Hoobastank is an American rock band formed in 1994 in Agoura Hills, California, by vocalist Doug Robb, guitarist Dan Estrin, drummer Chris Hesse, and original bassist Markku Lappalainen. The group originally used the name Hoobustank before adopting its current spelling. Early releases leaned toward ska punk and funk metal, while later work shifted toward alternative rock, post-grunge, and hard rock. The band’s first independent release appeared in 1998, followed by its major-label debut in 2001. Hoobastank became widely known for songs including "Crawling in the Dark," "Running Away," and "The Reason." In live settings, the band performs as a standard electric rock act, drawing on material from its early heavier catalog through its more melodic later albums.