Lead singer of the curiously-named American Rock band Hoobastank, Doug Robb dropped by the Hard Rock Caf?, Phuket last month to sign a guitar, chat to the local press and eat some chicken wings.

Hoobastank are perhaps most well known for their 2004 hit ?Reason? and since then went on to sell over 10 million copies of albums worldwide.

Dougg was on the island for a brief vacation with his wife while the other members of the band were resting in Bangkok after performing at the Bangkok Summer Festival, May 7-8.
Dougg, whose father is Scottish and mother is Japanese was asked during the press conference as to how he felt being a hapa (general term for a person of mixed Asian / European heritage), a question that has a lot of relevance for a large percentage of the younger generations of Phuketians.

?I am just me,? Doug responded, ?I don?t feel like I?m carrying the flag or anything, but I suppose I did start accepting and exploring my Asian side more as I got older.?

Dougg and the boys were supposed to be playing a gig in Hard Rock Phuket, but contractual obligations made it impossible, but according to Shabbir Godil, General Manager, it will only be a matter of time before some big-named bands finally have a note-worthy venue to play in.

?We?ve got a big gig coming up in June with some great acts performing, and in the future we will be renovating our outdoor area and making it a great place to see great live bands,? said Shabir.

Doug?s visit to Phuket was a lot more sedate than his recent one to Colombia where he was invited to smash a guitar with the Governor.

Doug didn?t rule anything out for his return trip to Phuket though and hinted that he and his band might even be able to play when they return to SE Asia, and if not then they?d better have a good ?Reason? as to why not.