The meaning of this band's name has really not been nailed down. The most plausible explanation I could come up with is that Hoobastank is a 'shortened' version of 'Who's butt stinks?' They used to spell it Hoobustank, but according to what I read, that spelling made for a lot of pronunciation errors. The band got so tired of the question that they started to make up answers (one of them said they saw it on the Discovery channel - imprinted on the side of the space shuttle) as to what it means. Whatever the origins, Hoobastank and their self titled (major label) release is a damned good album and worth the purchase.
Many people have said Hoobastank sounds pretty much like Incubus, but aside from the similarities between lead singers, it's hard for me to understand how anybody thinks they sound the same. Hoobastank (Lead Singer Douglas Robb, Guitarist Dan Estrin, Bassist Markku Lappalainen and Drummer Chris Hesse) has a sound of their own. All of the people making the comparison and claiming Hoobastank is an Incubus 'rip-off' are mostly Incubus fans who probably haven't heard more than one song. It's an excellent mixture of straight up rock and roll with a little dose of punk thrown in on a few songs ("Crawling In The Dark and "Too Little Too Late") The lyrics are deal mostly deal with heartache despite the up tempo sound of the tracks, but aren't so 'deep' that listeners cannot relate to some of what Robb sings about.
The best track on the album is clearly "Running Away." It's one of those rare songs where everything just comes together lyrically, musically and vocally, but the other tracks are very good as well. The one thing I did not like is when they tried to mix in these electronic beats. I suspect the producers thought this might make it sound more like other things being played these days, and that is how it comes off — as if they didn't want this crap in there but went along with it. Maybe after the success of this album, they'll have more creative control on their next disc.
.jpg?t=20120527181101)
Article comments
1 - Chuck Pearson
Message is authentic. I must concur.
It's exasparating to see a band with such chops lumped in with all of the other brain-dead nu-metal types, because there is a great deal more talent stuffed in this package than they're being given credit for.
And I know everybody has to have their acoustic/unplugged release lately, but sometimes those acoustic things allow talent that is left hidden by the big amps and over-production shine through. If you can track down Hoobastank's four-cut acoustic EP that is floating around, I think you might find yourself pleasantly surprised, even if you're already a believer in these guys...
Nice one, Jay.
chuck
2 - Amy
well,what more can i say?hoobastank is just hoobastank and they are NOT incubus' rip-off!why dont u try listening to their album..u'll found out that they are BETTER.their tracks are cool too,they can tear u into PIECES.but i just want to LET U KNOW that,TO BE WITH U sucks!!it's too slow...the music and the vocal seems to be..RUNNING AWAY,they dont mixed up perfectly..