HINDER

Song: Use Me

Combining raw riffs with big hooks and vocal harmonies, Hinder take their cues from rock legends like Aerosmith, AC/DC, KISS, and Guns N' Roses, and update them with modern guitar sounds. Their triple platinum debut Extreme Behavior documented the decadence and strained relationships of these retro rock juggernauts, whose subsequent cover of Steppenwolfs "Born To Be Wild" for NASCAR last year was a natural extension of their lives on the road.

Now they are seeing how far they can push themselves musically and physically with the equally rowdy but more melodic Take It To The Limit. Overall, the album is a potent blend of raucous anthems, melodic rockers, and introspective ballads that invokes the classic rock of the '70s and '80s.

What gives Hinder's music the stamp of authenticity is the wild 'n' wooly lifestyle they lead. They do everything to the max -- downing shots like water, encouraging audiences to "Get Stoned" each night, and partying with Playboy models on the set of their latest video. They even got the stamp of approval from one of their idols, Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars, who shreds on the title track to Take It To The Limit

In spite of excesses that would hamper lesser bands, Hinder's success is driven by pure passion and perseverance. Seven years ago, vocalist Austin Winkler fronted a cover band in their hometown of Oklahoma City, and he met drummer Cody Hanson and guitarist Joe "Blower" Garvey through a fraternity party gig. "I kept on running into them and partying with them," the singer recalls. "Then we jammed. We got together with one song and played it about 75 times. We recorded it on a piece of shit karaoke machine and played it to everybody. They thought it was amazing, even though it was probably the worst sounding thing ever."

While Take It To The Limit offers its share of party hearty rockers like the title track, "Use Me," and "Up All Night," the group also explores some angst in "Loaded And Alone," with the lyric, "He wanted fame, even just a little bit / A shame, he would sell his soul for it."

"I don't want to say we wrote that about a specific person, but there are people who have some success and let it go to their head," remarks Winkler. "They also don't let anybody in and go through life without making any real connection [with anybody] and losing all their family and friends. We meet a lot of people like that in the industry."

Another new song that offers personal insight is "Far From Home," which was written on the road and tackles the subject of keeping a long distance relationship alive. "You can definitely do it, but it is a lot of work," notes Hanson, "especially when you've got so many people out there dying to get into your personal life." The drummer is referring to all the photos, misinformation, and innuendo that spread throughout the Internet at light speed. "I've died two or three times already," quips Winkler. "I look pretty good for a corpse."

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