[metalchris25]

During the 1990s, most bands opting to carry on the torch of the hair metal days were quickly given the boot by hosts of grunge fans. The change in the music scene was obviously welcomed at the time, but the tide does seem to once again be changing. All-out, dirty rock has nosed its way back on to the radio, and record sales indicate that it’s been a long time coming. Hinder, who won over the public a few years ago with their big power ballads and arena rock, is once again back to give the people what they want. The new record Take It To The Limit is fueled by gritty guitars, sing-along choruses, and plenty of sexually charged lyrics, and Motley Crue veteran Mick Mars even lends his talents to the title track.

While some critics are still upset by the 80’s rock revival, Hinder pays them little mind. After all, the Oklahoma natives have already scored a triple platinum debut album, which is almost unthinkable in the era of downloading. Guitarists Joe “Blower” Garvey and Mark King explained to Ultimate-Guitar recently that they are just as proud of Take It To The Limit, and they’ll be adding another impressive accomplishment to their resume in early 2009: a coveted slot on the Motley Crue Saints of Los Angeles Tour.

UG: Did you want to take a different musical approach with Take It To The Limit? Would you say that you’ve stuck with the traditional rock sound you had on the previous record?

Joe: Oh, absolutely. We went with what we know. With this album we actually had a lot more time writing, and we were able to do our own thing. Our influences definitely stand out on this record. So we had a lot more time to record it, write it, and the whole 9 yards. Everything turned out great. We stuck with the same producer to kind of get the same vibe. Obviously, we kept the drinking involved with everything! It was great. We were extremely proud of the second one.

Considering that your first album was certified triple platinum, did you feel a lot of pressure going into the studio?

Joe: It was always in the back of our minds. But like I said earlier, we had a lot more time to write for this second album and to spend more time throughout the process of recording. We were really able to dial in, as far as tones and the way we were going to set everything up. So we were pretty confident going into this one.