Habeas Corpus - Biography
HABEAS CORPUS Revised: January 13, 2010
Habeas Corpus was originally formed under the name: PROPOSITION NONE, which was changed soon after during early 1990 in the city of Sacramento, California.
This line-up included Tom Jasper-drums, Pat Hernandez-guitar, Tom Jimenez-guitars, James Pope?bass & Howard McKenzie ?vocals. During the following year Habeas Corpus endured, it?s first of several member changes to come?.Howard McKenzie left the group and was replaced by Jim Atkinson. Also departing from the band was guitarist Pat Hernandez who was later replaced
by Matt Whalberg. 1991 saw the first studio done recording of the group which received excellent response from the underground, 1992 also saw the departure of current vocalist Jim Atkinson. Jim would later go on to front the groups: BORG-9 & BRUTAL GROOVE, and release several well received recordings. Jim was later replaced by Paul Laughlin. 1991 also saw the group win a battle of the bands which was held in Stockton, a $1,000 Grand prize was awarded to Habeas Corpus, among the competitors were the Deftones & Papa Roach. Early 1993 saw the groups firing of vocalist Paul Laughlin, who was then replaced by
Don McMillan III from the groups Deathforce, Shattered Silence & Amnesty. Mid-1993 saw yet another departure of members?.guitarist Matt Whalberg and bassist James Pope announced they were leaving the group. This caused a major set-back for Habeas Corpus who at the time of this change was in the middle of recording their next release, which was halted. Rehearsing as a 3 piece without a bassist or lead guitarist Habeas Corpus welcomed guitarist Scott Tompkins in early 1994. Due to frustration following many bassist auditions, vocalist Don McMillan III assumed the role of vocalist & bassist.
Late 1994 saw the approach of Notorious rap label Black Market Records, who showed immediate interest in the groups intensity and dedicated following. During negotiations Habeas Corpus signed a three year deal with Black Market and entered the studio To record their debut album. Early 1995 saw the completion of the album and a string of live shows to come?Habeas Corpus performed continuously Over the next 6 months until the Summer of 1995 when Bassist Dan Parvin was added to the line-up freeing vocalist Don McMillan III from bass duties. Habeas Corpus debut album was released in September of 1995 and received immediate critical praise as one of the best debuts of 1995. This praise came at a time when the now thriving metal scene had gone stagnant?.
Late 1995 saw the departure of guitarist Scott Tompkins and the decision to remain a one guitar band was made. Habeas Corpus continued to perform throughout 1995 and early 1996 with such act?s as Fear Factory, Cathedral, Trouble, Skinlab, Sadus & Torque.
Habeas Corpus? debut album ?Coated with Lies? saw distribution of over 8,000 copies before Black Market released the group from contract In early 1997?Habeas Corpus soon entered the studio to record their follow up to ?Coated with Lies? entitled ?Stains Absorb? a 4 song demo which was Released in mid 1997 and drew the attention of A&R rep. Borvoj Krgin from Century Media. Borvoj continued to analyze the group?s progress and began to consider label placement before his untimely departure from Century Media. Thusly all contact with Century Media was ended. Late 1997 saw more extensive gigging by the band with groups Sadus, Skinlab & Torque. November 1997 saw the announcement from drummer Tom Jasper he would be leaving the band after a final show
on Nov 10th with Sadus in Sacramento.
January 1998 saw the approach of Chris Poland & Eclipse records with interest in Habeas Corpus for the ?Outer Limits Extreme Compilation? Habeas Corpus featured their song 13th Knot from the Stains Absorb demo on the compilation which saw mail order and retail distribution worldwide. During the following months the group continued with drummer auditions, when approached by Dwell records for the first time Habeas Corpus re-enlisted the drum services of Tom Jasper for the Metallica & Megadeth tributes. This relation between Dwell and Habeas Corpus matured into the group ultimately performing on 4 albums which included tributes to Metallica, Megadeth, White Zombie and Testament?of which the group had the pleasure of working with guitar legend James Murphy who recorded and produced the Testament track in his private Sound Temple Studio. Habeas Corpus has and continues to receive excellent worldwide response from these tributes. Original guitarist Tom Jimenez was not featured on the Megadeth,
White Zombie or Testament tracks due to his departure from the group following the completion of the Metallica tribute in 1998. During these 3 tribute recordings then Bassist for the group Dan Parvin assumed the role of Lead guitarist and also performed the bass tracks on the Metallica & Megadeth tributes. Habeas Corpus recruited former Dominant Rage Bassist Dave Counts in May of 1999 following Dan Parvins transition to guitar, Dave appears on the WZ & Testament tributes and also appeared on the recent release ?Crucified? Dave remains with the group today.
Tom Jasper departed from the group in mid-1998 and was then replaced by former Uteris drummer Jeff Berchelli. Jeff performed with the group for 8 months and appeared on the White Zombie & Testament tracks before his dismissal in January 2000.
Jeff was immediately replaced by Dan Walton. Dan performed and recorded the current demo ?Crucified? with the group in 2000, following the demo release Habeas Corpus, saw extensive gigging throughout California during the summer months with such acts as Deeds of Flesh, Warhorse, Dying Fetus, Eyehategod, Disgorge & Medication.
December of 2000, saw the departure of drummer Dan Walton. Habeas Corpus thusly held steady auditions for 4 months and is now proud to announce they are currently rehearsing with former Malignancy drummer Lenny Edwards, and welcome him to the Habeas Family.
Currently as of April 2001 Habeas Corpus is rehearsing and performing material for the forth coming album due out During the summer of 2002.
