Mad Hatter 2.0 are a groove metal group from Cornwall, active from 2010 to 2016. The band forms as a rebirth of the earlier Mad Hatter line-up, which dates from 1987 to 1995.

History

The original Mad Hatter band supports acts including Scorpions, Wolfsbane, Girlschool, Whitelion and Paul Di’Anno’s Killers, and also appears with Paul Di’Anno’s Killers on parts of the Murder One UK tour. It later disbands in 1995 after internal problems and a wider decline in metal’s popularity.

Mad Hatter 2.0 begins in 2010 with Marc on vocals, Paul on guitar, Billy on bass and Jai on drums. Marc and Jai are both from the original Mad Hatter line-up. Later in 2010, Billy and Jai leave and are replaced by Kurt on drums and Hayden on bass. That line-up remains until the final split in 2016.

By the end of 2010 the band has played many gigs and issued the EP Perseverance, along with several demos, building a strong local reputation. In 2012 they release the EP E.M.T.. After guitarist Paul leaves, the band later adds two guitarists, Dave, who also plays with Create Chaos, and Dan, who plays with My Deprivation. Dan’s time in the group is brief, and the band returns to a single-guitarist setup.

Releases

Mad Hatter 2.0 release a double A-side single, Forgiven / Own Worst Enemy, in 2012. A PledgeMusic campaign helps fund their first album, Deconstruct, which appears in 2013. In 2016 they issue the single Stand Up.

Performances and split

The band performs at many venues and festivals across the United Kingdom. They split in 2013 because of health issues affecting multiple members, reform in 2015, and then end again in 2016 for the same reason. The final line-up consists of Marc on vocals, Paul and Dave on guitars, Hayden on bass and Kurt on drums. After the final split, Marc says there is no continuation of the group and goes on to work with his new band, Torqued.