Haji's Kitchen
American metal band from Lewisville, Texas, formed in 1992.
Haji's Kitchen, often called Haji, is an American metal band from Lewisville, Texas. The group formed around 1992, though the members themselves are not entirely sure of the exact date. Their sound blends early heavy metal with modern progressive rock, and they have been compared to Alice in Chains and Pantera.
The first known version of the band came together in 1992 or 1993, with founders Eddie Head, Brett Stine, Derek Blakley, and Clint Barlow (who later worked with Vanilla Ice). Earlier lineups existed, but the band's history is traced from their first live show, as Blakley noted on MySpace. The name "Haji's Kitchen" came about when Clint Barlow walked into rehearsal while Eddie Head was eating lunch. Smelling the Indian food—which Blakley described as having a strong odor—Barlow said, "Damn...it smells like Haji's Kitchen in here," and the name stuck.
After Brett Stine left in 1995, his brother Scott joined. Around this time, fans complained that the band's debut album was hard to find, as it was self-released or on an independent label with a limited pressing of only 5,000 copies, and no further copies were made.
Leaving that label due to the limited release, the band went through another lineup change. Creative differences arose with vocalist Eddie Head, and after he missed a gig in Lubbock, Texas, he was fired. Vince Mullins replaced him on vocals. This new lineup released the 2001 album *Sucker Punch* on the local label M Records, which leaned toward a nu metal sound, unlike their debut.
In 2003, the band went on an extended hiatus after singer Vince Mullins departed for reasons not disclosed. They remained without a vocalist until 2011, when Daniel Tompkins joined.
On February 9, 2010, the band posted on MySpace that they had returned to the studio to record drums for the first time in at least seven years. It was also the first time in a decade—since the *Sucker Punch* sessions—that they had recorded material intended for release. Guitarist Brett Stine had rejoined the lineup.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Lewisville, Texas, U.S.
- Genre
- Progressive metal / groove metal / nu metal
- Years Active
- 1992–present
- Label
- Shrapnel Records (1995) / M Records (2001) / Unsigned (1992–1994, 1996–2000, 2002–present)
- Associated Acts
- Thought Chamber, Vanilla Ice, TesseracT
- Current Members
- Eddie Head / Derek Blakley / Rob Stankiewicz / Brett Stine
- Past Members
- Clint Barlow / Eddie Ellis / Vince Mullins / Scott Stine / Daniel Tompkins
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
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. The band's name originated when Clint Barlow smelled Indian food Eddie Head was eating and said, 'Damn...it smells like Haji's Kitchen in here.' After Brett Stine left in 1995, his brother Scott joined, and the band faced complaints that their debut CD was hard to find because it was self-released or on an independent label, with only 5000 copies produced and no further pressings.
After leaving that label, creative differences led to vocalist Eddie Head being kicked out after he failed to show up for a gig in Lubbock, Texas. Vince Mullins replaced him, and the band released the 2001 album Sucker Punch with a more nu metal sound.
Reader's Guide
Haji's Kitchen occupies a niche in American metal as a band that evolved from a more traditional heavy/progressive sound to a nu metal style on their second album, then returned with a more progressive approach on their third. Their significance lies partly in their persistence through numerous lineup changes and a long hiatus, and partly in their connection to the Dragon Ball Z franchise, which brought their music to an international audience. The band's history illustrates the challenges independent metal acts faced with limited label support, as their debut album's scarcity became a point of frustration for fans. Their later work with Daniel Tompkins, known from Tesseract and Skyharbor, linked them to the progressive metal scene. While never achieving mainstream success, Haji's Kitchen remains a footnote in Texas metal history, notable for their unusual name origin and their ability to regroup after years of inactivity.
Did You Know?
- The band's name came from a comment about the smell of Indian food Eddie Head was eating.
- Their debut album was limited to only 5000 copies by Shrapnel Records, which refused to print more.
- Two of their songs were featured in the 2003 Dragon Ball Z film Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan.
- Former vocalist Vincent Mullins died in 2016 from stage-four melanoma at age 44.
More in American groove metal musical groups 1-24
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