Hater was a short-lived American rock side project formed in the early 1990s and led by Soundgarden bassist Ben Shepherd. The group pursued a loose, garage-tinged sound that drew on proto-punk and psychedelic influences rather than the heavy grunge of its members' primary bands. Hater functioned as a creative outlet: recorded with an offhand, rehearsal-room approach, its music emphasized raw energy, short grooves and a retro sensibility.
Musical style and influences
The band is often described as merging the attitude of The Stooges with a 1960s-style psychedelic garage aesthetic. Rather than aiming for radio polish, Hater favored distorted guitars, fuzzy riffs, and a relaxed, improvisational feel. Vocals and arrangements were intentionally unpretentious, and the material showcased a different side of the musicians involved—less about virtuoso displays and more about communal rock swagger.
Members and collaborators
- Ben Shepherd – founder and primary songwriter (also of Soundgarden)
- Matt Cameron – drums (also of Soundgarden and later Pearl Jam)
- John McBain – guitar (formerly of Monster Magnet; later part of Wellwater Conspiracy)
- John Waterman – bass on the debut album
- Alan Davis – bass on The 2nd
- Brian Wood – contributor and vocalist (brother of Andrew Wood)
The lineup shifted between recordings and sessions, reflecting the casual, project-based nature of Hater. Several members had ongoing collaborations outside the group, including the formation of Wellwater Conspiracy with McBain and Cameron.
Recordings and releases
Hater released two albums. Their self-titled debut arrived in 1993 and captured the spontaneous, garage-rock approach the band favored. A second collection of songs, often referred to as The 2nd, was recorded in 1995 but remained unreleased until 2005, when it appeared to the public and completed the band’s small recorded legacy. Between those records, Hater contributed a standalone track, "Convicted," to the 1995 compilation Hempilation: Freedom Is NORML; that song featured the same core lineup that later appeared on The 2nd.
Context and significance
As a side project, Hater is notable for demonstrating how established musicians from the Seattle scene explored different musical directions away from their main bands. The project provides insight into the wider, more playful musical interests of its members: it contrasts with the darker, more produced material of Soundgarden and illustrates the porous boundaries between grunge, garage revival and psychedelic rock during the 1990s. Hater's records are of interest to fans who want a glimpse of the informal, experimental sessions that circulated among musicians in that era.
Discography (selected)
- Hater (1993) — debut album capturing garage/psychedelic influences
- The 2nd (recorded 1995, released 2005) — previously shelved sessions
- "Convicted" — contributed to Hempilation: Freedom Is NORML (1995 compilation)
For further reading and session details, explore resources that document the 1990s Seattle music scene and the side projects of its principal figures. Useful entry points include interviews, retrospective pieces and dedicated discographies that trace how musicians moved between bands and projects; see links for more context on the artists and releases listed here: band background, album notes.