“We run on booze and hairspray.” –Austin, Hinder

Let’s be real here, there are two kinds of artists. There are artists that live and breathe the art of making music. They’re interesting and innovative and are out to move you. Then there are artists designed for mass consumption. They have relatively short life spans and while their music tops the charts, its hardly anything memorable or noteworthy. Both kinds exist, and I think both are necessary. Meet Hinder…they’re the second kind. They sound like Nickelback and every other modern rock band out there. They write decent songs that are just catchy enough to make people sing along. It’s pretty mindless. Don’t worry…they’re aware of it.

I talked to Austin recently, frontman for the group (and a neighbor, as it turns out). I just had to know what exactly makes a generic dude rock band tick…and why does it not bother them that I call them that?! “Everything is so serious anymore. We definitely aren’t. We’re just trying to have fun and live out the dream.” And they definitely are, touring with some of the biggest modern rock bands around right now. “We have always been big partiers anyway, so touring like this comes easily,” he says semi-jokingly. Hinder can best be described as ‘the most generic hunk of crap in music’ but that is only if personalities play no role in the equation. For as lame as their music is, they all radiate fun. They’re just out to have a good time, and they welcome you to do the same but could really give a shit whether you do or not. I respect that.

“Our lyrics are simple and the songs are catchy. Who knows how long all this will last?” Well, that certainly is the question. What is the shelf life of a band like this? How long can they continue to tour on mediocre records? If history is any indication, Motley Crue lasted a fair amount of time and had some huge hits that are still considered classics, but I think Hinder are more like the Poison of today, who didn’t have the gigantic hits and didn’t last very long and are now playing the State Fair circuit. Maybe Ratt.

Who knows what’s in the future for Hinder, but for a band that’s all about the present, I don’t think it really matters. I never pictured myself lending my support or giving my approval to a band like this, but I have to say in all honesty, positive attitudes and great personalities can take a band from Oklahoma surprisingly far, and I wish them the best. I don’t think I’d ever buy the record, but I’d throw down for a ticket to the show. I’d even buy the band a round.

Note to readers: buy them beer before the show, afterwards go liquor (ladies, Austin likes the Vodka Tonics)

www.altsounds.com/Hinder