Hater - The 2nd










Hater. That is the unfortunate name of, possibly, the best band to come out of the Seattle area after 1994. Also, unfortunately, it's hard to say whether or not they're really a band anymore. The good news is that a recording made around 1994 or 1995 has recently been released by Burn Burn Burn Records.

The core of Hater is Matt Cameron and Ben Sheperd, both formerly with Soundgarden. In Soundgarden Cameron played drums and Sheperd bass. In Hater Cameron is still on drums and Sheperd has gone back to guitar, which he played with bands before Soundgarden including Nirvana for a while some say (pre 90's). Cameron also does main vocals here on a track or two. Sheperd's got a good rough rock and roll style vocal. Kind of like P.W. Long (formerly of Mule) without so much soul and blues.

Other players include John McBain of Monster Magnet, Wellwater Conspiracy (probably an even better post '94 Seattle band, also with Matt Cameron [vocals/guitar]), Alan David, John Watermen, Brian Wood, Greg Keplinger and Bill Rieflin who played with Ministry, KMFDM, Pigface and others. I think all these guys also played in other bands, but I can't remember who in what.

It's pretty garage rock in terms of sound/recording quality; it is some sweet action rock & roll with great sounds and timing that is just good enough to keep it off the radio, also unfortunately because people should be supporting independant music. This album definitely shows who put the Sound in Soundgarden. Chris Cornell has gone on to show who put the garden in.

There's no Kim Thayil which is too bad because I like his Soundgarden songs quite a bit. Hater sounds like the best melodic and edgy parts of the former band (I think Thayil put the heavy in to it all). It's too bad they didn't take this group further because they could have made Sebadoh look like schoolboys. Of course, I loved Sebadoh and no one can touch Lou Barlow when it comes to the sad, boy so hurt songs; except Elliot Smith, but that ain't going to happen any time soon again.

Anyways, if you're looking to get something new, even though it's quite old it is still a new release, and I recommend getting Hater, The 2nd.