Hinder has made a name for themselves with songs that everyone can recite the lyrics to such as “Lips of an Angel”, “Get Stoned” and one of my all-time favorites, “Bed of Roses”. In the past, their music has ranged from just plain ole’ getting drunk and partying to semi-sappy and melodic, love songs. They formed in 2001 and hail from Oklahoma. The band now consists of lead vocalist, Marshal Dutton, Cody Hanson on drums, Joe “Blower” Garvey on lead guitar, Mark King on rhythm guitar, and Mike Rodden on bass guitar. During their many years performing, the band has produced four studio albums that have all had some amazing hits. Their fifth album, “When the Smoke Clears”, is set to be released May 12th, 2015. It is packed with some intense tunes and great guitar and drum riffs that keep pace with what fans have always loved about Hinder. The band and their musical ability is still 100% on point; still kicking ass on guitar and drums. It is no secret that the band has had its’ share of ups and downs over the years, leading up to the replacement of long-time lead vocalist Austin Winkler. Austin had a very distinct voice that was easy to recognize. Their new lead vocalist, Marshal Dutton, has put his own spin on the Hinder sound with his crisp, clear tone. His voice is an unexpected and very appealing addition to their music. It’s a definite change from the raspy vocal sound we’ve all been used to. Though the voices are very different between the two vocalists, the album does not fail to excite the soul of the avid music lover. It was time for a revamp. They are elevating to another level and leaving behind the negative that was strangling them from inside. The key to the band being happy and ready to move forward was to remove the heavy baggage that was attached and dragging them down. Today, I was fortunate enough to speak with Marshall one on one about our southern accents, our lack of golf “game”, how his role with Hinder has changed since 2009, and his thoughts about the future of the band now that the smoke is beginning to clear. What a down to earth and awesome guy he is. He’s very eager to get the new music out to their fans. Whether you love Hinder or have hated them in the past, this new album is great and you should give it a chance. These guys are truly talented. Let them prove it to you.
Interview with Marshal Dutton – Lead vocals/Hinder
By: Leslie Elder Rogers
Metal Exiles: You guys hit the road well in advance of the album, how are the fans responding to the new stuff so far?
Marshal: It’s great and everyone is great. We just came back from about a two week run that was fantastic. There was a bunch of sold out shows. Every place was packed. The crowd was amazing. We were just having a fantastic time on stage. That’s what it’s really about; just connecting with the fans and hanging out and stuff. I couldn’t be happier at the moment. I’m really excited. The fans seem to be really diggin’ the new stuff. So far, we’ve only played two songs. We’re only doing two songs off the new record since it hasn’t been released yet but the two songs that we’re actually playing have been going over great. We’ve played “Hit the Ground” of course because we released that song and we’ve been doing “Wasted Life” which kind of has an anthemic vibe and everybody seems to really throw their hands in the air and get down. From what we’ve shown, I mean, we’ve had some people on the bus here and there and we’ve played some tracks for people and everybody seems to think it sounds great. They seem to be fired up and they can’t wait til’ May.
Metal Exiles: Austin has been gone a while now so what has the reception been for you in the live setting?
Marshal: Actually, once again, that’s an area where I’ve been pleasantly surprised because I expected a lot of backlash. I was actually really nervous. One of the most nervous things that I was feeling when they first asked me to sing was that my voice was completely different and people might not really like that. So far honestly, I’ve probably had maybe two people on that entire run come up to me and say something not so positive or tell me that they missed the old guy or something like that. Most of the time, even when people say things like that it’s never really directed at me like they don’t like me or anything. It’s just that they miss the “old” guy so I’m like, “Well, give me a chance. I’ll win you over”. I actually expected a lot of people to be more hateful and I’m sure people are online. I try to avoid that stuff. That just makes you feel bad. So far though, all the hard core fans have been super fantastic and embracing and kind to me and welcoming so honestly, I don’t think it could’ve gone any better than it has.
Metal Exiles: Everybody knew that Austin had issues but did you ever foresee yourself stepping in front of the mic?
Marshal: You know, not at first. The first time that I filled in and kind of saved the day was, I guess around 2013. That just came really suddenly. I was at a gig playing a show on a Tuesday night and Cody called me and was like “Hey man, we have an emergency. Can you come fill in?” So I went and rehearsed for two days and then I played like three or four shows back to back so it was really sudden. It was kind of nerve racking so I didn’t have a chance to consider that as an option until it was on the table. Even after that, for a while, well, they looked around, they didn’t settle right in and ask me to be the vocalist right away. When they did this time, it just felt really right.
Metal Exiles: Since you’ve been involved with the band for a while, was stepping into the band from the other side of the studio wall a little more natural, especially since you’d filled in before?
Marshal: Yeah, it seemed completely more natural this time because it wasn’t sudden and like I said, I’ve been working with Cody in the studio and the band for a long time so when we write songs and put them together, I would sing like the first pass and do the demo vocals anyway. We were already kind of used to that and used to hearing that so a lot of times after we would record them with other people, it would kind of be a bit of a disappointment I think. We kind of missed the demos. So it kind of worked out and I think it’s cool how it worked out this time. I’ve always loved Hinder, so it’s really an honor for me to be more a part of it now.
Metal Exiles: You have been writing for the band since about 2009. Was doing a full album an issue free affair because they knew where you were coming from at this point?
Marshal: I think I started with them sometime late 2008 or early 2009, yeah. No, no, we had no issues. Cody and I especially write songs together constantly whether it’s for one project or another. He and I actually have a couple of other projects that we do just for fun that are kind of just our little solo projects. We’re very used to writing together and it never takes us long to get into the swing so I would say that putting together an album of music is really no challenge there.
Metal Exiles: What personal experiences were you putting into the writing and what do you want the fans to know as far as where you are coming from with the lyrics?
Marshal: It’s just about a lot of tough times and struggles. You know we all have different struggles. Everybody goes through relationship struggles and stuff like that. I really like the song “Wasted Life”. It’s got a good message to me. It’s a song about anybody who tells you that you’re wasting your life. For one reason or another you hear that all the time because they don’t agree with your particular choices in life so “Wasted Life” is really good for people like that because the message is basically telling them it’s my wasted life and I want to waste it however I want to waste it. That’s one of the messages that kind of stands out to me on the record. There’s this other song called “Foolish Eyes” which I really like. It’s a relationship song about how difficult it is to get over somebody sometimes and how easy it is to not really see the reality of the situation I guess when somebody really has no interest in you but you’re still blinded about it. That’s probably a loose explanation and I’m not sure if that really made sense, but…
Metal Exiles: “When the Smoke Clears” seems to be a reference to the band’s situation. What are your thoughts into where the title came from?
Marshal: It’s absolutely a reference and actually couldn’t be more perfect if you ask me because the band had been unhappy for a number of years there where I think the fun had kind of gone away. There was all this worry and anxiety about whether or not the band was gonna be able to keep going. That was kind of like a black cloud over everyone’s lives; even their personal lives for a while. I think the title “When the Smoke Clears” is perfect because that’s pretty much what everyone feels like now. Everyone is happy again and happy to be playing music and having fun. Now we can finally see the road again.
Metal Exiles: What about the dark idea of “Rather Hate than Hurt”?
Marshal: “Rather Hate than Hurt” is basically about being tired of someone constantly hurting you. You get tired of it to the point that you’d just rather hate them than to deal with the pain of them hurting you. It’s pretty simple and it kind of relates to this situation as well. It’s about other things too, but that’s the jest of it; just being sick and tired of being miserable.
Metal Exiles: Your Pledge Music site is a trove of experiences for the fans; some things that just blew my mind when I saw them; things that just involve the fans so much. Where did some of these come from and what do these experiences mean to the average fan?
Marshal: I know, it’s truly exciting. The label came up with a lot of these ideas and the band did too. We put a lot of cool things on the table. I just thought it was the craziest thing. I was like “how come we haven’t thought of this before”? It’s just amazing. Management threw out some ideas, Career Art, Mark Adelman threw out several ideas so it was just a group effort. I’m sure that if we ever do this again, there are plenty more things that we could come up with as well. We’ve already had a little bit of experience with the Pledge Music so far out on this run. We have already had people come out and introduce us on stage. We had a cook-out for a group of people in Fort Wayne, Indiana I believe and that was really fun. It was kind of cold outside but we just cooked hot dogs and hamburgers and hung out and drank beer before the show. It was a super cool time. Of course there’s a bunch of people that have already signed up for the pub crawl. We’re gonna’ do that with a bunch of people. Stuff like that is really great for Hinder because that’s what we like to do anyway. Ever since I’ve been with this band, out on the road, that’s what they do. They go in after the shows and they hang out with people and they make friends with people. They get to know people that will become familiar faces the next time you come to that area.
Metal Exiles: I saw that one of the options was a game of golf. Are all of you big golfers or is that just something y’all wanted to add for fun?
Marshal: You know what? Everybody in the band is a golfer except for me. We were just talking about this last night because the guys went and played a round of golf yesterday. I’m not actually sure if Mark plays but I know Blower and Cody and Mike are big golfers along with a bunch of guys on the crew; Clint, he’s the light guru. He plays with them all the time. I think Arvil plays. He’s one of the guitar techs and general helper over all. So a lot of the guys play in the group and I was just telling them yesterday that somebody’s gotta’ teach me how to play. Maybe I’ll pretty much just drive the golf cart and drink beer. Laughing, he asked “You can’t get in trouble for drinking and driving golf carts can you”? I think I’ll give it a go and see. The thing is just being out on the golf course and just having some beers, in the sunshine, on a beautifully manicured landscape…I get the appeal, it’s just that for some reason, I’ve never learned. I’m gonna’ learn though. I’m gonna’ participate, even I’m the worst golfer in the world, I’m still gonna’ play. (Metal Exiles: I personally hate golf itself. I love putt-putt and mini-golf but golf is terrible to me. Let me just ride along or drive the cart). Marshall: No kidding. I’m with you 100%. Isn’t it the most awkward feeling thing in the world to swing a golf club? (Metal Exiles: I agree. I’m a baseball fan so I’d rather swing a baseball bat. Living around here, we have the Atlanta Braves, so I’m definitely a huge Braves fan. I like softball and used to play even though I can’t play worth a shit.) Marshall: Softball is a good beer drinking, fun game too. You just kind of get together with your team and hang out and have a good time. It’s an event. It’s something to do.
Metal Exiles: You guys are now on an indie label after being on a major label for years. Did this change your approach or is this a better experience?
Marshal: Yeah, I think that “The End Records” has been one of the best things to happen to Hinder in the last few years because everything had kind of gotten stale. “Universal” had kind of changed its’ formats; not to say anything negative about them but there just wasn’t a lot of attention. Everything was going toward pop music and it felt like there was this shrinking place for Hinder to accomplish anything. I think the label felt that way too. I think coming over here, now the focus is coming back to where it should be. Everybody is super supportive and super involved. I almost forgot what that was like; to have so many people be interested in helping and making things go smoothly so I couldn’t be happier. I know the band would say the same thing.
Metal Exiles: Based on our conversation today, it does sound like the band is at a happier stage for sure.
Marshal: I think we’re all just at a point in our lives where we’re just done with the mess. I don’t want to live with anxiety anymore and I don’t think anyone else does either. It feels good to be happy.
Metal Exiles: Hinder lives on the road so is that the plan for the next year behind “When the Smoke Clears”?
Marshal: I think we’re slowly filling in the summer with dates. The goal is definitely to be out as much as possible and to hit as many markets as we can, as many times as we can. We want to keep supporting the record and band in general, trying to gain new fans while keeping up with old fans. That whole thing you know. I feel like this band is really at its’ best on the road, personally connecting with people. Not just from the stage but being out and socializing with fans and friends that we’ve met. That’s a big plus, so yeah, absolutely, more touring and lots of it.
Metal Exiles: As a band, Hinder has had a great career already and could’ve given up with the departure of Austin, but you didn’t. You just never fell off.
Marshal: I feel like there’s always been a push to keep going with this band. Even since before I was in it. That was always the goal; “Don’t stop”. I’m happy for the band; that they’ve made it and that I could be a part of it now.
As we ended our interview today, we discussed some of the bands that we both enjoy. I have to admit, he has great taste in music, if I do say so myself.
Visit their Pledge Music site to find out about awesome fan package offers, updates, videos and much more @ http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/hinder
Preorder “When the Smoke Clears” on iTunes @ https://itun.es/us/Bhkc6
Preorder “When the Smoke Clears” on Amazon @ http://amzn.com/B00TRQ9NA6
Visit the band website @ http://hindermusic.com/
Follow band on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/Hinder
Follow band on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/hindermusic
Follow band on Instagram @ http://instagram.com/hindermusic
Interview with Marshal Dutton – Lead vocals/Hinder
By: Leslie Elder Rogers
Metal Exiles: You guys hit the road well in advance of the album, how are the fans responding to the new stuff so far?
Marshal: It’s great and everyone is great. We just came back from about a two week run that was fantastic. There was a bunch of sold out shows. Every place was packed. The crowd was amazing. We were just having a fantastic time on stage. That’s what it’s really about; just connecting with the fans and hanging out and stuff. I couldn’t be happier at the moment. I’m really excited. The fans seem to be really diggin’ the new stuff. So far, we’ve only played two songs. We’re only doing two songs off the new record since it hasn’t been released yet but the two songs that we’re actually playing have been going over great. We’ve played “Hit the Ground” of course because we released that song and we’ve been doing “Wasted Life” which kind of has an anthemic vibe and everybody seems to really throw their hands in the air and get down. From what we’ve shown, I mean, we’ve had some people on the bus here and there and we’ve played some tracks for people and everybody seems to think it sounds great. They seem to be fired up and they can’t wait til’ May.
Metal Exiles: Austin has been gone a while now so what has the reception been for you in the live setting?
Marshal: Actually, once again, that’s an area where I’ve been pleasantly surprised because I expected a lot of backlash. I was actually really nervous. One of the most nervous things that I was feeling when they first asked me to sing was that my voice was completely different and people might not really like that. So far honestly, I’ve probably had maybe two people on that entire run come up to me and say something not so positive or tell me that they missed the old guy or something like that. Most of the time, even when people say things like that it’s never really directed at me like they don’t like me or anything. It’s just that they miss the “old” guy so I’m like, “Well, give me a chance. I’ll win you over”. I actually expected a lot of people to be more hateful and I’m sure people are online. I try to avoid that stuff. That just makes you feel bad. So far though, all the hard core fans have been super fantastic and embracing and kind to me and welcoming so honestly, I don’t think it could’ve gone any better than it has.
Metal Exiles: Everybody knew that Austin had issues but did you ever foresee yourself stepping in front of the mic?
Marshal: You know, not at first. The first time that I filled in and kind of saved the day was, I guess around 2013. That just came really suddenly. I was at a gig playing a show on a Tuesday night and Cody called me and was like “Hey man, we have an emergency. Can you come fill in?” So I went and rehearsed for two days and then I played like three or four shows back to back so it was really sudden. It was kind of nerve racking so I didn’t have a chance to consider that as an option until it was on the table. Even after that, for a while, well, they looked around, they didn’t settle right in and ask me to be the vocalist right away. When they did this time, it just felt really right.
Metal Exiles: Since you’ve been involved with the band for a while, was stepping into the band from the other side of the studio wall a little more natural, especially since you’d filled in before?
Marshal: Yeah, it seemed completely more natural this time because it wasn’t sudden and like I said, I’ve been working with Cody in the studio and the band for a long time so when we write songs and put them together, I would sing like the first pass and do the demo vocals anyway. We were already kind of used to that and used to hearing that so a lot of times after we would record them with other people, it would kind of be a bit of a disappointment I think. We kind of missed the demos. So it kind of worked out and I think it’s cool how it worked out this time. I’ve always loved Hinder, so it’s really an honor for me to be more a part of it now.
Metal Exiles: You have been writing for the band since about 2009. Was doing a full album an issue free affair because they knew where you were coming from at this point?
Marshal: I think I started with them sometime late 2008 or early 2009, yeah. No, no, we had no issues. Cody and I especially write songs together constantly whether it’s for one project or another. He and I actually have a couple of other projects that we do just for fun that are kind of just our little solo projects. We’re very used to writing together and it never takes us long to get into the swing so I would say that putting together an album of music is really no challenge there.
Metal Exiles: What personal experiences were you putting into the writing and what do you want the fans to know as far as where you are coming from with the lyrics?
Marshal: It’s just about a lot of tough times and struggles. You know we all have different struggles. Everybody goes through relationship struggles and stuff like that. I really like the song “Wasted Life”. It’s got a good message to me. It’s a song about anybody who tells you that you’re wasting your life. For one reason or another you hear that all the time because they don’t agree with your particular choices in life so “Wasted Life” is really good for people like that because the message is basically telling them it’s my wasted life and I want to waste it however I want to waste it. That’s one of the messages that kind of stands out to me on the record. There’s this other song called “Foolish Eyes” which I really like. It’s a relationship song about how difficult it is to get over somebody sometimes and how easy it is to not really see the reality of the situation I guess when somebody really has no interest in you but you’re still blinded about it. That’s probably a loose explanation and I’m not sure if that really made sense, but…
Metal Exiles: “When the Smoke Clears” seems to be a reference to the band’s situation. What are your thoughts into where the title came from?
Marshal: It’s absolutely a reference and actually couldn’t be more perfect if you ask me because the band had been unhappy for a number of years there where I think the fun had kind of gone away. There was all this worry and anxiety about whether or not the band was gonna be able to keep going. That was kind of like a black cloud over everyone’s lives; even their personal lives for a while. I think the title “When the Smoke Clears” is perfect because that’s pretty much what everyone feels like now. Everyone is happy again and happy to be playing music and having fun. Now we can finally see the road again.
Metal Exiles: What about the dark idea of “Rather Hate than Hurt”?
Marshal: “Rather Hate than Hurt” is basically about being tired of someone constantly hurting you. You get tired of it to the point that you’d just rather hate them than to deal with the pain of them hurting you. It’s pretty simple and it kind of relates to this situation as well. It’s about other things too, but that’s the jest of it; just being sick and tired of being miserable.
Metal Exiles: Your Pledge Music site is a trove of experiences for the fans; some things that just blew my mind when I saw them; things that just involve the fans so much. Where did some of these come from and what do these experiences mean to the average fan?
Marshal: I know, it’s truly exciting. The label came up with a lot of these ideas and the band did too. We put a lot of cool things on the table. I just thought it was the craziest thing. I was like “how come we haven’t thought of this before”? It’s just amazing. Management threw out some ideas, Career Art, Mark Adelman threw out several ideas so it was just a group effort. I’m sure that if we ever do this again, there are plenty more things that we could come up with as well. We’ve already had a little bit of experience with the Pledge Music so far out on this run. We have already had people come out and introduce us on stage. We had a cook-out for a group of people in Fort Wayne, Indiana I believe and that was really fun. It was kind of cold outside but we just cooked hot dogs and hamburgers and hung out and drank beer before the show. It was a super cool time. Of course there’s a bunch of people that have already signed up for the pub crawl. We’re gonna’ do that with a bunch of people. Stuff like that is really great for Hinder because that’s what we like to do anyway. Ever since I’ve been with this band, out on the road, that’s what they do. They go in after the shows and they hang out with people and they make friends with people. They get to know people that will become familiar faces the next time you come to that area.
Metal Exiles: I saw that one of the options was a game of golf. Are all of you big golfers or is that just something y’all wanted to add for fun?
Marshal: You know what? Everybody in the band is a golfer except for me. We were just talking about this last night because the guys went and played a round of golf yesterday. I’m not actually sure if Mark plays but I know Blower and Cody and Mike are big golfers along with a bunch of guys on the crew; Clint, he’s the light guru. He plays with them all the time. I think Arvil plays. He’s one of the guitar techs and general helper over all. So a lot of the guys play in the group and I was just telling them yesterday that somebody’s gotta’ teach me how to play. Maybe I’ll pretty much just drive the golf cart and drink beer. Laughing, he asked “You can’t get in trouble for drinking and driving golf carts can you”? I think I’ll give it a go and see. The thing is just being out on the golf course and just having some beers, in the sunshine, on a beautifully manicured landscape…I get the appeal, it’s just that for some reason, I’ve never learned. I’m gonna’ learn though. I’m gonna’ participate, even I’m the worst golfer in the world, I’m still gonna’ play. (Metal Exiles: I personally hate golf itself. I love putt-putt and mini-golf but golf is terrible to me. Let me just ride along or drive the cart). Marshall: No kidding. I’m with you 100%. Isn’t it the most awkward feeling thing in the world to swing a golf club? (Metal Exiles: I agree. I’m a baseball fan so I’d rather swing a baseball bat. Living around here, we have the Atlanta Braves, so I’m definitely a huge Braves fan. I like softball and used to play even though I can’t play worth a shit.) Marshall: Softball is a good beer drinking, fun game too. You just kind of get together with your team and hang out and have a good time. It’s an event. It’s something to do.
Metal Exiles: You guys are now on an indie label after being on a major label for years. Did this change your approach or is this a better experience?
Marshal: Yeah, I think that “The End Records” has been one of the best things to happen to Hinder in the last few years because everything had kind of gotten stale. “Universal” had kind of changed its’ formats; not to say anything negative about them but there just wasn’t a lot of attention. Everything was going toward pop music and it felt like there was this shrinking place for Hinder to accomplish anything. I think the label felt that way too. I think coming over here, now the focus is coming back to where it should be. Everybody is super supportive and super involved. I almost forgot what that was like; to have so many people be interested in helping and making things go smoothly so I couldn’t be happier. I know the band would say the same thing.
Metal Exiles: Based on our conversation today, it does sound like the band is at a happier stage for sure.
Marshal: I think we’re all just at a point in our lives where we’re just done with the mess. I don’t want to live with anxiety anymore and I don’t think anyone else does either. It feels good to be happy.
Metal Exiles: Hinder lives on the road so is that the plan for the next year behind “When the Smoke Clears”?
Marshal: I think we’re slowly filling in the summer with dates. The goal is definitely to be out as much as possible and to hit as many markets as we can, as many times as we can. We want to keep supporting the record and band in general, trying to gain new fans while keeping up with old fans. That whole thing you know. I feel like this band is really at its’ best on the road, personally connecting with people. Not just from the stage but being out and socializing with fans and friends that we’ve met. That’s a big plus, so yeah, absolutely, more touring and lots of it.
Metal Exiles: As a band, Hinder has had a great career already and could’ve given up with the departure of Austin, but you didn’t. You just never fell off.
Marshal: I feel like there’s always been a push to keep going with this band. Even since before I was in it. That was always the goal; “Don’t stop”. I’m happy for the band; that they’ve made it and that I could be a part of it now.
As we ended our interview today, we discussed some of the bands that we both enjoy. I have to admit, he has great taste in music, if I do say so myself.
Visit their Pledge Music site to find out about awesome fan package offers, updates, videos and much more @ http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/hinder
Preorder “When the Smoke Clears” on iTunes @ https://itun.es/us/Bhkc6
Preorder “When the Smoke Clears” on Amazon @ http://amzn.com/B00TRQ9NA6
Visit the band website @ http://hindermusic.com/
Follow band on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/Hinder
Follow band on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/hindermusic
Follow band on Instagram @ http://instagram.com/hindermusic
