Lawrence.com

Post-grunge quartet Hoobastank straight outta high school in '94, back when their main influences -- Alice in Chains and Tool -- were releasing their first acclaimed discs. As you might guess from their choice in band name, Hoobastank steered clear of the gloomier elements of their influences, opting instead for groove with the feel of their suburban California roots. Their accessibility won them gold status for their debut LP in 2001, with the singles "Crawling in the Dark" and "Running Away" being embraced by radio and MTV.Originally formed in 1994 in Agoura Hills, California, USA, Hoobastank broke into the mainstream at the start of the new millennium alongside fellow "melodic metal" or "nü metal" bands Incubus and Puddle Of Mudd. Borrowing elements from groundbreakers such as Faith No More and Tool, the quartet comprises Douglas Robb (vocals), Dan Estrin (guitar), Markku Lappalainen (bass) and Chris Hesse (drums). They began playing primarily around the California area during the mid-90s, including at noted venues such as the Palace and the Universal Amphitheatre. In July 1998, the band issued their debut, They Sure Don't Make Basketball Shorts Like They Used To, a self-produced and financed recording that caused a buzz among several major labels, leading to the quartet eventually signing with Universal Records. Their major label debut, Hoobastank, was released in November 2001 and won over mainstream rock radio and MTV. -- More at hoobastank.com