Adema 'Adema' album

Adema - Adema

"I'm about bringing the show back to rock," says Mark "Marky" Chavez, lead singer and frontman extraordinaire of Bakersfield band Adema. "I remember when I was really young, a little teenager, I wanted to connect with the singer up there. I wanted some action and movement. When I'm onstage, I'm everywhere. I want to get those kids that are way, way in the back, because they remember that shit."

Coming together in the same Central Valley breeding ground that spawned bands like Korn and Videodrone, Adema is the most buzzed-about heavy rock sensation of the year. After months of major label bidding warfare that reached massive proportions, Adema signed with Arista Records and began not only a series of high-profile gigs, but recording one of the most anticipated debut albums of 2001.

"We go on the Internet and people are digging it (already,)" says Chavez, who watched demand for a digital version of the band's song "Everyone" nearly shut down the servers of promotional website Streetwise.com. "People either really love it or they don't, and that's when you know you have a successful band, because if people just go, ?eh, it's okay,' you know they're not even gonna buy the record."

Chavez's confidence may come from his proximity to one of the most vital music scenes of the last decade. Growing up in Bakersfield - where he worked as a day care supervisor and flirted with becoming a teacher - the then-teenaged vocalist was well acquainted with many of the popular local acts, like Juice and SexArt, out of which came the musicians who would form Adema, Mike Ransom being the first. DeRoo and Fluckey were in Juice, the band that grew out of the ashes of SexArt, which included Davis and guitarist Ryan Shuck of Orgy. But Chavez had another connection as well: his older half-brother was Jonathan Davis, lead singer for Bakersfield's most successful export, Korn.
"His biggest influence on me, and absolutely the best thing he could have done for me, was telling me when I wasn't good enough," confides Chavez about his brother. "I'm the type - and this is something that's instilled in our family - that when I want something, I go for it; there's no way you're gonna deny me or tell me I can't have it. But as far as being there and being supportive and stuff, he was awesome."

And just what is this music that sent two dozen record labels into a literal feeding frenzy on the basis of demos alone? Nothing less than a powerful, hard-driving, yet richly emotional fusion of heavy rock foundations, street sensibilities, and melodic modern rock flourishes that create one of the most original sounds on the already saturated "nu metal" scene. "When they called, I was just thinking, ?okay, I'll just do the demo and check it out,'" recalls Kohls, who was still in Videodrone at the time. "But they came to my house, they played me two songs, and they just blew me away."

The band had been rehearsing and demoing material for a year before Kohls joined, but the demos they did with him earned the attention of the record industry before Adema had set foot on a single stage. After clinching the deal with Arista, the band members retreated to a cabin in northern California for the intensive writing sessions that yielded the material for their debut album. "That's where the honeymoon ended!" laughs Kohls.

"We had a few little scuffles, some cabin fever happening there," admits Chavez. "We got real down and dirty and wrote this record, but it was perfect. The first night, all our gear is hooked up, Mike strums his guitar, and boom, it just starts hammering down snow. We wrote that song "Giving In," and that just set the tone right there."

"?Giving In' is a song about personal addictions," continues the singer. "I was really screwed up with liquor for a while, and I expressed a lot of bad feelings through alcohol. It gives you the feeling that you don't have any connection with anyone, and the title means you're just giving in to all those feelings, giving in to the bad side of life to numb yourself to responsibility."

Other songs on the album, such as "Everyone" and "Freaking Out," reflect darker sides of human nature. "?Everyone' is about people who always want to point the finger at other people, instead of looking at themselves. But the song itself is sort of laughing at those kind of people. ?Freaking Out' is about growing up in a town where you're either a football player or you're nothing. There's nothing wrong with sports, but I wasn't respected for being a musician. It's also about paranoia, always tripping out about what people are saying about you."

Despite the heavy subject matter, Chavez says that "I'm into making people feel good about living. A lot of these rockers out there are always going, ?boo-hoo, my parents, boo-hoo, life's so bad,' But you know what? Life ain't that bad." A perfect example is"The Way You Like It," which boasts an almost hip-hop braggadocio. "That's my arrogant side. It's about doing things the way I wanted to do them, and people telling me I was stupid for doing that, but I did it anyway and it worked for me."

Adema got together in L.A. with producers Bill Appleberry (7th House) and Tobias Miller (guitarist with the Wallflowers) to record their long-awaited, self-titled debut. "We worked our asses off," says Chavez, "but we fully believe in this record." Next this five-man powerhouse will take their act on the road and prove that no matter who anyone is related to, it still comes down to the music and the musicians who play it.

"After the end of Videodrone, I was like, ?Am I ever gonna be able to fit in a real band again?'" says Kohls. "But when I started playing with these guys, I couldn't believe it. We were all one hundred percent confident with each other and felt like we were in the band together for ten years the first day we played. I've joined the band of my dreams."

22 comments so far (Post your own)

1. At 10:22 on 26 Jul 2001, AbicA129 rates it:not rated

wow man you guys really kick ass >:)! I think your the best band out there i mean you speak the truth and your straight forward and your just awesome! oh and im in love with flukey but no big deal!
peace!
AbicA129 AkA samantha
kisses love ya flukey you guys kick ass!

2. At 13:28 on 27 Jul 2001, frankfranklin rates it:not rated

I saw these guys last night in providence @ lupo's. They friggin rock! I can't wait to see them again..

3. At 15:50 on 01 Aug 2001, bianca rates it:not rated

Hey, I am a student at UC Berkeley and you guys are HUGE in the bay area...we're all loving your music...Funny thing is I'm from Bakersfield too and went to Garces High School with you Mark...although you wouldn't know it because you were a big bad senior while i was still a freshman scrub. Damn boy...you sure did get hot!! anyhow...keep up the good work and way to represent for the valley!

4. At 23:16 on 01 Aug 2001, speidr rates it:not rated

hey are guys realy kick
i heard you guys on mtv2 and loved your song
'giving in'
i plan on buying your cd very soon!!
nice nice (8>

5. At 06:09 on 03 Aug 2001, Ilove_Mark rates it:not rated

Hey you guyz kick serious ass I love you peeps already ,especially Mark 0+.You are the hottest .Only if I could have you .I'm going to see you peeps 2-night 8-3-01 .I know it's gonna kick ass .Me and best friend are going ,we're soooooo excited .Gotta go .Love all of ya Mark especially .Buh -Bye .
Love Ya ,
~*Amber*~

6. At 19:56 on 06 Aug 2001, roy rates it:not rated

Hi!
First I got stunnish second listening bored!
Are You guys infor the money already? don't think or hope so! All is so funny, I compare Your songs with Judas P(demolition), maybe I shouldn't!? what You are bleeding over now is the next CD to bring us, try to do as every band that havn't invented a new genre, try to built one...ad some new instrumente combine a gonner as a dual mix what ever..I try to say You could be The Greatest!!! stop listening to the money(read, the one that brings it) Be Honnest!!!!!!!!!
Make the Speakers Speak Yesssssssssss

7. At 17:26 on 11 Aug 2001, dumdumdizzydizzy rates it:not rated

hey!when i first heard you guys on KROQ, i went phsycho, it thought you guys really kicked ass, my favorite part of "giving in" is when he screams really loud, it gives me shivers!!i hope to see you soon, o and i will cas im going to the levis thing here in irvine it think, well youll know, well i think you guys will be huge and get on trl soon, love ya lots <3mark<3 gtg bye **~_laura_~**

8. At 02:31 on 12 Aug 2001, Zell rates it:not rated

When I first saw your Video, Giving In,....I was like who the hell is this?? Until I kept watching the Video. I liked it alot. You guys are tight as hell. I'm really looking forward to buying your Album. You guys rock!!!:)..I like you guys cuz you're original. Your band name is, your style, it's new ROCK!!! That's what I like about it. I also like your lyrics and stuff. That's why I love ROCK. ROCK talks about feelings and stuff...It touches people and stuff. Unlike those other types of music...I mean I don't wanna diss rap or anything but I just hate how they're always talking about money, sex, chiks, platinum...all this kinds of crap. But ROCK is the best...and hell no is it NOT dead...It's getting even better!!! But you guys keep up the Awesome work and remember you've got fans out there !!...Thanks, Zell.

9. At 11:04 on 15 Aug 2001, otis_doll rates it:not rated

Man...I first heard "Giving In" on the radio, and I thought it was KoRn's new single...so i called in to make sure! But they told me it was Jon's half brother and his band Adema...well guys..all i gotta say is...WOW. You guys are gonna be BIG. I can just see it! You guys have so much musical talent...and that single was recorded so well. I am definitley going out and buying that CD TODAY! Keep up the good work guys..and dont forget to stop by Ottawa if your in Canada! Thanks alot!
Otis >:)

10. At 11:35 on 15 Aug 2001, Lexxus rates it:not rated

It's C:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:DL

Grednev Alexey
Moscow
ICQ 126766399

11. At 13:02 on 15 Aug 2001, FlameRocker666 rates it:not rated

If any of you are reading this article and are thinking about picking up the adema album, don't hesitate! These guys are real! I heard 'giving in' and fell in luv with it. I totally connected with that song on both a musical and personal level. Adema kicks ass! >:)

12. At 13:07 on 15 Aug 2001, FlameRocker666 rates it:not rated

Also, help Mark get out of Jon's shadow and get accepted as an independent artist. |:(

13. At 00:31 on 17 Aug 2001, koolakani rates it:not rated

Ireally like Adema's music a lot. I can relate to a lot of the stuff they sing about. but I'm not gonna sit here and write, oh I think so and so is so hot, becuz aparently, no matter how much you type and how many explanation points you put, it's not like it's gonna matter. Do you really think that just becuz you think you're so in love with Mark or another band member, that they're just going to decide, "hey, I think that this girl is the one, and I have to meet her." Ok, anyways...I do enjoy Adema's music a lot, I just want to know when they're going to play in Sacramento. I wanted to go to one show that was at a venue in downtown, but I couldn't and that pissed me off. but I hope that all is well, with what you're doing and keep up the good work, you guys deserve everything and should be #1 on TRL. LUV YA guys! O+ and feel free to e-mail me. hehe*D

14. At 11:08 on 26 Aug 2001, anniebabe_o_licious rates it:not rated

Hey everyone readin this! I'm Annie*D (17/f/CO) and I just wanted to say the these guys :oROCK:o!!! I fell in love w/ Adema after seein their live performance on the Craig Kilborn show a few nights ago. If anyone readin this is from Colorado, we oughta try and get these guys to come to Denver...SOON! Oh, xoxo~Marky RULZ~oxox!:* Anyone can e-mail me or chat if ya wanna...B'bye now!

15. At 07:50 on 31 Aug 2001, saturnchic rates it:not rated

OH my god you guys ROCK...I love the song giving in and I had to buy the album the first day it came out and I LOVE it. I was also sooo excited to see you guys at the KROQ show. That was an awesome performance. I was less then 5ft away and Marky you are the hottest thing alive right now!!!!! Alright keep on rockin
**Sarah**

16. At 01:45 on 02 Sep 2001, ademafreek2001 rates it:not rated

Mark iz the most amazing singer ever! I should know Im a singer 2 but my band sux except me!!
ADEMA ROX!!!!!!!!!
Mark iz HOT!!! yummy :9!!!!

17. At 00:32 on 18 Oct 2001, Adema_Loves_Me rates it:not rated

Hey what's up ?You are guyz are the best band ever and I Love all of you .My other sign in name is I_Love_Mark but I forgot the password .Yeah anywayz .I met you peeps here in ST.Louis on September 2nd .You peeps are the greatest .I Love you Mark ,Mike ,Chris ,Flucky ,and Dave !Mark you have the prettiest eyes ever !Me and my best friend have to been to all of your concerts in ST.Louis and we plan to go to everyone .Except on October 30th .'Cause we thought it was on Halloween 'cause the radio screwed up .But we'll be at the next one trust me .I Love You all .And Mark Will You Marry Me ?

18. At 11:28 on 04 Feb 2002, speculite rates it:not rated

I must say i heard you guys by chance, but its fate that you've come at an extremely hard time in my life. Noone is accepting who i am, not even my mom. I know you may not take this to heart but i want you guys to know you've made a huge impact in my life by helping me realize that what i feel and who i am is okay. Stay original, i hope so many people like me find you guys. Thanks for your inspiring music-
speculite

19. At 23:34 on 01 Mar 2002, NIZZY rates it:not rated

Your album is awesome! I can totally relate to not being "good enough" in the music industry, from spending amble of amounts of time in my dad's studio, learning the mixers and synthesizers. *D Paula of Corona

20. At 18:38 on 14 Apr 2002, ademachic555 rates it:not rated

i totally love adema. and i think that mark is so hot.

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Adema - Adema

22 comments so far (Post your own)