Cody Hanson of Hinder
Talks to Rocking God’s House
Cody Hanson, drummer of American power rock band Hinder (and no relation to the mmm-bop trio), is back with his band with new beginnings and ready to take on the world once again. On May 12, the band released their fifth album, “When The Smoke Clears,” their first with new vocalist Marshall Dutton. Dutton has been writing and recording with the band since 2009, all the way back to “All American Nightmare.” In fact, Dutton has worked on every album ever since, even co-producing “Welcome to the Freakshow” with Cody.
The band, with their signature smash “Lips Of an Angel,” have recreated the magic of powerful rock songwriting. It’s the kind of rock and roll that relies on driving, hard-hitting, melodic drums, deep bass, and powerful vocals. The album set list:
1 Rather Hate Then Hurt
2 Hit The Ground
3 Wasted Life
4 If Only For Tonight
5 Intoxicated
6 Dead to me
7 Foolish Eyes
8 Nothing Left To Lose
9 Letting me go
10 I need another drink
The band is very fond and appreciative of their fans. In 2006, as a Christmas gift to their fan club, Hinder recorded their version of “The Little Drummer Boy” and released it on their fan club website. And they included their fan in a special way with the naming of the new album.
I spoke with Cody who is gearing up for Hinder’s tour to support the new album:
How did you pick the album title?
We actually ran a contest online on social media to have the fans pick it, which was a lot of fun, and there were a lot of great ideas out there, but once we saw, “When The Smoke Clears,” it just kind of fit with everything that we have gone through. We have kinda been through it all, and are ready to move forward.
Do you feel like your new vocalist Marshall Dutton is the right fit?
Absolutely. I think one of the biggest things about bringing in a band member, especially when you are a tight-knit group like we are, they have to be just like us, and Marshall has been part of the family so long that it was just easy and natural. I think it was definitely the right move. I wish we would have just done it sooner.
To me some of the songs on the new album have hints of the Nashville sound to them. Was that Music City magic pre-meditated?
Yeah, we actually did the majority of the writing of the last few albums in Nashville. So, yeah, about half of the album I would say are Nashville co-writers on there. You know, there is not a place on the earth where there is more talent.
Do you consider yourself a Christian or spiritual person?
I would say I would consider myself a spiritual person. You know, only because it’s not about what I believe in. There are things about the organized religion itself that I don’t like, some of the things and some of the views. I guess it is just best I leave it at that.
What kind of drum kit will you be touring with?
I will be playing my Pearl Master studio kit. I had it custom painted by a guy out in Florida, and I loved the paint job, and I am still using Sabian cymbals.
