In 2006, Hinder hit the Top 3 on Billboard's Hot 100 with the ballad "Lips of an Angel." The song was in heavy rotation on all the video-music channels, and it put the Oklahoma City band on the music map.

Some cynics would think the success of a ballad for a rock band is the kiss of death. But Hinder lead singer Austin Winkler doesn't think so.

Winkler and guitarist Cody Hanson spoke to a group of journalists during a teleconference earlier this month and shed some light on being in Hinder, the success of "Lips of an Angel" and the band's upcoming CD, "Take It to the Limit."

When asked whether or not the success of "Lips of an Angel" has affected the band's overall sound, Winkler said he didn't think so.

"We know we're a rock band, and if we put out a ballad that crosses to Top 40, it's just getting more listeners out there for our music, and it's good for us."

Winkler also said Jack Ingram's country-music remake of "Lips" is another opportunity for Hinder to reel in new listeners.

"Country is a very powerful genre in the music industry right now," Winkler said. "It's great to be able to cross over to country."

With a hit single and a platinum CD under its belt, Hinder is gearing up to release its new CD on Nov. 4 — Election Day.

"We just thought it was a very important day for our country and a very exciting day," Hanson said. "We just thought it would be cool to jump on and give our fans something else to be excited about."

Winkler said the songs on "Take It to the Limit" were written whenever they had some time. And that means they wrote while touring these past two years.

"We had a writing session in Florida and did a session in Whistler, Canada," he said. "We're always coming up with new ideas. Cody and I usually come up with a song and then we take it to the rest of the guys. Going to all those places we very inspiring."

The band also had a guest play on the album — Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars.

"Mick's publisher called us and wanted us to go do some writing with him," said Hanson. "So, we approached him with a song we wrote for the album and just asked him if he wanted to play. We went to his big empty house up in the hills and watched him rip off a couple of solos for our track."

Hinder was involved "quite a bit" with the production of "Take It to the Limit," Hanson said.

"We were always there in the room tossing out different ideas, and we work(ed) really well with Brian Howes, our producer. We were involved in every aspect of it from the beginning, even in the mixing process."

Still, there already has some misunderstandings about the CD's lead single.

Universal Records announced the single was going to be "Without You," but the band claims "Use Me," which was leaked to listeners on the band's Web site (www.hindermusic.com), is the first official single.

"I have no idea why it was thrown out there that Universal said 'Without You' was the first single," Hanson said. "If you ask us, we'd definitely said 'Use Me' is the first. Sorry to confuse everyone on that."

Regardless of the business-side mix ups, the band loves playing and recording music.

"Just being able to play your music and see the fans connect with you is the most enjoyable thing," Winkler said. "That and just playing live shows every night."

If you go

What: Hinder, Rev Theory, Trapt

Where: Saltair, 12408 W. Salt Air Drive

When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.

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How much: $23

Phone: 467-8499, 800-888-8499

Web: www.smithstix.com


E-mail: scott@desnews.com

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