Haji's Kitchen

Infobox musical artist
Name = Haji's Kitchen
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Lewisville, Texas
Genre = Progressive metal
Heavy Metal
Progressive rock
Hard rock
Years_active = 1992/1993-Present
Label = Shrapnel Records (1995)
M Records (2001)
Unsigned (1992/1993-1994, 1996-2000, 2002-Present)
Associated_acts = Vanilla Ice
URL = [http://www.hajiskitchen.com/ Haji's Kitchen]
Current_members = Eddie Head
Derek Blakley
Rob Stankiewicz
Past_members = Clint Barlow
Eddie Ellis
Brett Stine
Vince Mullins
Scott Stine

Haji's Kitchen, sometimes shortened to just Haji, is a three piece Progressive metal band from Lewisville, Texas. Formed in either 1992 or 1993, the band members themselves uncertain, they take influences from early Heavy Metal and modern progressive rock.

Biography

Early history and breakthrough

The first "known" incarnation of Haji's Kitchen was formed in 1992/1993 by founding members Eddie Head, Brett Stine, Derek Blakley, and Clint Barlow (now with Vanilla Ice). Though there were earlier incarnations of the band, their history has been tracked back to the point when they first played live, as stated by Blakley on the band's MySpaceDerek Blakley. "About Haji's Kitchen." " [http://www.myspace.com/hajimusic Official MySpace] ". Retrieved on May 7, 2007.]

According to Blakley, the band's name was decided when Clint Barlow walked into the rehearsal room where Eddie was eating his lunch, and upon smelling the Indian food, which in the words of Blakley "has a rather pronounced odor", stated, "Damn...it smells like Haji's Kitchen in here" and the band name was born.

Shortly after Brett Stine left in 1995, his brother Scott joined the band, and they started receiving complaints that their CD was too hard to find to purchase. This was because Shrapnel Records, the first label they were signed to, had produced a limited run of only 5000 CDs and refused to print any more copies.

Mid-history

Upon leaving Shrapnel Records due to the very limited release of their debut album, Haji underwent another lineup change. Creative differences began to erupt with Eddie Ellis and after he left them during a performance, which resulted in the band playing a gig purely instrumentally in Lubbock, Texas, he was kicked out of the band. In response, Vince Mullins was hired on vocals as a replacement. This newly formed line-up proceeded to release their 2001 album "Sucker Punch" with the local independent label M Records.

Recent events

In 2003, Haji's songs "Day After Day" and "Lost" were featured in the Dragon Ball Z feature film . However, shortly after the debut of the new songs, Mullins departed from the band in 2004.

As of 2007, Haji's future is uncertain. They have no vocalist at this point in time, and the remaining members are in various side projects. However, in November 2006 a message came up on their official website stating that a new album was in the works. Whether or not this is true remains to be seen.

Discography

*"Haji's Kitchen" (1995)
*"Sucker Punch" (2001)
*Haji's Kitchen's Third Studio Album (2006-?)

Current

* Eddie Head - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar (1992/1993 - present)
* Derek Blakley - Bass Guitar (1992/1993 - present)
* Rob Stankiewicz - drums (1994 - present)

Former

* Eddie Ellis - vocals (1993 - 1998)
* Vincent Mullins - vocals (1999 - 2004)
* Brett Stine - Rhythm guitar (1992/1993 - 1995)
* Scott Stine - Rhythm guitar (1995 - 1998)
* Clint Barlow - drums (1992/1993 - 1994)

Members today

According to the band's MySpace, former vocalist Eddie Ellis was last sighted in San Francisco, California.

The Stine brothers (Brett and Scott) are both "happily married" and Brett has a baby girl. Scott is now director of music at his church and says that he "still shreds from time to time."

Clint Barlow is engaged, touring the world, and now works with Vanilla Ice as documented on his personal MySpace.

Eddie Head is managing Cheyenne Kimball and continues to be partially active in Haji's Kitchen.

Rob Stankiewicz is now married, and plays drums for the band Somsara, and running light shows for local Dallas, Texas bands.

Derek Blakley is now bass for Somsara, and continues to be partially active in Haji's Kitchen.

Vince Mullins is happily married with two kids in east Texas.

References

External links

* [http://www.hajiskitchen.com/main.html Haji's Kitchen] Official Website
* [http://www.myspace.com/hajimusic Haji's MySpace] Official MySpace