HATER was a side project of then SOUNDGARDEN men bassist Ben Shepard and drummer Matt Cameron. Former FIRE ANTS vocalist Brian Wood (brother of MOTHER LOVE BONE's late Andrew Wood) fronted the band. Guitarist JOHN McBAIN was previously a member of MONSTER MAGNET. Alan Davies of the MARK LANEGAN band took over bass guitar during 1995.

Shepard, McBain and Wood also ran another part time unit DEVILHEAD during the same time frame. McBain and Shepard would later form WELLWATER CONSPIRACY. Cameron would become a full time member of PEARL JAM.

A second HATER album, compiled from material recorded between the SOUNDGARDEN albums 'Superunknown' of 1994 and 'Down On The Upside' in 1996, was set for April 2005 release through Burn Burn Burn Records. These sessions saw musical contributions from Shepard, Cameron, McBain, Davies and MINISTRY drummer Bill Rieflin. HATER was back on the road for a series of US West Coast gigs in August.

JOHN McBAIN issued the solo album 'The In-Flight Feature' through Duna Records in February 2006.