oddman

Will Haven

Will Haven is a metal band from Sacramento, California, USA.

History

In 1995, Will Haven, named after a fictional, self-created character, formed and released a six-track demo. The band was formed from members of Sock, a band that was formed with Shaun Lopez of Far. Will Haven's debut self-titled, seven-track EP was released in 1996, to positive reviews. A year later, the quartet was signed to Revelation. Singer Grady Avenell guested on two Far tracks - 9 Miles, and a cover of Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas Time? with Chino Moreno of Deftones.

1997 saw the release of full-length El Diablo bringing them increasing attention and a growing fanbase. In 1999, they released WHVN, arguably their heaviest album to date. The song Jaworksi is named after Red Tape's frontman and friend Jeff Jaworksi, who was Jeff Irwin's guitar tech at the time; and Slopez is named after Shaun Lopez, who was the guitarist for Far. During this time, the band recorded a track called The Regulator for the Bad Brains' Never Give In tribute album, and toured with Deftones through Europe.

In 2000, long-time drummer Wayne Morse left the band, to be eventually replaced by Mitch Wheeler. Grady guested on a Soulfly track with Chino, called Pain, on the album Primitive.

In 2001, they released the critically-acclaimed Carpe Diem, which saw a world-tour promotion, headlining shows in the US, UK, and Japan, and playing the Vans Warped Tour in Australia. Single Carpe Diem featured Chino Moreno in the promotional video; similarly, members of Haven are in the promotional video for Deftones' Bored, a single from their album Adrenaline.

Singer Grady Avenell left not long after the tour, to raise a family and attend college. Haven released a DVD called Foreign Films featuring their last ever show in January 2002 - in a small coffeehouse in their hometown of Sacramento, called The Capitol Garage - and a wealth of footage from the final tour. Members of the band went on to form Ghostride (with members of Tinfed and Oddman), The Abominable Iron Sloth, and Death Valley High, as well as their own label, Distruktor Records.

Haven Regroup

On October 12, 2005, Will Haven officially regrouped and began writing new songs with original singer Grady. They initially planned to release a five-song EP with B-sides; however, during the writing process, the band decided to put out a full-length album. Haven, now a five-piece with guitarist Cayle Hunter from Ghostride and Oddman fame, went to Los Angeles to record 12 songs for the new album, due for release on an as-yet-unknown label, in summer. Guitarist Jeff Irwin told Rocksound: "If this is the last record we ever do, then i want it to be our ultimate one -- the one that's absolutely perfect"

In January 2006, Haven returned to the stage with a show in Sacramento's Boardwalk. In February, new song Handlebars to Freedom was uploaded to their MySpace profile. In March, they travelled to the UK, for a co-headlining tour with Crowbar. Grady was announced unable to perform at the Will Haven dates in Glasgow and Newport, due to problems with his wife in Paris, so Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro, Craig B of Aereogramme, Mikey Dee of Skindred, Crowbar frontman, Kirk Windstein and XSheepX of The Seventh Cross were asked to do guest vocals for both nights. Grady rejoined the band at the following dates. The band had plans for tours through Europe, Australia and a summer tour with the Deftones, but so far, that hasn't happened yet.

As of August 2006, Will Haven has signed a record deal with indie label Bieler Bros. Records. The demos that have been online won't appear on this record. One of the demos, Handlebars To Freedom, will appear on a compilation disc of new Australian label Static Migration Records. Second guitarist Cayle Hunter was kicked out of the band and is now focusing on his new band, called Armed For Apocalypse.

On February 19th 2007 Will Haven played a free show at the Troubador in Los Angeles, promising a 'big announcement' would be made at the show - namely that Grady Avenell had left the band and been replaced by longtime friend of the band (and former vocalist for Red Tape) Jeff Jaworski. In Spring 2007, the band went to Europe with Deftones.

The band released the album The Hierophant on June 18th 2007 (UK) and June 19th 2007 in the US. A post made by guitarist Jeff Irwin on an unofficial message board stated that the band intend to tour the new material later on in 2007.

A Headline UK tour eventually followed in November 2007 without Mike Martin on bass; however no explanation has been given for his absence. Bass duties for the tour were covered by long-time friend Rey Osburn, vocalist/guitarist of Death Valley High, whose album Irwin and Wheeler contributed to, and Ghostride whose lineup constists out of Will Haven minus lead singer.

In september 2008 Will Haven embarked on a headlining European tour with French band My Own Private Alaska and further support differing per city. Again Rey Osburn played bass as Mike Martin was having kids.

Members

Jeff Jaworski – Vocals
Jeff Irwin – Guitar
Mike Martin – Bass
Mitch Wheeler – Drums

Former

Grady Avenell – Vocals (1995-2006)
Cayle Hunter – Guitar (2005-2006)
Wayne Morse – Drums (1995-2000)
Dave Hulse – Drums (2000-2001)
Chris Robyn – Drums (2000)

Discography

Albums

El Diablo (1997)
WHVN (1999)
Carpe Diem (2001)
The Hierophant (2007)

EPs

Will Haven Demo (1995)
Will Haven EP (1996)
The Best Song On Here (Demo) (2000)
Will Haven EP (Remastered) (2003)

Singles

Carpe Diem (2001)

DVD

2003 Foreign Films directed by Brad Oates / Trainwreck Productions

Guesting

1995 – Far – Grady guests on the song "9 Miles"
1995 – Far The Bands That Stole Christmas – Grady guests on "Do They Know It's Christmas?" together with Chino Moreno from Deftones
1999 – Every Day Life Moment of Clarity – Grady guests on the song "Relocate"
2000 – Soulfly Primitive – Grady guests on "Pain" together with Chino Moreno from Deftones