Hater

Hater is a Seattle group associated with Soundgarden. The line-up includes Brian Wood and Andy DuVall, and the band is active from 1993 before ending. It forms as a side-project in the 1990s around Matt Cameron, Ben Shepherd, John McBain and Brian Wood, with Cameron also known for work in Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog and Pearl Jam, Shepherd from Soundgarden, and McBain from Monster Magnet. Brian Wood is the brother of Mother Love Bone frontman Andrew Wood.

Background and releases

The group records its self-titled debut album between Soundgarden albums Badmotorfinger and Superunknown, and it is released in 1993. A second album appears in 2005, drawing on demos from sessions recorded in 1995. Although linked to members of a heavy rock band, Hater’s music moves away from Soundgarden’s Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin influence and instead uses a garage rock sound with a classic rock feel. Its version of Cat Stevens’s “Mona Bone Jakon” is one of the tracks that reflects that direction.

Related activity

After Hater, the band minus Brian Wood later forms Wellwater Conspiracy with the three remaining members. The project remains a notable part of the wider Soundgarden circle.