Vocalist Bobby Reeves and guitarist Ed Faris, both from the band Level, were recruited to join as well, but only released one album, Kill the Headlights in 2007, before entering a hiatus.
The band's original lineup reformed in late 2009 and toured, but both Ransom and Chavez left again before any new music would be recorded.
The association of Chavez and Kohls to Korn sparked a major label bidding war; ultimately, the band signed to Arista Records in a three-album deal in October 2000.
[2][3] Chavez said that the band's decision to sign with Arista was partially influenced by their belief that the label's president, L.A. Reid, was "more of a music man than a corporate fuck.
All of the lyrics were written by Chavez,[6] and the album was produced by Bill Appleberry (7th House) and Tobi Miller (The Wallflowers guitarist).
[7] Adema's eponymous debut album was certified gold, and the band received a spot on the main stage during the Ozzfest tour.
[8][11] The band has vigorously fought the label "nu metal," preferring to be classified as traditional rock.
However, Chavez acknowledged personal problems and claimed that "it takes two to tango," and that his decision precipitated from an argument with drummer Kohls over the direction of the band.
After Kohls heard a demo from Rewind Yesterday, another Bakersfield band, he was impressed by the group's lead singer, Luke Caraccioli.
[18] Adema signed to metal label Earache Records in Spring 2004 when its manager, Al Dawson, heard them at a show.
Adema then promoted the release by touring with Brides of Destruction, a band that Kohls had briefly been involved in.
Though proud of their identity change, the band noted that they had a mixture of fans from both the "old" and "new" Adema at live shows.
[27] In early 2008 Dave DeRoo announced the band decided to go on a "hiatus" to regroup, take a break, and assured fans they had not broken up.
[citation needed] On August 13, 2009, Mark Chavez posted a blog on his official Myspace page stating that he had returned to Adema.
[29] A second blog from the band's Myspace stated that both Bobby Reeves and Ed Faris had agreed to leave the band and that this was the right thing to do for Adema and their fans, the blog went on to say, "This SURE won't be the last you see of Bobby or Ed, and we wanted to take the time to thank them for their service in the line of duty..."[30] Adema announced on their official Twitter page that the first rehearsal with the original lineup in 6 years took place November 15, 2009.
[31] The original members of Adema played their first show together in over five years on January 14, 2010, at Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood.
A full 2010 tour list across the United States had also been posted on the band's Myspace and Facebook page and new material was announced to be released around February 2011.
However, Mike Ransom was unable to join them due to his commitments with recording an album with his band, Black Heart Vacancy.
Mark Chavez abruptly left Adema once again before the start of the 2011 tour to pursue his solo project.
"[34] In January 2011, bassist David DeRoo was arrested just prior to performing a concert in Connecticut, and was charged with being a fugitive of the law.
[39] On March 27, 2017, Mark Chavez was seen rehearsing with original members of Adema, signifying his return to band.
Julien-K frontman Ryan Shuck confirmed he would be fronting the band for their fall tour with Powerman 5000.
Adema debut their first EP with Shuck titled "The Cerberus" while embarking on 2023's Nu-Metal Madness Tour 2 with returning bands Hed PE, Crazytown, and newcomer Tantric.
The band announced in their own statement that they would be continuing as a four piece lineup indefinitely, though future plans and tours were not affected with the line-up change.