Hinder Bassist Mike Rodden Talks to Suite 101
Rodden Discusses the Band's Music and Life in the Spotlight
Since forming in 2001, rock band Hinder has enjoyed a quick rise to fame. The band’s 2005 debut album, Extreme Behavior, saw triple-platinum sales. The group’s power ballad, “Lips of An Angel,” shot to the top of the charts, where it remained for 28 weeks. The band’s sophomore release, Take It to the Limit, has shown similar popularity with fans.
Currently touring with Nickelback, Hinder bassist Mike Rodden took time to discuss the band’s sudden rise to fame with Suite 101.
Hinder’s Origination
Suite 101: Can you give the readers an idea of how Hinder got together?
Rodden: In 2001, Cody [Hanson, drums] and ‘Blower’ [Joe Garvey, guitar] met in college in Oklahoma. They were throwing parties and Austin’s [Winkler, vocals] band came out to play. They liked his voice and kept running into him at parties. Finally, they got together, started jamming, and came up with a bunch of songs. From there, they went to Canada, in 2003, with the intention of making an independent album.
It ended up being really good and the producer, Brian Howes, wanted to make it more than that. They came back to Oklahoma City and picked up Mark [King, guitar] and me. We started shopping it around, got signed, and have been touring ever since.
Suite 101: Hinder was signed rather quickly. What was that like?
Rodden: It was intense because it happened so fast. We had three labels battling over us. It was really intense and very quick. We were all in a daze. When we finally signed the papers, it was a pretty good feeling.
Suite 101: How has the sudden rise to fame affected you?
Rodden: We appreciate it more than anything. We haven’t really changed as people. The fact that people really do care and want to take pictures with us or whatever is pretty flattering and we appreciate it. The bad times will be when people don’t care. That’s when we’ll start to worry.
Hinder’s Tour with Nickelback, Papa Roach, and Saving Abel
Suite 101: Right now, you’re touring with Nickelback, Papa Roach, and Saving Abel. What has it been like to tour with them?
Rodden: We toured with Nickelback in 2006 before “Lips of an Angel” really took off; I think that’s a contributing factor to why it did. We were really grateful to have that tour. We’ve done numerous tours with Papa Roach too. We’re getting along and it’s just a big party because we’re all friends. It’s a good time.
Suite 101: What kind of response are you getting from the fans?
Rodden: It’s been really good. We play right before Nickelback, so everybody is all warmed up from Papa Roach and Saving Abel. They’re ready to rock. It’s been great. There are, on average, about 20,000 to 30,000 people there a night, and they’re all having a great time. The fans have been going crazy for us and we appreciate it.
Rodden’s Life on the Road
Suite 101: Many people may look at you and think, “They have this amazing life.” It seems like you are away from your friends and family quite a bit though. Is that hard, and how do you keep up those connections with your loved ones when you are away so much?
Rodden: It is hard. We’re on the road for about ten to eleven months out of a typical year, and it’s hard. You don’t ever get to see your friends. People think we’re living this fantasy life, but there are parts of it that are hard; that’s the part. I’m not complaining at all, but it’s hard being away from your family and friends. We try to keep in touch with them on Skype and on the phone, and talk to them as much as possible. That’s all you really can do.
Want more of Mike Rodden? Fans can purchase tickets for the remaining tour dates through Ticketmaster. Check out Hinder’s website for detailed information on the band, or read more of Rodden's thoughts on the band’s music, success, and future.
Hinder's Take It to the Limit
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