COLLEGE PARK, Md. – To quote the language of their home state of California, the members of Hoobastank are quite “stoked.” Coming off the multi-platinum album “The Reason” and the Grammy-nominated song of the same title, they have every reason to be so.

“We don’t have depressing lives, and I don’t think that being in a rock band means you should be depressed and want to kill yourself,” explained Hoobastank drummer Chris Hesse. “We don’t have drug problems, we don’t really fight; none of those typical rock-band problems you always hear about.”

With a naturally high-flying mind-set, it’s no wonder the positive lyrics of front man Douglas Robb are dominating the group’s latest songs. Phrases such as “We’re holding the key, to unlock our destiny,” from the song “Born to Lead,” are frequently featured on Hoobastank’s upcoming album, “Every Man For Himself.”

“If I were you, holding the world right in my hands, the first thing I’d do is thank the stars for all that I have,” is heard on Hoobastank’s latest single, “If I Were You.”

The pop-minded alternative-rock band unleashes its latest effort May 16 in hopes of delivering its positive songs with the same success as its previous tracks. Still, the group’s expectations are modest, Hesse says. After all, following up the kind of success they had in 2004 is near-impossible for many bands, and Hoobastank is aware of just how fortunate they were.

“We got lucky that we got all that attention from one song basically. We probably won’t have the same success again,” Hesse says.

Don’t worry, rock fans, Hoobastank doesn’t plan to fade out anytime soon. “If I Were You” is already one of the most requested songs on FM radio, and you can expect to hear it on rotation all summer long.

In the past, the band has been heavily criticized for not trying new things or taking risks musically.

“We’re not trying to be the next thing – we’re not scenesters,” Hesse said. “We know we’re not breaking any new ground or doing anything too original. But we like what we play, and I think fans are responding to that.”

What they are playing these days is music that walks the increasingly blurry line between pop and rock, but most recently Hoobastank has focused on leaning toward pop.

“Yeah, we’re definitely playing pop music, and we’re OK with that,” Hesse said. “We just feel like a band that has less testosterone.”

To Hesse, the band’s evolving sound is just a natural progression from their previous work.

“It’s only subtle differences, but I feel like we were more creative this time around,” Hesse said. “We came into the studio with only a vague idea of what we wanted to do, not just rigid ideas … we left things open.”

Part of the reason for the musical shift may be due to the loss of aggressive-minded bassist Markku Lappalainen, who left the group last year.

“Markku was tired of touring, wanted to settle down and have kids, which he did actually, he just got married,” Hesse says. “But he always wanted more progressive stuff anyway, more aggressive rock. I think he wanted a change.”

Bassist Josh Moreau was signed this year to replace Lappalainen in the band, but Hoobastank was still a three-person group at press time.

Hoobastank is currently on its Every Fan for Himself tour and is scheduled to perform at the DC 101 Chili Cook-Off in Washington May 20.

Bet you can guess what Hesse thinks about that.

“Yeah, we’re stoked,” he says.