H00BASTANK Hard-rock quartet Hoobastank is smelling like roses these days, thanks to the band's Top 10 second album, The Reason, and the hit title track. We caught up with lead singer Doug Robb and guitarist Dan Estrin.
ON THEIR UNUSUAL BAND NAME "I hate when people ask what band I play in," says Estrin, 27. "It's a stupid name, and I feel like an idiot saying it. I get grossed out. I feel like we should have changed the name years ago. It just kind of stuck. We never tell what it means, but it does mean something."
ON BEING ASKED IF THEY'RE SMELLY "People ask that constantly," says Robb, 29. "You get it constantly at radio stations. They say stupid things like, 'Who brought the stank in?' "
ON BEING COMPARED WITH INCUBUS "They're great guys, and they're a great band," says Estrin. "I've known those guys since I was a little kid. We all come from the same neighborhood [in Calabasas, Calif.]. I went to junior high school with a few of the Incubus guys."
ON THEIR STRANGEST FAN REQUEST
"This girl was asking me to sign some stuff—and she handed me this fake marriage certificate," says Estrin. "I didn't realize until after I signed it."
ON CHEWING THE FAT WITH DAVE GROHL "We exchanged tips about singing with gum," says Robb. "I was like, 'What kind of gum do you chew?' His was a very standard mint gum, like Wrigley's or whatever. I chew a real specific Carefree Koolerz berry flavor. It keeps my throat nice and moist. I've never swallowed the gum, but I choked once in the middle of a song, so I spit it out real fast."
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