right time.
Markku: I kinda based off like a 70's Toto or REO Speedwagon but a little bit heavier. Cuz they had a lot of melody. They sang. They were great musicians. They actually composed music. I think that kind of era is coming back but a little heavier with an edge to it.

NP: I read an article from the Los Angeles Times on your website stating Island/Def Jam are counting on releases from Ja Rule, Ludacris, DMX, and Hoobastank. Does reading something like that makes you nervous? Is that extra pressure on your shoulders since it is your first major release?
Chris: That just adds to the excitement, I think.
Markku: They (Island/Def Jam) have been so supportive. They just want a gradual growth- they don't want an overnight band. Island has been really cool about having their bands build a strong fan base for the future. They want a lasting band.
Chris: It is a little strange having the record actually come out- it came out yesterday (11/20) and there has been all this hype. Things like that article being written builds up suspense. It's made me a little nervous cuz if it doesn't come out real strong� there is some expectation but at the same time they treat us so good and are really behind it.
Markku: Another thing, we did release it for the last quarter. Christmas is coming and a lot of the bigger bands get more attention so Island was saying, "Let's put it out there. We'll take it to next year, too." They're not expecting a million albums sold the first week, either, which is a good thing. So, it's all about having a good foundation- good grass roots and that is what makes bands last. All the sudden you're like a Super God and next week you're a "who?" Who are you? What band? Which is scary nowadays. You work so hard to become what you do and then next week your back at the old job painting fences or flipping burgers. So, it's a scary thought.

NP: What was it like to hear "Crawling in the Dark" on the radio for the first time?
Chris: It's weird. It's pretty exciting! The problem was we didn't hear it right when it came out on the radio - we had been on tour for the last month and a half. Our friend's called us everyday saying they had heard it again!
Markku: We didn't hear it until a month after- when we got home.
NP: The first call had to be pretty exciting!?
Markku: Oh Yeah! It was real exciting!
Chris: The song came out two days after the collapse of the World Trade Center -we were all really down and that was the ONE thing that brought us any kind of smile.

NP: What will the next single be?
Markku: That's kinda up in the air still. It all depends on how the record company feels.
Chris: See how sales are, I guess.
NP: If you could pick?
Chris: I'd pick "Up and Gone."
Markku: Maybe "Up and Gone" or "Pieces," I like a lot of the songs on the album. I think they could do well on the radio.
Chris: A lot of people have said, "Running Away" but we wanna save the mellow songs for a little bit later so we can define ourselves as more of a rock band than a sissy band.
Markku: If get that second single.

NP: How were those shows with Incubus? Was that your first time touring the country?
Chris: First time on the East Coast. The shows were amazing!
NP: Where did you go on the East Coast?
Chris: We started in New Hampshire and ended in Florida.
Markku: They (Incubus) are just the nicest guys.
Chris: First show was incredible! Seven thousand people - it was amazing! The most people we had played for were maybe a couple thousand. I guess there's not that much difference -they make more noise. It was amazing.
Markku: We grew up with them and they're good friends. It was like travelling with a big family. We had a really great time! We were all crying after the tour ended. It was split into three "sections," OneSideZero, The Start, and us. We were totally bummed when it was done. We wished we could've done the whole tour.
Chris: We're going to Europe with them in January.
Markku: 311 and Incubus for five weeks.
Chris: The party continues�

NP: When does the tour with Pressure 4-5 start?
Markku: Starts November 29th and that will go until December 22nd.
NP: I interviewed Nonpoint in October�
Chris: We just played a radio show with them.
Markku: In Dallas?
Chris: We didn't get to meet them just their crew. Hahahahaha!
NP: Nonpoint is so nice!
Chris: They're really nice, huh?
Dan: That's what their crew was saying. The crew wasn't getting any per diems and they didn't care because the band was so cool.
Chris: Along with talking about a different kind of music coming in, like the melodic rock, I also think nice guy's rock is coming back.
Dan: Good guy rock.
Markku: The age of asshole rock stars is kinda dying off.
Chris: We haven't really done a tour with a band we disliked.
Dan: There is a scene now, especially in LA, everyone is just so fucking cool. No one is into drugs. No one is running around with tons of groupies. Everyone seems real levelheaded.
Chris: Yeah, mellow- real down to earth.
Dan: Everyone is real friendly it's not some competition. Of course we want to succeed as much as possible but every interview I do, I mention OneSideZero, Pressure 4-5. All our friends.
Markku: It's a family. It's a community. You scratch our back- later on, we'll get on a tour and see what can happen. There is room for music. There is a lot of room for different styles of music. It's not like the music world is so small that only one band will come out on top because people listen and buy different albums everyday.

NP: Nonpoint said that Pressure 4-5 was one of the best bands to come out this year.
Chris: We went out with Pressure 4-5 and a band called CKY - Pressure 4-5 made the tour. They were so cool! Same with the Lost Prophets- those groups of people become instant friends. They're just really nice guys.

NP: Rumor has it that you were on Loveline last night?
Chris: Yeah!
NP: How was that?
Chris: It was fun! Kinda cool. Adam Corolla is a big guy. Not fat but tall. I never realized that.
Markku: He's a great guy! He's funny and good with comebacks.

NP: A few days ago, I e-mailed all of our street teamers that listed Hoobastank in their top ten and I had them send me a question they would like to ask you. I have a few fan questions for you. This question is from
Jared in Stoneham, Massachusetts: What are the two most extremes in your musical tastes?
Chris: You mentioned Slipknot - I love Slipknot.
NP: What do you think of their new album, Iowa?
Chris: You know what- I like their first album better. It (Iowa) gives me a headache. Hahahahaha! When I'm in the right mood it's fucking blaring my ears off in the truck and I love it! I've only seen them once at the Palladium- it was the craziest show I'd ever seen! There are a lot of people in that band and they all go bezerk at the same time - there's just so much energy! I took my girlfriend to the show and before it she just didn't like the song- you know the one that goes, "Fuck this world. Fuck it all. Fuck everything that you stand for" She thought that was just a bad message- you know, the whole grandma thing. So, I took her to the show and after- she is singing the words to the song! Oh, and I listen to Sarah McLachlan, a lot.
NP: So, that's pretty much the same thing, huh?!
Markku: That's definitely from one spectrum to another!
Chris: We all like everything, just about.
Markku: Well, nowadays everyone listens to everything from hip-hop to jazz to rock. There's not just one genre. I guess, in the Eighties there was heavy metal and rap. Now, they kinda combine. Today, you'll hear bands throw in some country-I love Johnny Cash and I also love hip-hop to Roni Size.
Chris: Good music is just good music, you know? The more you're interested and exposed to - the more well rounded you're going to be and the more interesting it's going to make your music as a band.
Markku: I think people are just opening up more.

Evelisse in Brooklyn, N.Y. asks- If you guys were not in Hoobastank what would you be doing?
Markku: I'd be living in Japan.
Chris: (makes imaginary bong rips) HAHAHAHA! Just kidding! Being a musician is number one. I dunno what I'd be doing. Realistically, if I weren't doing this, my next choice would be a surfer. I was never that good at it but I love it! See, in rock-n-roll, you can get away with being a crummy musician and still get pretty far being a surfer you have to be top notch.
Markku: Rock-N-Rollers get away with a lot of stuff! Being a professional athlete you always have to maintain that kind of physical/ mental respect. When being rock-n roll guys - you're SUPPOSED to be an alcoholic or a fuck up! I guess, they just get away with a lot more stuff which is bad.
NP: Kinda funny, though!
Markku: Yeah, it is kinda funny!

Amanda in St. Louis, MO wants to know: What exactly is a "Hoobastank" and how can I apply the word to my everyday vocabulary?
Markku: Today, I'm gonna get some Hoobastank and fuck the shit out of my husband!
NP: Outstanding!

Sandy from Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada wants to know with the sudden success of "Crawling in the Dark" going up the chart, has your sudden and certainly upcoming success taken you by surprise? How has your life back home changed- if at all?
Chris: We're never home.
Markku: We're still humble. We take it day by day. None of us have a really big head or egos.
Chris: Chris: Plus, the record JUST came out, there's nothing to be�
Markku: There is nothing to be comparing it to. I think in a year from now, we'll still be goofy guys that just love playing music.
Chris: Chris: Nothing has changed that much- the single just came out, too.
Markku: We're still a baby band. Ask us in a year!
Chris: We'll see what happends!

*** We just want to thank Hoobastank for taking time out and giving us a great interview especially on a busy night - their cd release party and homecoming show! :)