Some musicians prefer to create their own music, while others are fine with playing hits made famous by other musicians. Some have tried it both ways.
In Oklahoma, singer-songwriter Austin Winkler was singing in a cover band around the Oklahoma City area, and in 2001, he decided it would hinder his creativity to continue doing what he was doing.
Winkler formed his new band in 2001, naming it Hinder and enlisting drummer Cody Hanson and guitarist Joe Garvey. After working as a trio for two years, they added two more musicians: bassist Mike Rodden and rhythm guitarist Mark King. In only four years, the band was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
“That was a huge honor,” Hanson says, “especially with all the talented musicians coming from the state of Oklahoma, including Woody Guthrie, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire and on and on. And we got to play alongside some that made it in, even though our music is definitely not country or folk. It’s just rock ’n’ roll.
“It’s been great to be in a rock band from Oklahoma. It was a chance to be the band we wanted to be, where we didn’t have to follow any trends.”
Extreme Behavior, Hinder’s debut major label album, came out in 2005, followed by Take It to the Limit in 2008, All American Nightmare in 2010 and Welcome to the Freakshow in December. And though Hinder prefers to do its own music, the band was more than happy to record its version of Steppenwolf ’s legendary road anthem, “Born to Be Wild,” when invited by NASCAR to do the song. (While the band was filming the video, Winkler met actress/model Jami Miller, and the couple married in July 2008.)
“In April, we’re going to do a halftime show for the NBA,” Hanson says. “Mark, our guitar player, is the big NBA fan, and he’s already played the national anthem on acoustic guitar at an Oklahoma City Thunder game.”
Hinder has toured with or opened shows for Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Rev Theory, 3 Doors Down, Trapt, Motley Crue, Theory of a Deadman, Black Stone Cherry, Nickelback, Seether and Saving Abel.
Though Hinder tours heavily, the band may not be eager to do a show in Jonesboro, where Winkler was arrested in December 2007, on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, as he left his own engagement party. Hanson did not know how or whether the case was resolved, but notes that Hinder will not be able to avoid returning there in any event.
“His wife is from there,” Hanson says.
Hinder
Opening acts: Aranda, Acid
ic, The Revolutioners
9 p.m. today, Juanita’s, 614
President Clinton Ave.,
Little Rock
Admission: $25
(501) 372-1228
Weekend, Pages 33 on 03/21/2013