Complete List Of Hinder Band Members

Feature Photo: Bruteforce7700, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hinder emerged in Oklahoma City in 2001 when Austin John Winkler stepped away from his work singing in a local cover band to form a new group after meeting drummer Cody Hanson and guitarist Joe “Blower” Garvey at a college party. The three quickly began writing original material, and their chemistry proved immediate. They began performing locally at venues like The Blue Note in Oklahoma City, building a regional following before recruiting a permanent bassist.

After recruiting bassist Cole Parker in 2002 during the early recording sessions, the band completed their debut EP Far from Close in 2003 on the independent label Brickden Records. The EP sold approximately 5,000 copies but generated enough interest from major labels Atlantic Records, Roadrunner Records, and Universal Records to create a bidding war. Hinder ultimately signed with Universal Records in 2005, setting the stage for their major-label debut and the massive success that would follow.

Between 2005 and 2012, Hinder released four studio albums featuring Austin Winkler as lead vocalist. Extreme Behavior arrived in 2005 and achieved triple-platinum status in the United States, propelled by hit singles including “Get Stoned” and “Lips of an Angel,” which reached number three on the Billboard chart and charted across the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. The second album Take It to the Limit debuted in 2008 at number four on the Billboard 200 and achieved gold certification status, while All American Nightmare followed in 2010 and Welcome to the Freakshow arrived in 2012.

In 2007, Hinder was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, recognizing their impact on the music scene. The band’s success led to extensive touring, including support slots and headlining tours throughout North America and internationally, building a devoted fan base during the late 2000s and early 2010s through relentless touring and radio support for their singles.

After Austin Winkler’s departure in November 2013, Hinder faced a significant transition. The band eventually recruited Marshal Dutton, who had been collaborating with them as a producer and songwriter since 2009, as their new lead vocalist in January 2015. This marked a turning point for the band’s sound and direction.

With Dutton at the helm, Hinder released When the Smoke Clears in 2015 and The Reign in 2017. In 2024, the band released the single “Live Without It,” their first original song in over five years, reaching number 17 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in February 2025, their first charting position in seven years. Throughout their career spanning over two decades, Hinder has maintained core membership from the original lineup while adapting to lineup changes and evolving their musical direction.

Austin John Winkler

Austin John Winkler was born on October 25, 1981, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and became the founding lead vocalist and primary songwriter of Hinder. Winkler first met drummer Cody Hanson and guitarist Joe Garvey in July 2001 at a college party while he was performing with an Oklahoma City cover band. The three immediately formed Hinder and began writing original material together. Winkler served as the band’s lead vocalist from 2001 until his departure in November 2013, spanning twelve years and four studio albums.

During his tenure, Winkler co-wrote the majority of Hinder’s material alongside Cody Hanson, with the songwriting partnership proving fundamental to the band’s early success. Winkler appeared on the EP Far from Close in 2003, which sold 5,000 copies independently and helped generate label interest. He performed on all four studio albums with Hinder: Extreme Behavior, Take It to the Limit, All American Nightmare, and Welcome to the Freakshow.

Winkler’s distinctive raspy voice became the defining characteristic of Hinder’s early sound, and he served as the primary lyricist for many of the band’s most successful songs including “Get Stoned,” “Better Than Me,” “How Long,” “Use Me,” “Lips of an Angel,” and “Save Me.” The song “Lips of an Angel” emerged as Hinder’s breakthrough hit and remains their signature track, written in approximately twenty minutes in Cody Hanson’s living room. The track reached number one in Australia and New Zealand and number three on the United States Billboard chart, becoming a multi-platinum hit that defined a generation of rock radio in the mid-2000s.

Beyond his primary work with Hinder, Winkler collaborated with the band Tantric in 2013, appearing as a guest vocalist on the tracks “Bullet” and “Fault” from the album 37 Channels. Following his departure from Hinder in 2013, Winkler struggled with personal challenges including substance abuse issues that led to multiple rehabilitation stays. However, he pursued a solo career beginning in 2015 and released his debut EP Love Sick Radio in April 2016 under his own name, featuring guest appearances from Sophie Summers and country singer Jessie James Decker.

Beginning in 2022, Winkler released a series of singles including “SuperJaded,” “Phoneline,” and “American Dreams,” demonstrating his continued commitment to music despite years of personal struggles with recovery. In August 2023, Winkler collaborated with country singer Shaylen on “Lips of an Angel Part II,” a sequel to his most famous song that explored the female perspective of the original track and reached number 45 on the Mainstream Rock Charts. Winkler later released a project under the creative umbrella titled The Founder, and in 2024 released the EP Walking Ded with The Founder, documenting his journey through addiction recovery and personal challenges with raw, introspective songwriting.

The remaining members of Hinder filed a lawsuit against Winkler in August 2017 for trademark infringement related to his solo promotional activities. The lawsuit alleged that Winkler was using the Hinder logo and name without authorization in promotional materials for his fall 2017 solo tour. This marked a contentious end to their professional relationship after more than a decade of collaboration.

Joe “Blower” Garvey

Joe “Blower” Garvey, born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is the founding lead guitarist of Hinder and has been with the band since its inception in July 2001 when he met Austin Winkler and Cody Hanson at a college party. Garvey immediately began collaborating musically with Winkler and Hanson, and as the lead guitarist and co-founder, he contributed to the band’s signature sound by combining raw riffs with memorable hooks drawing influence from classic rock legends including Aerosmith, AC/DC, Kiss, and Guns N’ Roses.

Garvey received his nickname “Blower” based on his personal proclivities and became known as the band’s personality and class clown during their early touring years. He learned to play guitar in high school and developed his distinctive style through dedication and practice, eventually becoming one of the most recognizable guitarists in the mid-2000s post-grunge scene. His approach to songwriting and playing emphasized hooks and feel rather than technical complexity, making Hinder’s music accessible to mainstream audiences.

Garvey performed on every Hinder album from the band’s debut EP, Far from Close, through their most recent releases, with his guitar work defining the band’s sound across all four albums with Austin Winkler and both albums with Marshal Dutton. On the album Take It to the Limit, Garvey collaborated with Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars, who performed a guitar solo on the title track “Take It to the Limit,” representing a significant career highlight for both Garvey and Hinder. Garvey also provided backing vocals on many Hinder tracks, contributing to the band’s vocal arrangements.

Garvey has been consistently endorsed by guitar manufacturers, including EMG pickups and other equipment companies, throughout his tenure with the band. Throughout his career with Hinder, Garvey toured extensively with major acts including Mötley Crüe, Nickelback, 3 Doors Down, Papa Roach, and numerous other prominent rock bands. He remains the primary lead guitarist of Hinder and continues to perform with the band as of 2025.

Cody Hanson

Cody Hanson was born on May 24, 1982, in Plano, Texas, but relocated to Jones, Oklahoma with his family when he was one year old. Hanson received his first drum kit as a Christmas gift at age twelve and immediately fell in love with the instrument, teaching himself to play over the following years. Interestingly, Hanson lost interest in drums during high school and took up guitar instead, not picking up drumsticks again for over two years until Hinder formed in 2001.

While studying business and marketing at the University of Central Oklahoma, Hanson met Austin Winkler and Joe Garvey at a college party where Winkler was performing. Hanson’s business education would prove instrumental in his approach to managing and developing Hinder beyond their musical endeavors. As the founding drummer and co-songwriter of Hinder, Hanson has remained with the band continuously since 2001, making him one of the most consistent members throughout the band’s entire history.

Hanson served as a primary songwriter alongside Austin Winkler for all four of Hinder’s albums released during the Winkler era, co-writing the majority of material on Extreme Behavior, Take It to the Limit, All American Nightmare, and Welcome to the Freakshow. Hanson’s songwriting contributions were essential to the band’s identity, and his drum work provided the foundation for Hinder’s hard rock sound. Beyond drumming, Hanson provided significant production work on later albums, co-producing When the Smoke Clears and The Reign with Marshal Dutton.

In 2009, Hanson founded Back Lounge Productions alongside Marshal Dutton, establishing a professional recording studio in Oklahoma City where they produced not only Hinder albums but also worked with other artists and bands. Outside of Hinder, Hanson co-founded the country duo Drankmore with country singer Jarrod Denton in 2012, releasing singles including “Beer Pressure” in March 2012 and “You Got to Me” in October 2012, with the latter track peaking at number seven on country music charts in March 2013. Hanson also collaborated with Marshal Dutton on the side project Dangerous Hippies, which offered an alternative and pop-leaning sound with upbeat rhythms and catchy beats.

Hanson has been recognized for his contributions to drumming and music production, maintaining endorsement relationships with major drum manufacturers. Throughout his career with Hinder, he has toured extensively with major artists including Mötley Crüe, Nickelback, Papa Roach, and Buckcherry. He remains the active drummer for Hinder as of 2025 and continues to handle production and management responsibilities for the band’s recordings and other musical projects.

Cole Parker

Cole Parker joined Hinder as bassist in 2002 during the recording sessions for the band’s debut EP Far from Close. Parker appeared on the completed EP, which was released in 2003 on the independent label Brickden Records and sold approximately 5,000 copies. On the Far from Close EP, Parker performed bass guitar and provided backing vocals, contributing to the band’s early sound during their formative years.

Parker’s tenure with Hinder was relatively brief, lasting from his recruitment in 2002 until his departure in 2003, making him a short-term member of the band’s history. Following his exit from Hinder in 2003, limited public information is available regarding Parker’s subsequent musical career or professional endeavors. After leaving Hinder, Parker was replaced by bassist Mike Rodden, who was recruited from the Oklahoma City band Shade Seven, solidifying the band’s core quintet that would record their major-label debut.

Mike Rodden

Mike Rodden began his musical career at age fourteen, initially learning to play guitar before developing a passion for the bass guitar. After performing regionally with various bands throughout his teenage years and early adulthood, Rodden joined Hinder in late 2004, having been recruited from the Oklahoma City-based band Shade Seven. Within a few weeks of joining Hinder, the band signed with Universal Records, marking a significant turning point in their career trajectory.

Rodden has performed on every Hinder studio album released since joining the band, providing the bass foundation for Extreme Behavior, Take It to the Limit, All American Nightmare, Welcome to the Freakshow, When the Smoke Clears, and The Reign. He provided backing vocals on select Hinder recordings, contributing to the band’s vocal arrangements. Throughout the band’s touring history, Rodden has traveled extensively with Hinder to support major rock acts including Papa Roach, Buckcherry, and Nickelback on multiple tours throughout North America and internationally.

In interviews, Rodden has emphasized that his primary commitment remains to Hinder and creating music that resonates with their dedicated fanbase, expressing pride in the band’s major albums, particularly Extreme Behavior, which achieved triple-platinum certification. Rodden has been endorsed by EMG pickups and bass guitar manufacturers throughout his tenure with the band. He remains the active bassist for Hinder as of 2025 and continues to contribute to the band’s touring and recording activities.

Mark King

Mark King joined Hinder in 2003 as the rhythm guitarist, coming on board after Cole Parker’s departure from the band. King played rhythm guitar and provided backing vocals during the band’s formative years and through their major commercial success. With King’s addition alongside the continuing presence of Austin Winkler, Joe Garvey, Cody Hanson, and Mike Rodden, Hinder solidified their five-member core lineup that would record Extreme Behavior in 2005.

King performed on all four studio albums released during the Austin Winkler era: Extreme Behavior, Take It to the Limit, All American Nightmare, and Welcome to the Freakshow, as well as subsequent albums with Marshal Dutton including When the Smoke Clears and The Reign. King’s approach to rhythm guitar playing emphasized clean, supportive accompaniment to Joe Garvey’s lead guitar work, specializing in rhythm guitar, piano, and string arrangements that brought musical sophistication to Hinder’s compositions.

King held a degree in music from Oklahoma Panhandle State University, having pursued formal musical education with emphasis in music. He received endorsement from Gibson guitars and Ernie Ball strings, indicating industry recognition of his playing abilities. King toured extensively with Hinder on all major tours throughout the late 2000s and 2010s, performing at venues ranging from intimate clubs to large arenas and outdoor amphitheaters, remaining with the band through at least 2021. Outside of his primary work with Hinder, King has worked as a session guitarist and producer, offering music production services to other artists through platforms like SoundBetter, specializing in rhythm guitar, piano, and string arrangements for various projects.

Marshal Dutton

Marshal Dutton was born on March 15, 1978, in Tulia, Texas, and became the lead vocalist of Hinder in January 2015, following a transitional period after Austin Winkler’s departure. Before joining Hinder as lead vocalist, Dutton had an extensive history in the Oklahoma music scene and beyond, performing in the late 1990s band Carb in Denton, Texas before co-founding the alternative rock band Faktion in 2002 while attending the University of North Texas.

In Faktion, Dutton initially served as lead vocalist and guitarist, though the band later recruited Ryan Gibbs as lead singer, after which Dutton transitioned to lead guitar. Faktion recorded and released the EP Make a Dent in 2004, which attracted the attention of Roadrunner Records, leading to a record deal in October 2004. The band released a self-titled debut album Faktion in 2006, followed by The B-Sides EP in 2007, Ignite What’s Inside EP in 2008, and Crash Ashore EP in 2008, touring extensively including opening for Hinder on the 2006 Girls Gone Wild Tour alongside Rev Theory.

Dutton’s association with Hinder began in earnest in 2009 when Cody Hanson invited him to collaborate as a producer on the band’s third studio album All American Nightmare. During this period, Dutton set up a Pro Tools recording rig in the back lounge of Hinder’s tour bus to produce preproduction recordings, which led to the formation of Back Lounge Productions in partnership with Cody Hanson. Dutton served as co-producer and co-writer on All American Nightmare, Welcome to the Freakshow, and continued this production partnership through When the Smoke Clears and The Reign.

During the summer of 2013, when Austin Winkler temporarily left the band to enter rehab, Dutton was brought in to fill in on lead vocals for a few shows. In 2014, the band experimented with Nashville-based vocalist Nolan Neal, who performed on some tour dates and recorded the song “Hit the Ground” with lead vocals by Neal. However, after receiving negative reviews and determining that Neal’s voice was too country-oriented for Hinder’s rock image, the band decided to pursue a different direction. On January 20, 2015, Dutton was officially announced as Hinder’s new permanent lead vocalist.

Dutton’s first album as Hinder’s lead vocalist was When the Smoke Clears, released in May 2015 via The End Records, which featured ten tracks including the re-recorded song “Dead to Me,” originally a Faktion demo. On this album, Dutton served as co-producer and co-writer alongside Cody Hanson, contributing guitar parts alongside his vocal duties. The band released the acoustic EP Stripped in 2016, which reimagined previous Hinder material with Dutton on vocals, and in 2017, Hinder released their sixth full-length studio album The Reign, self-produced by Dutton and Cody Hanson.

Beyond his work with Hinder, Dutton maintained his involvement in side projects. In 2012, he co-founded the country duo Drankmore with country singer Jarrod Denton, providing lead guitar and backing vocals for the project. Dutton also collaborates with Cody Hanson on the side project Dangerous Hippies, which explores alternative and pop-oriented music as a creative outlet distinct from Hinder’s core identity. Additionally, Dutton released an instrumental rock project with musical partners, releasing the album While the World Slept in August 2022. Dutton continues to serve as lead vocalist for Hinder and was instrumental in the band’s 2024 releases through Evil Teen Records.

Jared Weeks

Jared Weeks is the founder and original lead singer of the rock band Saving Abel, which he co-formed with guitarist Jason Null in 2004 in Corinth, Mississippi. Weeks’ career with Saving Abel gained significant momentum following the band’s 2008 major label debut on Virgin Records, which featured the breakthrough single “Addicted,” reaching number two on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The album achieved gold certification, and Saving Abel established themselves as touring musicians throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, performing on major tours including Nickelback’s Dark Horse Tour alongside Hinder and Papa Roach in 2009.

Weeks briefly stepped in as a touring lead vocalist for Hinder during the fall of 2013, filling in for Austin Winkler after Winkler entered rehabilitation and was unable to continue touring. Weeks performed the remaining dates on Hinder’s 2013 tour after Marshal Dutton filled in for a couple of initial shows. The temporary arrangement was designed to allow Winkler time for medical treatment while allowing Hinder to continue honoring tour commitments to their fanbase. In December 2013, Weeks announced his departure from Saving Abel after over a decade with the band to pursue a solo career, moving to Nashville, Tennessee to record a solo album with producer Skidd Mills and releasing his debut solo single “Love You to Death” in October 2015. Later, Weeks reunited with Saving Abel and returned to the band as their lead vocalist in 2021 after the departure of interim vocalist Scotty Austin.

Nolan Neal

Nolan Neal was born on October 5, 1980, in Nashville, Tennessee, and came from a musical family where both parents were professional musicians. Neal began his music career as a singer and guitarist, eventually releasing several solo albums including The Road to Now in 2006, The Wire in 2013, and NasviLa in 2018. He worked as a songwriter and contributed to other artists’ projects, including writing the song “Unshatter Me” for the band Saliva on their 2016 album Love, Lies & Therapy.

Neal sought recognition and opportunities on reality television talent competitions, appearing as a competitor on NBC’s The Voice during season 10 in 2016, where he performed a rendition of Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” that earned four-chair turns from the judges. He was selected for Adam Levine’s team and competed until the knockout rounds before his elimination. In 2014, while pursuing his music career independently, Neal briefly joined Hinder as a touring lead vocalist during the band’s search for a permanent replacement following Austin Winkler’s 2013 departure.

Neal performed with the band from July through September 2014 as a try-out run, and he appeared on the song “Hit the Ground,” which was recorded with Neal on lead vocals and released on November 24, 2014. However, after negative critical reception and the band’s assessment that Neal’s vocal style was too country-oriented for their rock image, Hinder decided to pursue a different direction. The band ultimately selected Marshal Dutton as their permanent lead vocalist, ending Neal’s tenure with the band before it could develop further.

Following his brief time with Hinder, Neal continued pursuing his solo career and appeared on season 15 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent in 2020, where he performed his original song “Lost,” which he wrote about his personal struggles with addiction and achieving sobriety. Neal advanced to the quarterfinals of the competition with his performance of another original composition “Send Me a Butterfly,” earning recognition from the judges and audience for his emotional delivery.

Neal was open throughout his life about his struggles with substance abuse and addiction, having achieved sobriety in 2010 after attending rehabilitation. However, his brief tenure with Hinder marked a relapse in his recovery journey, as he acknowledged the band’s culture of drinking and partying proved challenging for his sobriety at that time. Despite multiple attempts to rebuild his music career and maintain recovery, Neal continued to struggle with addiction throughout the remainder of his life. He was found dead in his Nashville apartment on July 18, 2022, at age 41. The Davidson County Medical Examiner’s office determined the cause of death as acute combined drug toxicity resulting from fentanyl, morphine, methamphetamine, and acetyl fentanyl. His death was ruled an accident. Neal is remembered for his powerful vocal abilities and his openness about his personal struggles with addiction.

Check out more Hinder articles on ClassicRockHistory.com Just click on any of the links below……

Complete List Of Hinder Albums And Discography

Top 10 Hinder Songs

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