In 1993, Soundgarden members Ben Shepherd and Matt Cameron formed a side-project band, which they called Hater. They were joined by former Monster Magnet guitarist John McBain. The band's music featured a psychedelic garage rock sound, taking influence from The Stooges. Shepherd sang vocals and played guitar in Hater, in addition to writing several songs on the band's first release, Hater, which was released on September 21, 1993 through A&M Records. Allmusic said, "Those expecting a Soundgarden-esque hard rock album were caught off guard by Hater's penchant for garage rock and classic rock sounds."
Side-projects and break up (1995-98)
The band contributed a song for the 1995 compilation album, , called "Convicted". The musicians for the track were Shepherd, McBain, bassist Alan Davis, and Cameron. This same lineup recorded a second Hater album in 1995 following Soundgarden's Superunknown tour. The album, however, would be delayed. During the lengthy hiatus, Shepherd found time to complete the tracks for Hater's second album between his collaborations with Wellwater Conspiracy, the Mark Lanegan Band, and several other artists. In 1997, after Hater broke up, Shepherd and McBain participated in the first Desert Sessions, a musical project led by Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme. Cameron joined Pearl Jam in 1998 and would go on to become the band's permanent drummer. Cameron and McBain kept Wellwater Conspiracy going as a permanent side project.
Post-breakup activities (2005-present)
Hater's second album, called The 2nd, would finally see release on April 26, 2005. It was released through Burn Burn Burn. Allmusic said that the album is "quite comparable to the group's first release" in that it contains "loose n' fun garage rockers." In 2005, Shepherd recruited bassist Andrew Church, guitarist Bubba Dupree, and drummer Andy Duvall to support The 2nd with a tour following the release of the album. On September 30, 2008, Shepherd and Cameron reunited to perform a Hater show at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle, Washington. Hater, initially released through A&M Records only on CD and cassette in 1993, was reissued on CD, and for the first time digitally and on vinyl, by UMe in July 2016.
