On to a new Hootie sound.

(From New Straits Times (Malaysia))

"JUST making sure my bangers are not burnt," said Soni, drummer of the hugely popular American band Hootie and the Blowfish, referring to the sausages he was barbecuing for dinner at his home when we made the call for this interview.

He talked about the band's first album in over five years while turning them on the grill. Surprisingly, he was good at juggling the two tasks despite the occasional "uhs" and "umms".

A father of two, this loving husband - whose real name is Jim Sonefeld - together with his bandmates Mark Bryan (guitar, mandolin, backing vocals), Dean Felber (bass, backing vocals) and Darius Rucker (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica) left the hectic life as rock stars two years ago to raise families and only reunited last year for their fifth album.

"We needed to be away for a while. We …