Austin John Winkler left the rock band Hinder in November 2013 due to escalating personal struggles, severe health challenges, and irreconcilable creative differences with his fellow band members. After more than a decade as the face, voice, and co-founder of the multi-platinum group, his departure marked the end of an era for the band known globally for chart-topping hits like "Lips of an Angel."
The separation of a lead singer from a commercially successful rock band is rarely a simple event. For Hinder and Austin John Winkler, the split was the culmination of years of mounting tension, personal demons, backstage friction, and public struggles with substance abuse. Understanding why Winkler walked away requires looking beyond the official press releases to examine the historical context of the band's rise, the toll of relentless touring, internal band dynamics, and the subsequent paths both parties pursued after cutting ties.
The Rise of Hinder and Austin John Winkler's Role as Frontman
To understand why the partnership eventually dissolved, it is necessary to examine how Hinder formed and achieved mainstream prominence. Formed in Oklahoma City in 2001 by drummer Cody Hanson, guitarist Joe "Banger" Garvey, and vocalist Austin John Winkler, the band quickly built a reputation for hard-partying, high-energy, post-grunge rock reminiscent of 1980s arena bands. Winkler's raspy, emotive vocal delivery and charismatic stage presence became the focal point of the group's sonic identity.
In 2005, Hinder released their major-label debut studio album, Extreme Behavior, through Universal Republic. The record was a massive commercial success, eventually achieving multi-platinum certification driven largely by the massive crossover success of the power ballad "Lips of an Angel," which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Follow-up singles like "Get Away" and "Better Than Me" cemented the band's status as a dominant force in modern rock radio.
Sustaining this level of success required a grueling touring schedule. Over the next several years, Hinder maintained a relentless pace of recording, promoting, and touring across the globe. This heavy operational tempo placed immense strain on all members of the band, particularly Winkler, who was the primary lyricist and the central public-facing persona carrying the psychological weight of the group's commercial expectations.
Mounting Tensions and Personal Struggles
By the early 2010s, cracks within the foundation of Hinder began to widen. The lifestyle associated with hard-rock touring—characterized by late nights, heavy alcohol consumption, and backstage partying—began to exact a heavy toll on Winkler's physical and mental health. Substance abuse issues, which had long been an undercurrent in the band's hyper-masculine, party-rock image, escalated into a serious impediment to professional operations.
Tensions between Winkler and co-founder Cody Hanson grew increasingly strained. Behind the scenes, creative direction was becoming a point of contention. While Winkler wanted to explore different artistic avenues and experienced burnout from the formulaic expectations placed upon the band, other members favored maintaining the established hard-rock sound that had brought them commercial glory.
Furthermore, Winkler's health issues began to disrupt the band's professional commitments. In July 2013, Hinder announced that Winkler was checking into a rehabilitation facility to deal with personal issues, forcing the band to cancel or postpone numerous tour dates. While many fans and industry observers hoped the stint in rehab would pave the way for a smooth rehabilitation and reunion, the underlying personal and professional fractures had already grown too deep to repair.
The Official Departure in November 2013
The breaking point arrived in late 2013. In November, Hinder officially announced that Austin John Winkler was no longer a member of the band. The initial announcements were relatively professional and measured, thanking fans for their support and wishing Winkler well in his future endeavors, while assuring the public that Hinder would continue making music and touring.
However, subsequent interviews and public statements from both sides revealed a more complicated and acrimonious reality. The separation was not a mutual parting of ways born of peaceful compromise, but rather an eviction prompted by an unsustainable working relationship. The band members felt that Winkler's unreliability and personal struggles were jeopardizing the entire enterprise, while Winkler felt alienated and unsupported during his darkest personal struggles.
In later reflections, band members noted that communication had completely broken down by the time the split occurred. The decision to move forward without Winkler was described as a matter of survival for the band, as continuing down the same path threatened to bring a permanent end to Hinder's career.
| Timeline Event | Date | Context & Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Band Formation | 2001 | Founded in Oklahoma City by Cody Hanson, Joe Garvey, and Austin John Winkler. |
| Major Label Debut | 2005 | Release of Extreme Behavior, featuring the smash hit single "Lips of an Angel." |
| Rehab Stint | July 2013 | Winkler enters a rehabilitation facility, leading to cancelled tour dates. |
| Official Split | November 2013 | Hinder officially parts ways with Winkler, citing insurmountable differences. |
| New Frontman | 2015 | Marshal Dutton joins Hinder as the new permanent lead vocalist. |
Aftermath and Hinder's Evolution Without Winkler
Following his departure from Hinder, Austin John Winkler stepped away from the spotlight to focus on his sobriety, health, and personal life. The transition away from a multi-platinum touring machine was undoubtedly difficult. After a period of relative quiet, Winkler began releasing solo material, including his 2016 EP Love Shack, Vol. 1, which showcased a slightly different musical direction while retaining his signature raspy vocal style.
Meanwhile, Hinder faced the daunting task of replacing a frontman who had defined their sound for over a decade. After utilizing temporary vocalists for live performances, the band officially welcomed Marshal Dutton—a producer and singer who had previously worked with the band—as their new permanent lead vocalist in 2015.
Hinder subsequently released albums with Dutton at the helm, including When the Smoke Clears (2015) and The Reign (2017). While these releases maintained a loyal fanbase and allowed the band to continue touring actively on the nostalgia and active rock circuits, they operated on a different commercial scale than the blockbuster eras of Extreme Behavior and Take It to the Limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who replaced Austin John Winkler as the lead singer of Hinder?
Marshal Dutton officially replaced Austin John Winkler as the lead singer of Hinder in 2015. Dutton was already a familiar face to the band, having worked extensively as a songwriter and producer on previous Hinder projects before stepping up to the microphone.
Did Austin John Winkler ever return to Hinder?
No, Austin John Winkler has not returned to Hinder, and permanent reconciliation between Winkler and the remaining band members appears unlikely given the public nature of their fallout and the passage of time. Hinder continues to tour and record with Marshal Dutton.
What health issues did Austin John Winkler face?
Winkler has openly discussed his struggles with substance abuse and addiction, which were compounded by the rigorous physical and mental demands of touring. These challenges culminated in a stint in rehabilitation in 2013 shortly before his departure from the band.
What is Austin John Winkler doing now?
Following his departure from Hinder, Winkler pursued a solo career, releasing independent music under his own name. He has focused on rebuilding his personal life, maintaining his sobriety, and writing music outside the constraints of a major label machine.
Did Austin John Winkler write "Lips of an Angel"?
Yes, Austin John Winkler co-wrote "Lips of an Angel" alongside his bandmates and external songwriters like Brian Howes. The song remains Hinder's most commercially successful track and a defining ballad of the mid-2000s post-grunge era.
Summary and Next Actions for Fans
Ultimately, Austin John Winkler left Hinder because a decade of intense touring, creative stagnation, and severe personal struggles with addiction created an unbridgeable chasm between him and the rest of the band. While the split was painful and marked by public friction, it allowed both parties to chart separate paths forward.
For listeners interested in exploring this era of modern rock further, examining the contrast between Hinder's early multi-platinum albums with Winkler and their subsequent releases with Marshal Dutton offers a clear illustration of how vital a frontman is to a band's identity. Fans looking to follow Winkler's current artistic output can explore his independent solo projects on digital streaming platforms, while Hinder continues to maintain an active touring schedule performing their classic catalog.
