ViSE ViRSA began in 1998 with Hartman recruiting his brother, Kris Kast, as the band's bass player. Working with several different drummers, ViSE ViRSA began playing live shows all over Los Angeles and Orange County, and released their first album, the self-titled "ViSE ViRSA," in 2000 which was performed and recorded by at that time 19 year old John. The album, combined with their powerful live performances, garnered them a small, but devoted fan-base.

In 2007, Hartman and Kast were introdu...