Theyre never going to sell 15 million records again, says Hootie & The Blowfishs drummer Jim Sonefeld. Theyve accepted that probability, he says. Now, he says, they need us or at least the media to too.

"The media wont let it go," Sonefeld (best known as "Soni") explains with bemusement. "It means more to other people than to us." After the bands historic 1994 double-digit sales debut with the Cracked Rear View album, Hootie followed with a three million seller, 1996s Fairweather Johnson, a triple platinum total that most artists would kill for.

"The only thing the media could pick up on was How come they only sold three million? which was amusing to us. " Sonefeld says. "But when thats the only thing people can read about a band, thats the only thing they remember about the band. The general publics perception is kind of Where are they? or What happened to Hootie and the Blowfish. " And though their last studio album, 1998s Musical Chairs, still went platinum-plus, that perception continues, he suggests.

So, the journey for Hootie continues with Scattered, Smothered, and Covered, a rarities album scheduled for release Oct. 24 and featuring the bands interpretations of material of some of their favorite artists. Sonefeld acknowledges that it is one way before the next studio album, and while individual members explore solo projects, to remind people that Hootie is still alive. "Weve been in peaks and valleys and I dont think we are in either of them now," he explains in giving a Hootie career status check. "I think we are riding up the side of the mountain right now. We are comfortable trying to find out where we are in the journey. I think we are very happy, maybe a little disgruntled at the state of modern radio programming. Some guy in a big tall high-rise in Texas is programming the whole world."

Individually, Sonefeld adds, lives also are changing for the members of Hootie, who, in addition to Sonefeld, include Darius Rucker, Mark Bryan and Dean Felber. "There are wives, children, trust funds, IRAs, financial planners," he informs, chuckling. Sonefeld is the very proud father of baby Cameron, born this summer. "Shes definitely life changing in the best possible way," he says. "Its changed my perspective of life and the cycle of life," he adds. He wrote his first song about her 12 hours after her birth "Grace In My Heart." "Her name was Grace for a few hours," Sonefeld explains, laughing. Theres a good chance it will turn up on his first solo album, which he begins recording this month.

Hes excited, too, about the solo project. "Its fulfilling my dream as a songwriter. Its been the greatest experience what Hootie and the Blowfish have gone through. But after years of being in the studio and being a fourth of a great thing, it gives me a great opportunity to be the whole, to be calling the shots." It wont be decidedly different from his approach in the band, he says. "We all four write songs and I think the stuff I write is a little on the pop edge of the Hootie style, and I think youll hear that the harmonies and simple chord progression. But you have to listen to my voice instead of Dariuss. (He laughs again). I dont think thats the worst thing. Im comfortable with my voice."

Everyone in Hootie has something unique to contribute to the band, he says. "If we all wrote like me it would be a pretty sappy band," he says, laughing. "Dean has a different edge. Mark has a different view and Darius does as well. Thats what makes Hootie and the Blowfish." Sonefeld assesses his own strengths as keeping things simple.

The band has tried to keep it fun with Scattered, Smothered, and Covered. "To me, its Hooties Greatest Hits we didnt write," Sonefeld says. "Its songs we played through the years because we like them, not because they were big hits or sold millions of records. We dug deep from all our studio album sessions for the best recordings (that did not make the albums)."

Many of these cover versions have been available overseas as B-sides or bonus tracks, but none of them has been included on a domestically released Hootie album. "Were calling this The fans album, " Sonefeld says. The release is, in part, the result of an Internet campaign in which Hooties fans participated in determining the ultimate content. Fans were asked to register their song choices. Audio clips of eight Hootie covers were made available to help voters narrow their selections. In addition to picking five songs for inclusion, fans also determined the albums artwork by selecting one of three cover designs.

There was considerable response, Sonefeld says. Two of the songs Hootie considered including did not make the fans cut. "They definitely latched onto certain songs," he explains. Kim Richeys "Let Me Be Your Man was the top vote getter, he says. That along with Bill Withers Use Me -- is one of Sonefelds favorites on this record. There also is material from the Reivers, Don Dixon, R.E.M., Roy Orbison, Radney Foster and Led Zeppelin, among others.

He hopes such interaction with fans is the wave of the future. "Maybe not losing control of you art, but surely having a more positive Internet experience," he says. "In light of all the negativity and Napster this and bootlegging that, one day we will get control of it again and it will be as great as we want it to be."

The artist says the band is grateful for its loyal following. "There is lots of activity on the website. I think our fans tend to be more of music listeners, not about gossip and hair styles and dance routines." Those fans represent a broad demographic. "We had eight year olds singing Hold My Hand in 95 who are getting ready to go into high school, and parents of those kids now getting into mid-life crisis," Sonefeld says, laughing. "Theres a roll over in a way. I wonder how many of those people know that we put a third album out, let alone a second and will they be able to hear the new one?"

As much as they try not to have high hopes, he says, the band had hoped radio would have embraced Musical Chairs more. "This direct relation to radio playing songswhen radio doesnt play it a lot of fans dont know about it and that hurt us. We found out in a lot of markets we were competing with ourselves. They were playing our old songs. Thats not the worst thing in the world, but we felt our new material is stronger than ever."

He believes the music scene needs a new direction, acknowledging, however, "Its all cycles." "We were lucky enough to be peaking when our style was being accepted. Im not bitching too hard right now. Its not bad across the board. Some radio programming I think is at an all-time low, though."

Where does Hootie and the Blowfish fit in today? "I hope theres a spot for us on the radio, If there isnt were all okay with it. We just keep putting out CDs and hoping for the next hit. If Cher can wait six years between hits, why cant we?" He laughs.

The early commercial success has allowed Hootie to pretty much chart its own course, it seems. "Its paved the path for us in a way, financially, and definitely musically hopefully." Hootie has a different perception of its career, he suggests. "To take six months off is not the weirdest thing in the world anymore. Five years ago it would be unthinkable. We are very lucky we can do it. Not everyone can in this industry."

The stage continues to be a magnet, and Hootie has been called "The ultimate bar band." Sonefeld considers that a badge of honor. "When I was in college and someone said the ultimate bar band was coming, I said Ive got to see that band. "A good bar band, he says, is one that is not afraid to let themselves go. "Theyre not afraid to be very honest and vocal on stage with the audience. Theres not a lot to hide when the front row is five feet in front of you. Thats the glory of playing a bar. If the singers fly goes down, everyone sees that. If the drummer is sick and pukes in a bucket, people see that. Many things are hidden in the world of arenas." He laughs again.

Sonefeld says the band is looking forward to its forthcoming American club tour. Edwin McCain and Virginwool are to play opening sets. "The road is tougher than it used to be. The stage is as good as it ever was," Sonefeld says. "We will leave it all on stage. We have a hard time leaving. When you play two hours and have to quit (because of union rules) its disappointing. If people are having fun, we just keep playing."

Hooties music has been described in many ways. But to Sonefeld, "its just rocknroll." "Its songs that everybody can sing, its melodies everybody can hum and theres not a lot of pretension in there. Our music allows people to let go. It has that affect on our fans. Its music where the fans feel uninhibited and can clap their hands and sing along." And, despite any rumors to the contrary, Hooties song plays on.