Universal Music Publishing Group Signs Hoobastank To Exclusive, World-wide Co-Publishing Deal

Los Angeles, CA (Universal Music Publishing Group) - Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) announced today the signing of Platinum rock group, Hoobastank, to an exclusive, worldwide publishing deal.

Platinum, quartet Hoobastank formed in the Los Angeles suburb of Agoura Hills in early 1994, after vocalist Doug Robb met guitarist Dan Estrin at a high-school battle of the bands competition. The two chose to join forces, and after adding bassist Markku Lappalainen and drummer Chris Hesse, Hoobastank was born. While the heavy alternative sounds of acts like Tool and Alice in Chains were primary influences, Hoobastank tempered the gloomier elements of that music with a suburban California groove and an eye for accessibility.

Island took notice and signed Hoobastank in August 2000, and tours with the like-minded Incubus and Alien Ant Farm followed. Hoobastank's eponymous debut dropped in November 2001, and the singles "Crawling in the Dark" and "Running Away" were hits at radio and MTV. The LP went Platinum, featuring the hit singles 'Crawling the Dark' and 'Running Away.' The album hit No. 1 in Billboard's Heatseekers. By early 2003, the band was back in the studio, laying down tracks for its sophomore effort.

The band's second offering, The Reason (Island), released in 2004, hit No. 3 in the Billboard 200. The band was featured on the 2001 Fast and the Furious OST and on the 2002 Scorpion King OST.

The band's prior work, including Every Man For Himself (Island), is published through Warner Chappel. Universal Music Publishing Group will publish all future works.

Managed by Bret Bair, Hoobastank joins UMPG's successful rock roster, which includes U2, Dave Grohl, 3 Doors Down, Jack Johnson, the Killers, Franz Ferdinand, the Bravery, Shooter Jennings, Blink-182, Bon Jovi, amongst others.