Vocalist Doug Robb met with guitarist Dan Estrin in a high school battle of the bands competition and decided to form a band. They recruited Markku Lappalainen and Chris Hesse to form Hoobastank. In an interview with Yahoo's Launch, Doug Robb said the name had no particular meaning. "You're going to ask me what it means. 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." Rob Bourdon of Linkin Park attended the same high school as the members of Hoobastank.
Hoobastank started playing gigs in their local area and, with their unique saxophone section headed by Jeremy Wasser, recorded a self-released album called They Sure Don't Make Basketball Shorts Like They Used To in 1998. By this stage, they had developed a strong reputation in Southern California. This attracted interest from Island Records who signed the band in 2000. The bands reputation grew further on tours with the similar sounding band Incubus who come from the same area of Los Angeles and Alien Ant Farm.
Hoobastank released their self-titled debut in November 2001. The first single was Crawling in the Dark which was a breakthrough hit reaching #68 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 on the modern rock chart, #8 on the mainstream rock chart and #1 on an MP3.com download chart in early 2002. The second single Running Away was even more successful reaching #44 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on the modern rock chart, #9 on the mainstream rock chart and #3 on the MP3.com download chart. The Hoobastank album went platinum on the back of these hits and reached #25 on the Billboard 200 album charts and #1 on the Billboard Heatseeker chart. The album also achieved recognition internationally with the album touring in Europe and Asia in support of the record. Remember Me, the third single, was a moderate hit reaching #23 on the modern rock charts and #9 on the mainstream rock charts.
The band entered the studio in 2003 with producer Howard Benson who has produced records by P.O.D., Cold and The Crystal Method. However, recording was disrupted for a month when Dan Estrin was seriously injured in a freak minibike accident in August. Estrin had recovered by October and the band headed off on a Nokia Unwired Tour with The All-American Rejects and Ozomatli in November.
Their second album The Reason was released in December 2003. The first single Out of Control was made available for download on the band's website. Doug Robb says on the band's website: "A lot of it is about asking questions or questioning all that people see. It's not all about religion. 'Out of Control' is about that and about opening your eyes after being blinded by being devoted to anything." [2] "Out of Control" would reach #9 on the US modern rock chart, #16 on the mainstream rock chart and #16 on a composite world modern rock chart (based on the US, Germany, the UK, Sweden, Finland, Canada and Australia). The Reason initially reached a peak of #45 on the Billboard 200.
The title track was released as a single in the first half of 2004. It became a massive hit reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 (chart proof), #1 on the US and world modern rock charts, #1 on a world airplay chart in May 2004, #10 in Australia and #12 in the UK. The Reason album received a new lease of life on the US album charts reaching #3 on the Billboard 200.
Additionally, on 15 June 2009, the band played a prank on Iranian protesters and their supporters during the 2009 Iranian election protests using the popular Web 2.0 service Twitter and the shock image Goatse, featuring a naked man stretching his anus to a large size with both hands, with the inside of his rectum clearly visible. While thousands of protesters used the Twitter service to rapidly spread information on street level protests and the shocking behavior of pro-government militias and security forces, Hoobastank allegedly spread links to the image disguised as relevant news items and twittered them to thousands of their fans and followers. The punk rockers have since announced their satisfaction with the number of the political enthusiasts having viewed the image unintentionally (over 2 million, according to the site's usage statistics). As of June 2009, Twitter's verification system for celebrities has not officially validated either twitter account.
Seven Amazingly Fascinating Things About Hoobastank
1) Guitarist Dan Estrin has a great story involving brain surgery and a catheter.
In 2003, during the band's tour for its multi-platinum second album The Reason, Estrin made a fateful purchase. "Everyone in the band rides street bikes and motocross bikes," says the guitarist. "I was fucking around on a mini-bike that I just bought. I was riding one around after a show ... and I smashed my head into concrete." The result? "They had to cut my head open. I just remember, before the surgery, I had two fears: they'd have shave my head and I'd wake up with a catheter in me. So I wake up, and lo and behold, my head's shaved and there's a tube in my dick."
2) There are flutes and seven minute songs on the new album (blame Pink Floyd).
If you liked the infectious pop-rock stylings of the last two Hoobastank albums, you'll enjoy Every Man for Himself just as much, if not more. That said, Every Man does offer up some variety, even while maintaining the band's core sound. The epic "More Than a Memory", for example, features flutes, accordion, chimes and trumpets. "I was listening to a lot of Pink Floyd at the time, especially The Wall," remembers Estrin. "I like albums, and songs, that take you on a journey, that almost come across as a movie. And that song definitely does - it's like Floyd, the Beatles, and even tails off like "Sir Psycho Sexy," that old Red Hot Chili Peppers song. I just like applying lessons from bands I admire."
3) Did we mention the Journey influence?
Listen to "Moving Forward" and prepare to recognize a very familiar classic rock refrain. "We wrote that song when Doug was driving one day and heard Journey's 'Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin' on the radio," says Estrin. "We like Journey; we're not huge fans, but I really liked that 'na na na na' part of the song." He laughs. "I don't think it's stealing. We made it our own style."
4) Music critics despise them. The feeling is mutual.
"The album comes out in April. I expect we'll do some shows, meet fans, and have critics ready to tear it apart," says Robb. "Honestly, I want to go 'fuck it, it's not for you, it's for me and the guys in the band.' If we're happy with it, that's what counts. We get a lot of shit because we don't go out of our way to be 'different' ... we're just trying to be who we are. And that's actually the theme of the album - being yourself."
5) Speaking of message boards, you can find a lot of fun, weird stuff about Hoobastank on theirs... and some of it might be true.
* Dan used to be a roadie for Incubus.
* Chris worked in a plant nursery for 5 years.
* Doug and Dan used to be counselors at the YMCA.
* The name of the band? It's the "H" in Jesus H. Christ. At least, that's what Doug will tell you.
6) That's a real drill sergeant on the album. He's there for a reason.
"Born to Lead" features the barking cadence of Sgt. Dale Guy. "I wouldn't want him there all the time, but he was cool," says Robb. "The song was about people wishing and praying for things instead of doing something to accomplish their dreams. It's about getting off your ass, and I think the Sarge added a lot to the song's vibe."
7) They recorded Every Man for Himself in a really backward, inefficient, grueling kind of way.
The band started work on the album during Hooba's last mega-tour. Estrin would come up with musical ideas during sound checks, then record a demo later, hand it off to Doug for melodies and lyrics, and finally, fly home with the whole band to record the finished product during non-tour weekends. "It wasn't an ideal way of doing things," admits Robb. "But I think, strangely, it affected us in a positive way. Maybe it was the energy of being on tour, but I think the results came out far better than our previous two records."
Running Away
Hoobastank Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And leave your own life collecting dust
And I don't want you to feel sorry for me
You never gave us a chance to be
And I don't need you to be by my side
And tell me that everything's all right
I just wanted you to tell me the truth
So why are you running away?
Why are you running away?
I did enough to show you that I
Was willing to give and sacrifice
And I was the one who was lifting you up
When you thought your life had had enough
And when I get close you turn away,
There's nothing that I can do or say
So now I need you to tell me the truth
You know I'd do that for you
So why are you running away?
Why are you running away?
Is it me? Is it you?
Nothing that I can do
To make you change your mind
Is it me? Is it you?
Nothing that I can do
Is it a waste of time?
Is it me? Is it you?
Nothing that I can do
To make you change your mind
So why are you running away?
Why are you running away?
(what is it I have to say?)
So why are you running away?
(to make you admit you're afraid)
Why are you running away?
The lyrics of Hoobastank's song Running Away appear to be directed towards a person who has decided to give up on a relationship that seems to have failed. The singer is expressing his feelings towards this person, who is trying to run away and leave their own life behind instead of facing reality. He pleads for the truth, wanting the other person to tell him the real reason why they're running away rather than just giving up. He tries to make the other person understand that he had given his best to make the relationship work, hoping that they can find a path to make things right.
The lyrics reveal the emotions of someone who is heartbroken and frustrated by the other person's lack of interest in the relationship. The singer acknowledges that he cannot force the other person to stay, but still, he is confused and unsure about the reason behind their sudden disappearance. He is willing to listen and accept the truth, but the other person's actions remain a mystery to him.
These lyrics reflect the feeling of insecurity, confusion, and uncertainty that can accompany a relationship in crisis. Through the use of powerful and emotive language, the singer expresses his frustration and disappointment that comes with not knowing why things fell apart. The song's chorus emphasizes this reality, with the repetition of the question, "Why are you running away?" suggesting a sense of desperation and sadness.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want you to give it all up
I don't want you to abandon your life and dreams for me.
And leave your own life collecting dust
I don't want you to neglect your own life and dreams while you focus on our relationship.
And I don't want you to feel sorry for me
I don't want you to pity me, but to be honest with me.
You never gave us a chance to be
I feel like our relationship never had a fair chance to grow and succeed.
And I don't need you to be by my side
I don't depend on you for my own happiness and well-being.
And tell me that everything's all right
I don't need you to lie to me or pretend that everything is okay.
I just wanted you to tell me the truth
I just want you to be honest with me, even if it's difficult or uncomfortable.
You know I'd do that for you
I have always been truthful with you, and I hope you can do the same for me.
So why are you running away?
I don't understand why you are avoiding me and our relationship.
I did enough to show you that I
I feel like I have put in effort to make our relationship work.
Was willing to give and sacrifice
I was willing to put in time, energy, and resources to make us work.
And I was the one who was lifting you up
I supported you and helped you through difficult times.
When you thought your life had had enough
I was there for you when you felt like giving up.
And when I get close you turn away,
Every time I try to get closer to you, you push me away.
There's nothing that I can do or say
I feel powerless to change the situation or make things better between us.
So now I need you to tell me the truth
I need you to be honest with me about how you feel and what you want.
Is it me? Is it you?
I'm not sure if the problem is me, you, or both of us.
Nothing that I can do
I feel helpless to fix the situation or make things better.
To make you change your mind
I don't know how to make you change your current thoughts and feelings.
So why are you running away?
I still don't understand why you are avoiding me and our relationship.
(what is it I have to say?)
I don't know what I can say or do to make you see things differently.
So why are you running away?
I'm still trying to figure out why you are avoiding me.
(to make you admit you're afraid)
Maybe you are afraid of something, and I want you to feel comfortable admitting that to me.
Why are you running away?
I hope that we can work things out together, rather than just avoiding each other.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DOUGLAS ROBB, DANIEL ESTRIN, MARKKU LAPPALAINEN, CHRIS HESSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bennytanner1962
@@t-dogtyler3626 I just checked them out and they are badass !
So they are an unsigned independent band !
Trust me Rock music is my life and I am really sad and pissed off to say that I agree. It seems like the music that has the most talent like Rock doesn't get credit anymore.
Singers that isn't worth 2 cents of talent like Taylor fucking Swift or Jay-Z's ass gets credit on ! smh
But I'll say this for gardless I don't care how popular this Rap / Pop bullshit is.
Rock music will NEVER DIE !
To tell you the truth I think in the future this Rap / Pop shit will die off and Rock Music will actually continue and win at the end of the day.
Like look how The Rolling Stones are still killing it after 30 or 40 years from the 50s or 60s when The Rolling Stones first started and till this day they are still Rocking !
So to tell you the truth man. I don't care how popular this Rap and Pop shit is. Rock music isn't gonna die.
Music that has a lot of talent will never die !
@syedriazuddin5509
We don't search for old songs...
we search for old memories.
@ThePsychedelicCinema
Nah, we also search for old songs
@azwarnurul9683
same as that
@xxLonniexx
I searched for this tho... ah btw, nice stolen comment.
@dyeph104
nailed it!
@BINODBUDHA-eq6gv
And I'm Exploring, and I like these songs so much ❤️
@oshikurutensai8206
Even as an adult, this song hits and feels so relevant.
@antonacar8106
listening atm bro :D
@Ronnie72497
Didn't understand it as a kid but grown up I understand it clearly
@zanytobbs
This is my new hobby going through old videos of great music, almost to release the tension of hearing the same poppy / rap stuff