
Feature Photo: ChrisJamesRyanPhotography / Shutterstock.com
Hoobastank is one very cool band. They were formed in 1994 in Agoura Hills, California. The band has released six studio albums: They Sure Don’t Make Basketball Shorts Like They Used To (1998), Hoobastank (2001), The Reason (2003), Every Man for Himself (2006), Fornever (2009), Fight or Flight (2012), and Push Pull (2018). They have also released several live albums and compilations.
Hoobastank gained significant popularity with their second album, The Reason, which included the hit single “The Reason,” reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The band has been nominated for multiple awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The current lineup includes Doug Robb on vocals, Dan Estrin on guitar, Chris Hesse on drums, and Jesse Charland on bass. Hoobastank’s music is known for its blend of alternative rock, post-grunge, and nu-metal elements.
The following listing was compiled by Brendan
HOOBASTANK STUDIO ALBUMS
Earliest Known Song (1994/1995) (UNRELEASED)
There is a song that is supposedly one of the first songs written by Doug Robb and Dan Estrin. I have heard of 2 titles for it. It is called The Grey Mushroom / Mushroom Soup. There’s not a lot known about it because it’s pretty much lost media at the moment.
Untitled Demo #1 (1995)
- A Night In The Life Of Avenue 120 (4:23)
- Secret Life (4:13)
- Thief (4:44)
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums, Markku Lappalainen: Bass
Untitled Demo #2 (1995)
- Pee Wee (3:01)
- Supper For Dinner (3:47)
- My Worst Nightmare (4:10)
- TV God (4:56)
- Naked Jock Man (4:42) (This is a demo version, not the same as the version on the Basketball Shorts album)
Select versions of the Untitled Demo #2 Cassette came with bonus tracks:
- The Dance That Broke My Jaw (4:11) (This is a demo version, not the same as the version on the Basketball Shorts album)
- A Night In The Life Of Avenue 120 (4:23) (Same song from Untitled Demo #1)
- Mystery Caller (No correct runtime since the only version available online has the ending cut off)
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums, Markku Lappalainen: Bass, Jeremy Wasser: Saxophone
1995 Demo Song (UNRELEASED)
There is a song from Hoobastank’s earlier days when they were spelled as “Hoobustank”. That song is Will Glam. It’s an unreleased demo with a runtime of 3:18, and it’s unknown where it comes from. The person who gave me the file for the song says it comes from a cassette they copied from a friend that contained early Hoobustank and Incubus songs.
(Please note that “1995 Demo Song” is not an album title.
Muffins (1997)
- Invisible (4:06)
- Pee Wee (3:01) (Same version from Untitled Demo #2)
- Educated Fool (3:44) (Same version on Basketball Shorts)
- Naked Jock Man (4:42) (Same version from Untitled Demo #2)
- The Dance That Broke My Jaw (4:11) (Same version on Basketball Shorts)
- Prank Call To Cobalt Café (2:48)
- Show Me Your Titz (2:42)
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums, Markku Lappalainen: Bass, Jeremy Wasser: Saxophone
Skafest 97 (1997)
- Naked Jock Man (4:24)
- Educated Fool (4:29)
- Mystery Caller (4:42)
- Pee Wee (3:09)
- Will Glam (3:50)
- Karma Patrol (4:06)
- Viva La Beeva (4:06)
- Invisible (4:42)
- The Dance That Broke My Jaw (4:27)
All songs on this CD are Live songs. Will Glam and Viva La Beeva are exclusive to this CD (not counting the Will Glam demo recording because it’s not believed to be officially released).
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums, Markku Lappalainen: Bass, Jeremy Wasser & Derek Kwan: Saxophone
Untitled Demo #3 (1998)
- Karma Patrol (3:28)
- Earthsick (3:51)
- Naked Jock Man (3:25)
- The Mirror (3:42)
All songs on this EP are the same songs from the Basketball Shorts Album.
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums, Markku Lappalainen: Bass, Jeremy Wasser: Saxophone
They Sure Don’t Make Basketball Shorts Like They Used To
Released 1998
They Sure Don’t Make Basketball Shorts Like They Used To is Hoobastank’s debut album, released independently in 1998. The album showcases the band’s early blend of funk metal and alternative rock. It was recorded in Simi Valley, California, during 1997. Although it did not chart on Billboard, it laid the groundwork for the band’s future success.
The album featured Doug Robb on vocals, Dan Estrin on guitar, Markku Lappalainen on bass, and Chris Hesse on drums. It was produced by the band and engineered by Jim Wirt.
CD Track Listings:
- “Earthsick” – 4:32
- “Foot in Your Mouth” – 4:56
- “Naked Jock Man” – 3:53
- “Our Song” – 5:10
- “The Dance That Broke My Jaw” – 4:31
- “Magic Carpet Ride” – 4:08
- “The Mirror” – 4:51
- “Educated Fool” – 5:12
- “Stuck Without a Voice” – 4:33
- “Can I Buy You a Drink?” – 5:25
- “Du Hast” – 4:20
Hoobustank (2000)
- Ready For You (3:06)
- Up And Gone (3:18)
- Hello Again (3:03)
- Pieces
- Let You Know (3:44)
Not to be confused with the 2001 Hoobastank self titled album, this is a Demo EP that released in 2000. Judging by the spelling of the band’s name, it was released around the time they changed the spelling to “Hoobastank”. All of the songs are demo versions and the same songs found on Forward. Pieces is the only song that isn’t found on Forward, and I can’t provide a runtime because it’s the only track I can’t locate online.
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums, Markku Lappalainen: Bass
Hoobastank
Released 2001
Hoobastank is the band’s self-titled major-label debut album, released on November 20, 2001. The album features a polished nu-metal and alternative rock sound, leading to significant commercial success. It was recorded at 4th Street Recording in Santa Monica, California, between 2000 and 2001. The album peaked at number twenty-five on the Billboard 200 chart.
The album featured Doug Robb on vocals, Dan Estrin on guitar, Markku Lappalainen on bass, and Chris Hesse on drums. It was produced by Jim Wirt and engineered by Ryan Boesch.
CD Track Listings:
- Crawling In The Dark (2:55)
- Remember Me (3:34)
- Running Away (2:58)
- Pieces (3:15)
- Let You Know (3:39)
- Better (2:53)
- Ready For You (3:07)
- Up And Gone (3:21)
- Too Little Too Late (3:15)
- Hello Again (3:02)
- To Be With You (4:02)
- Give It Back (2:58)
Japanese Bonus Tracks:
- Losing My Grip (3:57)
- The Critic (4:14)
20th Anniversary Bonus Tracks
- Never Saw It Coming (3:21)
- Open Your Eyes (3:46)
- Running Away (Acoustic) (3:01)
- Up And Gone (Acoustic) (3:35)
- Crawling In The Dark (Acoustic) (3:09)
- Ready For You (Acoustic) (2:57)
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums, Markku Lappalainen: Bass
Forward (2001) Unreleased
- End Of Our Rope (3:29)
- Paper Promises (3:10)
- Divine (4:47)
- Now Or Never (4:14)
- Tin Walls (5:18)
- Let You Know (3:44) (This is a demo version)
- The Critic (4:14)
- Never Saw It Coming (3:21)
- Open Your Eyes (3:46)
- Losing My Grip (3:57)
- Ready For You (3:06) (This is a demo version)
- Up And Gone(3:18) (This is a demo version)
- Hello Again (3:03) (This is a demo version)
- Right Before Your Eyes (3:29)
Tracks 1 through 5 are brand new for this album and can’t be found elsewhere. A cover of Rod Stewart’s Do Ya Think I’m Sexy was recorded around the same time as these songs. The cover would be rerecorded and released with The Reason’s 20th Anniversary album.
Tracks 7 – 10 & 14 are the same as songs that would later be released with the Target EP, the Hoobastank album, and The Reason.
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums, Markku Lappalainen: Bass
Target EP (2002)
- The Critic (4:14)
- Never Saw It Coming (3:21)
- Open Your Eyes (3:46)
- Running Away (Acoustic) (3:01)
- Up And Gone (Acoustic) (3:35)
- Crawling In The Dark (Acoustic) (3:09)
- Ready For You (Acoustic) (2:57)
This was an EP exclusive to Target stores in the United States. Some songs were used as bonus tracks on the Reason album in 2003, and all of them were released with the Hoobastank self-titled album’s 20th Anniversary release in 2021.
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums, Markku Lappalainen: Bass
Santa’s Coming (2002
This was not an album, but a non-album song released with Kevin & Bean’s Fo’ Shizzle St. Nizzle in 2002. The song has a runtime of 3:19 and is track 12 of that album.
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums, Markku Lappalainen: Bass
The Reason
Released 2003
The Reason is Hoobastank’s second studio album, released on December 9, 2003. The album includes the hit single “The Reason,” which significantly boosted the band’s popularity. It was recorded at Bay 7 Studios in Valley Village, California, and Sparky Dark Studio in Calabasas, California, during 2003. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified double platinum by the RIAA.
The album featured Doug Robb on vocals, Dan Estrin on guitar, Markku Lappalainen on bass, and Chris Hesse on drums. It was produced by Howard Benson.
CD Track Listings:
- Same Direction (3:15)
- Out Of Control (2:42)
- What Happened To Us? (4:00)
- Escape (3:44)
- Just One (3:19)
- Lucky (2:59)
- From The Heart (3:03)
- The Reason (3:52)
- Let It Out (3:18)
- Unaffected (3:33)
- Never There (3:03)
- Disappear (5:08)
Japanese Bonus Tracks:
- Never Saw It Coming (3:21)
- Open Your Eyes (3:46)
15th Anniversary Bonus Tracks:
- The Reason (Acoustic) (3:54)
- Force Feed Me (3:06)
- Connected (2:41)
- Did You (3:19)
- Right Before Your Eyes (3:29)
20th Anniversary Bonus Tracks
- The Reason (Acoustic) (3:54)
- Force Feed Me (3:06)
- Connected (2:41)
- Right Before Your Eyes (3:29)
- Do Ya Think I’m Sexy (4:16)
Every Man for Himself
Released 2006
Every Man for Himself is Hoobastank’s third studio album, released on May 8, 2006. The album continued the band’s success with a more diverse sound, blending alternative rock with post-grunge elements. It was recorded at Bay 7 Studios in Valley Village, California, and Sparky Dark Studio in Calabasas, California, during 2005. The album peaked at number twelve on the Billboard 200 chart.
The album featured Doug Robb on vocals, Dan Estrin on guitar, Chris Hesse on drums, and Josh Moreau on bass. It was produced by Howard Benson.
CD Track Listings:
- The Rules (0:52)
- Born To Lead (3:48)
- Moving Forward (4:27)
- Inside Of You (3:08)
- The First Of Me (5:24)
- Good Enough (3:20)
- If I Were You (4:18)
- Without A Fight (3:20)
- Don’t Tell Me (4:12)
- Look Where We Are (3:28)
- Say The Same (4:01)
- If Only (3:28)
- More Than A Memory (7:15)
Japanese Bonus Tracks:
- Finally Awake (4:02)
- Waiting (3:07)
iTunes Preorder Bonus Track:
- Face The Music (3:52)
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums, Chris Chaney & Paul Bushnell: Bass, Lenny Castro: Percussion, Dale Dye: Drill Sergeant (Tracks 1, 2)
Fornever
Released 2009
Fornever is Hoobastank’s fourth studio album, released on January 27, 2009. The album features a blend of alternative rock and post-grunge sounds. It was recorded at Bay 7 Studios in Valley Village, California, and Sparky Dark Studio in Calabasas, California, during 2008. The album peaked at number twenty-six on the Billboard 200 chart.
The album featured Doug Robb on vocals, Dan Estrin on guitar, Chris Hesse on drums, and David Amezcua on bass. It was produced by Howard Benson.
CD Track Listings:
- My Turn (3:09)
- I Don’t Think I Love You (3:39)
- So Close, So Far (3:14)
- All About You (2:55)
- The Letter (3:54)
- Tears Of Yesterday (3:56)
- Sick Of Hanging On (3:12)
- You’re The One (3:55)
- Who The Hell Am I? (3:59)
- You Need To Be Here (3:01)
- Gone Gone Gone (3:36)
Japanese Bonus Tracks:
- Replace You (4:16)
- Stay With Me (4:06)
There is also a version of the letter sung with Vanessa Amorossi with a runtime of 3:49, and a version sung with Anna Tsuchiya with a runtime of 4:04.
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums, Paul Bushnell: Bass
Ghostbusters (2009)
This is not an album. This is a cover of the Ray Parker Jr. song. It has a runtime of 3:02 and was uploaded to the Hoobastank YouTube channel for Halloween in 2009.
Live From The Wiltern (2009)
- Crawling In The Dark (Live) (3:24)
- Running Away (Live) (3:10)
- All About You (Live) (2:57)
- My Turn (Live) (3:20)
- So Close, So Far (Live) (3:22)
- The Letter (Live) (3:44)
- The First Of Me (Live) (4:54)
- The Reason (Live) (4:02)
- You’re The One (Live) (3:59)
- Out Of Control (Live) (3:46)
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums (Not sure who played bass for this one)
Not Strong Enough (2010)
This is not a Hoobastank song, but a song by Apocalyptica featuring Douglas Robb. It has a runtime of 3:35 and can be found on the 7th Symphony Deluxe Album by Apocalyptica.
Icon (2010)
- We Are One (4:48)
- Never Be Here Again (4:11)
These 2 songs were released on the Icon: Hoobastank compilation album. As to not clutter up the list, I won’t be adding full compilation albums, just new songs from those albums (with the exception of stuff like acoustic & live).
“We Are One” was recorded for the Download To Donate: Haiti album.
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums, Jesse Charland: Bass
Is This The Day? (2010)
- Just One (3:57)
- Crawling In The Dark (3:08)
- I Don’t Think I Love You (3:52)
- Is This The Day? 2.0 (4:32)
- Inside Of You (3:01)
- Running Away (3:37)
- The Reason (3:59)
- My Turn (3:19)
- What I Meant To Say (3:27)
- If I Were You (4:38)
- Tears Of Yesterday (3:47)
- Pieces (3:39)
- Same Direction (3:30)
- Is This The Day? (4:32)
This is an acoustic album released exclusively in Asia. There are 3 exclusive songs on this album which are Is This The Day? 2.0, What I Meant To Say, and Is This the Day?
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin & Jordan Berliant: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums, Jesse Charland: Bass, Ely Rise: Piano, CJ Eiriksson: Percussion
Fight or Flight
Released 2012
Fight or Flight is Hoobastank’s fifth studio album, released on September 11, 2012. The album marks a departure from their previous sound, exploring more pop-rock influences. It was recorded at Bay 7 Studios in Valley Village, California, and Sparky Dark Studio in Calabasas, California, during 2011. The album peaked at number fifty on the Billboard 200 chart.
The album featured Doug Robb on vocals, Dan Estrin on guitar, Chris Hesse on drums, and Jesse Charland on bass. It was produced by Gavin Brown.
CD Track Listings:
- This Is Gonna Hurt (3:52)
- You Before Me (4:26)
- The Fallen (3:18)
- Can You Save Me? (3:57)
- No Destination (3:45)
- Slow Down (4:43)
- No Win Situation (3:47)
- Sing What You Can’t Say (3:25)
- Magnolia (4:11)
- Incomplete (3:15)
- A Thousand Words (4:00)
Japanese Bonus Tracks:
- The Pressure (4:06)
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums, Jesse Charland: Bass
Fist Bump (2017)
This isn’t an album, it is a song written for Sonic Forces and released with the soundtrack, Sonic Forces Original Soundtrack: A Hero Will Rise. Fist Bump is track 1 on the soundtrack with a runtime of 4:29
Push Pull
Released 2018
Push Pull is Hoobastank’s sixth studio album, released on May 25, 2018. The album features a mix of pop-rock and funk influences, showcasing the band’s versatility. It was recorded at various studios in Los Angeles, California, during 2017. The album did not chart on the Billboard 200.
The album featured Doug Robb on vocals, Dan Estrin on guitar, Chris Hesse on drums, and Jesse Charland on bass. It was produced by Matt Wallace.
CD Track Listings:
- Don’t Look Away (3:29)
- Push Pull (3:08)
- More Beautiful (3:53)
- Head Over Heels (3:58)
- True Believer (3:21)
- Just Let Go (Who Cares If We Fall) (2:58)
- Better Left Unsaid (3:34)
- We Don’t Need The World (3:56)
- Buzzkill (Before You Say Goodbye) (3:58)
- Fallen Star
- There Will Never Be Another One (4:25)
Credits: Doug Robb: Vocals, Dan Estrin: Guitar, Chris Hesse: Drums, Jesse Charland: Bass
The Second Level x Hoobastank – The Reason (2023)
This is an official remix of “The Reason” with a runtime of 2:37. There is also an extended mix with a runtime of 3:41.
The Reason (Sped Up) (2023)
This is the official version of “The Reason,” released in 2023 as a single.
The Reason (Latin Version) (feat. Jonathan Moly) (2023)
This is the official version of “The Reason,” done with Jonathan Moly in 2023. It’s runtime is 3:11.
Steve Aoki & Soundrush (ft. Hoobastank) – The Reason (2026)
This is an official remix of The Reason with a runtime of 3:32. It was released as a single and on Steve Aoki’s “HiROQUEST 3: Paragon Remixed” album. It is track 1 on that album.
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