Hater (band)
| Company type | Supergroup |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 in Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Founder | Ben Shepherd, Matt Cameron, John McBain |
| Headquarters | Seattle , United States |
| Products | Rock music albums |
Hater was a rock supergroup from the United States, established in 1993 in Seattle, Washington. Primarily functioning as a side endeavor, it was spearheaded by Soundgarden bassist Ben Shepherd. The lineup featured Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron, guitarist John McBain—formerly of Monster Magnet and later collaborating with Cameron and Shepherd in Wellwater Conspiracy—alongside bassist John Waterman on their self-titled debut. Vocal duties were handled by Brian Wood of Devilhead, who is the brother of Andrew Wood from Mother Love Bone, with Alan Davis taking over bass responsibilities on their follow-up album The 2nd.
Origins and debut release (1993–94)
In 1993, Ben Shepherd and Matt Cameron of Soundgarden initiated Hater as a side project, bringing in ex-Monster Magnet guitarist John McBain. The band's musical style combined elements of psychedelic garage rock with classic rock influences, marking a clear departure from Soundgarden’s heavier sound. Shepherd took on vocals, guitar, and songwriting for their debut record, Hater, which was released on September 21, 1993 through A&M Records. Critics highlighted the album’s shift away from Soundgarden’s hard rock toward a more garage and classic rock-inspired direction.
Side projects and hiatus (1995–98)
In 1995, Hater contributed the track "Convicted" to the compilation album Hempilation: Freedom Is NORML, featuring Shepherd, McBain, bassist Alan Davis, and Cameron. Following the tour for Soundgarden’s Superunknown, this lineup recorded a second Hater album; however, its release was postponed.
During this period of inactivity, Shepherd completed material for Hater's sophomore album while also working with Wellwater Conspiracy—a side project with Cameron and McBain—as well as collaborating with the Mark Lanegan Band and other musicians. After Hater disbanded in 1997, Shepherd and McBain participated in the inaugural The Desert Sessions, led by Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age. Meanwhile, Cameron became Pearl Jam’s permanent drummer in 1998, and he along with McBain continued to develop Wellwater Conspiracy as an ongoing venture.
Activities following disbandment (2005–present)
The long-delayed second album, The 2nd, was eventually released on April 26, 2005 via Burn Burn Burn. Critics described it as maintaining the spirit of the group’s initial effort, featuring relaxed and enjoyable garage rock tracks. To promote this release, Shepherd assembled a touring band including bassist Andrew Church (Broadcast Oblivion), guitarist Bubba Dupree (Void), and drummer Andy Duvall (Zen Guerrilla). On September 30, 2008, Shepherd reunited with Cameron for a Hater show at Seattle’s Tractor Tavern.
Originally available only on CD and cassette through A&M Records in 1993, Hater received a reissue by UMe in July 2016 across CD, vinyl, and digital platforms.
Members
- Matt Cameron – drums, vocals (1993–1997, 2005)
- John McBain – guitar (1993–1997)
- Ben Shepherd – guitar, vocals (1993–1997)
- John Waterman – bass guitar (1993–1995)
- Brian Wood – lead vocals (1993–1995)
- Alan Davis – bass guitar (1995–1997)
- Andrew Church – bass guitar (2005)
- Bubba Dupree – guitar (2005)
- Andy Duvall – drums (2005)
Studio albums
| Year | Album information |
|---|---|
| 1993 | Hater
|
| 2005 | The 2nd
|
Singles
| Year | Single title | Album association |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "Who Do I Kill?" | Hater |
| "Circles" |
Other appearances
| Year | Track | Compilation title | Record label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "Convicted" | Hempilation: Freedom Is NORML | Capricorn |