Adema

Emerging from California's Central Valley—the same area that produced Korn and Videodrone—Adema coalesced as a melodic hard rock band featuring guitarists Mike Ransom and Tim Fluckey, bassist Dave DeRoo, drummer Kris Kohls, and singer Mark Chavez, the younger half-brother of Korn's Jonathan Davis. Former members of Bakersfield outfits Juice and SexArt, the latter of which had included Davis and Orgy's Ryan Shuck, made up the core. This exact lineup spent a full year together before playing any shows. Demos from that period triggered a major-label bidding war that delivered a contract with Arista, an outcome driven by Chavez's family ties. Songwriting for the self-titled debut occurred inside a northern California cabin whose cramped quarters and ensuing cabin fever produced intense yet effective sessions. Recording took place in Los Angeles under producers Bill Appleberry of 7th House and Tobias Miller, the Wallflowers guitarist. Released in August 2001, Adema served the industry as a benchmark for hitmaker and newly installed Arista president Antonio Reid's prospects beyond R&B. Strong results earned the band a main-stage Ozzfest slot and gold certification the following year. Before their next album, the six-song EP Insomniac's Dream surfaced, then the Howard Benson-produced full-length Unstable arrived in 2003. Despite its performance, Arista's collapse stranded the group until Earache offered refuge. Compounding the label loss, guitarist Mike Ransom and singer Mark Chavez exited, the latter to chase other pursuits. After reviewing numerous vocal candidates, the remaining members chose Southern Californian Luke Caraccioli. Studio work resumed, culminating in Planets, issued April 2005. That configuration dissolved quickly when Caraccioli quit soon after the album appeared, yet replacement Bobby Reeves—previously frontman of L.A. band LEVEL—arrived the next year and brought guitarist Ed Faris. Signed to Immortal Records, Adema delivered Kill the Headlights in summer 2007.