Walking into the production studio in a leather jacket, jeans and a T-shirt, he showed a personality that didn't quite match that of the rocker status -- it was more like that of the typical nice guy who you could find next door to ask to borrow a cup of sugar. The only catch is that this nice guy really knows his stuff on a set of drums.
The CT had the opportunity to take some time to meet up with Hargreaves and ask some questions before Third Eye Blind's concert in Burruss Hall last night.
Q: What made you interested in music, the drums in particular?
A: I had older brothers and sisters and they listened to not-kids-music and so I was introduced to it through that, but my dad played a little bit of drums, too, so he was my initial inspiration.
Q: Did you have any other career dreams growing up?
A: I wanted to play in the NBA. I was really into basketball in grade school. (But) from fifth grade on, music was all I wanted to do and I never thought about anything else.
Q: How did you meet the other members of the band?
A: Steven was putting the band together in the Bay Area around 1995, '96 ... and he got recommendations from bands that he liked, people he trusted and I'm glad to be one of those people.
Q: Originally, how did the fame affect you with your life -- family, girlfriends?
A: (I) immediately broke up with that girlfriend; it didn't affect me. I think I'm one of the few people that never really thought about fame or fortune. That just wasn't why I got into music in the first place.
Q: What's been the best part of all your success?
A: I think there's definitely perks, getting into restaurants and people acknowledging you for what you've done and what you love to do. You introduced yourself and said you were a huge fan and that feels good. It's like, wow, people listened to the music and it means we've touched peoples' lives in a positive way and it feels good. Making a really good living off music and doing what you love to do is fantastic. I'm kind of a shy person so I don't necessarily gravitate toward the 'oh, you can show up to this party' kind of attitude. I remember reading something about L.L. Cool J. He said that if you are not someone who is a womanizer or doing drugs and partying a lot, just because you become famous don't change who you are, because that's what got you to where you are, and that's what is going to continue to make you successful.
Q: What's the most memorable moment for you with the band?
A: Stevie Wonder sitting in with Third Eye Blind around 2000. At the end of "Jumper," he came in and played a harmonica solo, so that was career highlight number one. It was pretty awesome.
Q: What's your favorite Third Eye Blind song?
A: I like "Wounded" off our Blue Record. I feel like its kind of quintessential 3EB in that it's like when every member kind of shined in his own way really brightly, and consequently it's an aggregate that becomes greater than its whole.
Q: I heard you like movie scores and writing them. What's up with that?
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