hoobastanks shadow...

Growing up in Incubus’ shadow, Hoobastank distinguishes themselves by rocking hard their own way. by Brian Baker Since their inception in Agoura Hills, CA in the early ‘90s, Hoobastank has suffered from something of an identity crisis. When you grow up in a community where the local-band-makes-good story belongs to Incubus, and you play a similarly toned brand of shredding pop with a pummeling beat, comparisons are bound to arise. Hoobastank’s claim to singularity is an amazing sense of melodicism that transcends the volume that accompanies it and with their eponymous sophomore album the band is proving that they have outgrown the comparisons to their hometown friends and mentors.

“I’ve known them since ‘93,” says Hoobastank lead vocalist Doug Robb of Incubus. “We used to see them at backyard parties and bar mitzvahs, and not coincidentally, they saw our first show in my backyard. They’ve been super good to us.”

Robb and guitarist Dan Estrin impressed each oth...