Austin John

Austin John
Winkler in 2008
Background information
Birth name	Austin John Winkler
Born	(1981-10-25) October 25, 1981 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma United States
Genres	Hard rock, alternative rock, glam metal, post grunge, pop
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, musician
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, piano
Years active	2001–present
Labels	Republic Records (With Hinder 2004-2013) Universal Music Group (As a solo artist 2014-Present)
Associated acts	Hinder, Tantric, Hugo Ferreira
Website	http://instagram.com/austinjohnwinkler

Austin John Winkler (born October 25, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter best known for being the former lead singer of the American rock band Hinder. Winkler was one of the founding members of Hinder and recorded a total of one EP, four studio albums and released twenty-four singles to radio while with them during his 12-year tenure with the band. Since his departure from Hinder, Winkler has continued his career, but as a solo artist.

Austin's first release as a solo artist, a six-song EP titled Love Sick Radio was released April 22, 2016.^[1]

Time with Hinder 2001-2013

Before forming Hinder with alongside bandmates Cody Hanson and Joe "Blower" Garvey, Winkler sang in a Oklahoma City cover band up until July 2001. While playing at a college party, Winkler met Hanson and Garvey and shortly thereafter the three formed Hinder. Hinder released their debut EP titled Far From Close in 2003 under the independent label Brickden Records, the EP went on to sale around 5,000 copies.

After the release of Far From Close Hinder was offered record deals from Atlantic Records, Roadrunner Records, and Universal Records, eventually signing with Universal Records in early 2005. Hinder released their debut single Get Stoned on July 26, 2005 and released their debut album Extreme Behavior on September 27, 2005. The album went on to spawn a total of 8 singles including the number one smash hit Lips of an Angel and gain triple-platinum status in the US. From 2005 to 2007 the band went on numerous tours, headlining and supporting in promotion of the album touring with the likes of Nickelback, Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, Papa Roach, Powerman 5000, Tantric, Buckcherry, Seether, Puddle of Mudd, Hoobastank, Fuel, Faktion, Chevelle, Rev Theory and Saving Abel.

After shooting a music video for Hinder's version of the song "Born to be Wild" for NASCAR Winkler began dating actress/model Jami Miller who was a dancer in the video, in late 2007 the two became engaged. On December 21, 2007 Winkler was arrested for suspicion of DUI after leaving his engagement party. The two became married on July 30, 2008. The two wed in Hawaii. Winkler wrote a song for their wedding titled "The Love I Live For" it was never released but it can be found on YouTube.

The band released their sophomore album titled Take It to the Limit on November 4, 2008, to support the album in the winter of 2009 the band joined Motley Crue on their Saints Of Los Angeles Tour for the winter leg of the tour only. While still embarking on their own headlining tour to promote the album, in the summer of 2009 the band joined Nickelback on the summer leg of their Dark Horse Tour alongside Papa Roach and Saving Abel.

On December 7, 2010 Winkler released his third studio album with Hinder titled All American Nightmare. Starting in January 2011 the band went on their North American "All American Nightmare Tour" with supporting acts Saving Abel, My Darkest Days and Kopek. The tour started in early January 2011 and lasted till the fall of 2011.

On August 9, 2012 Hinder revealed that their fourth studio album would be titled Welcome to the Freakshow and would be out later in the fall. On August 30, 2012 Hinder released "Save Me" as the first single from the album. Welcome to the Freakshow would be released on December 4, 2012. Winkler revealed that the album was recorded during a very dark drug binge for him and that immediately after the band finished recording he checked himself into rehab.

Welcome to the Freakshow would be the last album to feature Winkler as the lead vocalist for the band.

During the band's "Welcome to the Freakshow" summer tour, on July 10, 2013 Winkler announced that he would be leaving the tour to check himself into rehab to fight his battle with drug abuse and alcoholism. The same day it was announced that Jared Weeks (then lead singer) of Saving Abel would be filling in for him during the remainder of the tour.

In August 2013 a video posted on YouTube by Hugo Ferreira of the band Tantric revealed that Ferreria and Winkler had established a very good friendship and that Winkler was help writing songs for Tantric's then upcoming album 37 Channels. Tantric's "37 Channels" album was released on September 17, 2013 and Winkler was featured on two tracks titled "Bullet" and "Fault".

On November 10, 2013 it was announced via Loudwire that Hinder had officially parted ways with Winkler, stating "We hold no animosity towards Austin, and wish him the best," says Hanson via press release. "Although it was a difficult decision, it was the best thing for everyone involved and time for us to move on. This summer/fall tour was a tough one. We want to thank the fans for all their overwhelming support." Winkler gave the following statement below;

"To All Hinder Fans,

It’s with a heavy heart that I announce after 12 years of being the lead singer of Hinder, the band and I have decided to part ways. I wish the guys nothing but the best in the future.

I want to thank each and every one of you all for your love and support over the years, and especially over the last 4 months on my road to recovery. All the messages you sent me on Twitter and Instagram really helped me get through this difficult time in my life. I'm happy to say I’ve been sober for 150 days.

I’m really passionate about the new project I'm working on. I have been in the studio nonstop and can’t wait to share this new music with you. Make sure to follow me on Instagram @AustinJohnWinkler and Twitter @IamAustinJohn as I will be making some announcements real soon!

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being with me on this journey…we’re just getting started!"

- Austin Winkler^[2]

Also right after the announcement Winkler posted on his official Instagram page that he was trying to let all the fans know what was going on but he had not been allowed to post on Hinder's Facebook page in over four months.

2013-2016 : Continuing as a solo artist and "Love Sick Radio"

Soon after the announcement that he and Hinder had parted ways, Winkler quickly stated he would continue his career as a solo artist.

In the first half of 2014, Winkler posted many clips of demos of new songs on his Instagram account, upcoming tracks that has been confirmed is "My Turn", "Carry You", "Sleep Through My Pain" and "Phoneline to Heaven".

On May 15, 2014, Winkler gave his first interview since departing from Hinder. Winkler revealed to Music Junkie Press that his departure from Hinder had been a long time in the making and that he planned to hopefully release new music in the fall. He also stated that once he releases his album a tour will follow.

On October 17, 2014, Winkler posted via his official Instagram account that he had signed to Universal Music Group^[3] as a solo artist.

On November 8, 2014 Winkler performed as a special guest alongside Tantric at the Whiskey A Go Go in West Hollywood, California on a stop while on their Blue Room Archives tour. Winkler performed the song "Fault" with Tantric, Winkler co wrote the song with Tantric lead singer Hugo Ferreira in the summer of 2013, the song is featured on the album 37 Channels with Winkler providing guest vocals.^[4]

In January 2015, Winkler confirmed a new track called "If This Is Love" and released a clip of it as well.

On February 26, 2015 Winkler confirmed another track on Instagram titled "Love You Like A Maniac". ^[5]

On April 10, 2015 Winkler announced through his official Facebook page that he would be holding talent auditions for the instrument members of his solo band in Los Angeles, contestants must be twenty-one through twenty-seven years old. With the announcement of the auditions for his solo band it was also announced that his new solo project was due out in late 2015.^[6]

Winkler confirmed another track for his upcoming solo album titled "The Plague" on May 17, 2015.

In the first half of July 2015 Winkler shared what seemed to be an official album cover on his official Facebook and Instagram page. He also posted on his Instagram what looked like a website streaming his new solo album. He also revealed that the album could be released as early as September 2015.

On July 29, 2015 Winkler updated his bio on his Facebook page and confirmed the following songs will be released on his upcoming solo studio album in the Fall of 2015, the songs are; "Clique to Follow", "The Plague", "Road to Paradise", "I Hate That I'm Loving It", "Bright Side" and "Control".^[7]

On September 22, 2015 Winkler posted on his Instagram that new music would be coming next week.^[8]

During the middle of September 2015, Austin revealed to his Instagram followers that he would be starting a new trend called "#MusicMonday" which would be him releasing a new clips of songs from his solo album every Monday to hold fans off until a release date. The audio clips are mastered versions of the songs that will be on his upcoming solo album, the audio clips can be found on Austin's Instagram or on YouTube.^[8]

September 28, 2015 Winkler released a clip of his first single titled "Clique To Follow".^[9]

On October 13, 2015 Winkler released an audio clip of his upcoming solo song "Howlin' At The Moon".^[10]

Winkler released another audio clip for his song "The Plague" on October 19, 2015.^[11]

Austin released an audio clip which contained the mastered version of his song "Carry You" on October 27, 2015.

On November 10, 2015 Austin released an audio clip for his previously unannounced song "Hey Love"^[12]

Austin released the audio clip for his solo song "Bright Side" and also announcing that he will announce the release date of his EP very soon.

On November 23, 2015 Austin released the audio clip of his solo song "I Hate That I'm Loving It".

From November 2015 to March 2016 Austin remained quiet on social media due to his recent divorce from his longtime partner Jamie Miller.^[13]

On March 7, 2016 Austin released a statement saying "Ok people Love Sick Radio is being mastered right now!! Sorry I've been MIA but life happens and you got to handle your shit the best you can! #love #sick #radio and thank you all so so so much for your #patience #passion and I know it's frustrating! Hope you all are doing very well! Can't wait to see you!!!". The statement confirmed that his album would be named "Love Sick Radio" and it is being mastered right now.^[13]

Austin announced on April 18, 2016 that his debut six-song EP "Love Sick Radio" will be released April 22, 2016 via Amazon.^[14]

Touring, recording of debut album 2016 - present

Austin performed his debut solo show on July 7, 2016 at the Whiskey A Go Go in Hollywood, California. Since Austin has announced shows throughout Texas and Nashville in August 2016.^[15][16]

Austin also announced that he is still currently recording for his debut full - length LP which should be released at the end of this year. He added to the fans overwhelming support for the song "Phoneline To Heaven" it will be mastered and added to the record.^[16][17]

Discography

Studio albums with Hinder

• Far From Close (2003)
• Extreme Behavior (2005)
• Take It to the Limit (2008)
• All American Nightmare (2010)
• Welcome to the Freakshow (2012)

Solo releases

EP's

• Love Sick Radio (2016)

Tours

• Extreme Behavior Tour. 2005-2007. (Multiple Supporting and Headlining Roles).
• Door to Dorm Tour. Spring 2007 (Headlining) with Papa Roach and Puddle of Mudd.
• Girls Gone Wild Tour. (Headlining) with Rev Theory and Faktion.
• Badboys of Rock Tour. (Headlining) with Papa Roach, Buckcherry and Rev Theory.
• 2008 Summer Tour. (Co-Headlining) with 3 Doors Down
• Jägermeister Music Tour. (Headlining) with Trapt and Rev Theory.
• Take It to the Limit Winter Tour. (Supporting) Motley Crue's Saints Of Los Angeles Tour. with Motley Crue, Hinder, Theory of a Deadman and The Last Vegas.
• Take It to the Limit Spring Tour. (Headling) with Theory of a Deadman, Black Stone Cherry and The Veer Union.
• Take It to the Limit Summer Tour 2009. (Supporting) Nickelback's Dark Horse Tour with Hinder, Papa Roach and Saving Abel.
• 2010 Summer Tour. (Headlining).
• All American Nightmare Tour. Fall 2010-2011 (Headlining) with Saving Abel, My Darkest Days and Kopek.
• Summer/Fall Tour. 2012 (Headlining) with Lynam.
• Bare Bones Tour. (Acoustic) Fall & Winter 2012 (Headlining).
• Welcome to the Freakshow Tour 2013 (Headlining) with The Last Vegas, Nonpoint and Acidid (From March till July 9 only.)

References