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."
Slow Down
Hoobastank Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Life can be overwhelming
Always pushing and pulling on me
Away from what really matters
And I keep forgetting to remind myself
I keep forgetting to remind myself
I keep forgetting to remind myself
No one ever said this journey was a race
What's the hurry?
Slow down
I'll go anywhere I want at my own pace
Without a worry
I've gotta slow down
It's never easy letting go
When the feeling is so familiar
Of always being in control
Maybe it's an illusion
Slow down
No one ever said this journey was a race
What's the hurry?
Slow down
I'll go anywhere I want at my own pace
Without a worry
Slow Down
Let go now
Slow Down
Slow Down
Let go now
Slow Down
I hope that it's not too late
'Cause everything's all a blur
On and on
On and on
I hope that it's not too late
'Cause everything's all a blur
On and on
On and on
I keep forgetting to remind myself
The lyrics of Hoobastank’s Slow Down convey the message of taking time to appreciate life and being present in the moment. The singer acknowledges that sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the pace of life and forget to breathe. He recognizes the constant pushing and pulling, which takes him away from what really matters. He reminds himself throughout the song to slow down and take things at his own pace, without worrying about what others may think or say. The journey of life is not a race, and it’s essential to appreciate every moment rather than rushing through it. The singer also acknowledges the difficulty of letting go and being in control. Perhaps the idea of always being in charge is an illusion, and it’s time to release the grip and be present.
The chorus repeats the phrase, “Slow down,” which is a reminder to the listener to take a step back and enjoy life. The singer acknowledges the blurry lines that life can create and hopes that it’s not too late to slow down and appreciate every moment. The song speaks to the idea of mindfulness and taking the time to be present and aware of the things that surround us. In this fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget to take a moment to breathe, and Slow Down serves as a reminder to live in the moment and not rush through life.
Interesting Facts about Hoobastank's song Slow Down:
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I forget to breathe
At times, I get so caught up with the stress and chaos of life that I forget to just take a moment to breathe and center myself.
Life can be overwhelming
The trials and tribulations of life can easily become too much to handle and exhaust us greatly.
Always pushing and pulling on me
There are constantly demands and outside forces that try to manipulate and control my actions and decisions.
Away from what really matters
These distractions often pull me away from the things that are truly important and provide me with a sense of meaning and purpose in life.
And I keep forgetting to remind myself
Despite knowing all of this, I continue to forget to take a step back, reflect, and prioritize my needs and values.
Slow down
The singer realizes that they need to slow down and take things at their own pace, rather than continue to rush through life.
No one ever said this journey was a race
Nobody promised that going through life was a race or that there was a timeline that we must follow. It's important to remember that everyone's pace is different.
What's the hurry?
There is no need to rush and risk missing out on the simple joys and experiences of life by constantly being in a hurry.
I'll go anywhere I want at my own pace
The artist is in control of their own life and can go where they please on their own timeline. They shouldn't feel pressured to conform to societal norms or expectations.
Without a worry
By taking things slow and at their own pace, the artist can live life without worrying about missing out or falling behind.
Let go now
The singer needs to let go of the idea that they must constantly be in control of everything and allow themselves to take a break and just enjoy life.
I hope that it's not too late
The artist worries about the possibility of it being too late to slow down and appreciate life, but they remain optimistic that they can still make positive changes.
'Cause everything's all a blur
Life has been moving so quickly that it's all been a blur to the singer, and they want to take the time to process their experiences.
On and on
Life continues to move forward, but the singer wants to slow things down and appreciate the present rather than constantly thinking ahead to the future.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRIS LIGHT HESSE, DANIEL B. ESTRIN, DOUGLAS SEAN ROBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark The Dark
This song helped my mom through alot at work. She does not really care for Rock but she thanked me for giving her this song.
Layana Rossatto
Cara, hoobastank é muito viciante, putz
Nero_PR
Pena que eles mudaram de estilo com o último álbum, ainda assim, eles têm muito talento. Entretanto, eu sempre vou sentir falta da pegada irreverente dos primeiros álbuns da banda.
Bruno Guerreiro
Um excelente album, para sempre uma gema :)
Renan Santana
Verdade 😎✌️👍
Fernanda
HOOBASTANK LO MEJOR lmL GRACIAS POR EXISTIR... AGUANTE HOOBASTANK ♥
nariatr
wow...!!!! his voice and their music make an incredible combination....
ymir roux
mi favorita de hoobastank <3
PunkieTheGreat
this is very beautiful. it gave me goosebumps.
mmmaxmmm83
My favorite song by one of the best rock bands still around today. Great job on this album...