Scary Kids Scaring Kids
Encyclopedia
Scary Kids Scaring Kids was an American
post-hardcore
band formed in Gilbert, Arizona
in 2002. The band's name comes from the Cap'n Jazz
song of the same name. The group disbanded following a farewell tour in 2010.
, while they were still in high school. After Dark was eventually re-released by Immortal Records in 2005. After nearly disbanding, they decided to pursue the band full-time, hosting nude carwashes and taking out loans to finance their tours.
The band was then signed to Immortal Records
, where they released their first full-length album. Entitled The City Sleeps in Flames
, the album was recorded during February and March 2005 with producer Brian McTernan
, and released on June 28, 2005. The album gained moderate success and spawned the successful singles "The Only Medicine" and "My Darkest Hour" which were made into music videos.
, released on August 28, 2007 and produced by Don Gilmore (who previously worked on Dashboard Confessional
, Linkin Park
, and Good Charlotte
records) in North Hollywood, California, was the result of much consideration and effort by the band, even though they had spent most of the year living on the road. The band specifically wanted the record to be a composed album, rather than a collection of songs thrown together. This is evidenced by transitions between songs, a prelude and an interlude, as well as references throughout the album to previous tracks on the record.
Lyrically, the record was a quest for the truth in its most organic form. "It's all about reaching deep within and pulling out who you truly are", Pouyan explains. The record encompasses several disparate yet linked themes, from retaining and appreciating individuality to standing up for what one believes in, and not backing down. "I think we really had time to make this album sound exactly the way we wanted to and focus on every track individually", explains Pouyan. "In the past, we've been so limited with time, but with this disc we could really focus on the small details that made a big difference to us." Pouyan spoke of the album saying, "We were so proud of this album that we had no other name for it. This is what Scary Kids is all about to this day."
In January 2008, the band was awarded a Libby Award by PETA
for Best Newcomers. Scary Kids Scaring Kids received the award for their work in speaking up against Chicken Express for the PETA's 'I Am Not A Nugget' campaign.
before it collapsed and signed their major label deal with RCA records
. During their fall tour with Anberlin
, Straylight Run
, and There For Tomorrow
, the band announced they will be working on their third studio album at the tour's end. The album that was in the process of being recorded will not be released, per Tyson, who revealed the information at a live show on Feb. 11, 2010 in Buffalo, NY.
Lead singer Tyson took some urgent personal time off in the last 4 days of the 2009 Warped Tour and the band had replacement singer Craig Mabbitt
of Escape the Fate
, and Brandon Bolmer of Chiodos
, ex-Yesterdays Rising
, filling in on vocals for the rest of the tour, with some help from Cove Reber of Saosin
.
On November 30, 2009 Pouyan posted an official statement addressing the end of Scary Kids. Due to mutual agreement the band has chosen to go their separate ways.
From Pouyan's blog:
James Ethridge, the band's drummer in the last few years, didn't take part in the band's farewell tour in 2010. He was replaced by Derek Smith, who opened with his new hip hop
act Mod Sun, as well as playing drums for Scary Kids. The album that the band was recording in 2009 will not be released to the public due to their breaking-up before putting vocals to the recorded music.
Chad Crawford has begun a new band with members of Drop Dead, Gorgeous
, Taken by History, and Dreamer called Curses.
Former members
Fill-in members
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
post-hardcore
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
band formed in Gilbert, Arizona
Gilbert, Arizona
-Demographics:As of July 1, 2009, Maricopa Association of Governments, Census 2000. United States Census Bureau. there were 217,521 people, 74,147 housing units, and 3.01 persons per household....
in 2002. The band's name comes from the Cap'n Jazz
Cap'n Jazz
Cap'n Jazz was an emo band formed in Chicago in 1989 by brothers Tim and Mike Kinsella, who were joined by Sam Zurick and Victor Villareal. After a number of name changes and the addition of guitarist Davey von Bohlen the band began to earn a cult following in the Chicago area and the...
song of the same name. The group disbanded following a farewell tour in 2010.
Early years, After Dark and The City Sleeps in Flames (2002–2005)
The band - which originally was composed of Tyson Stevens on bass and vocal (later to be strictly the vocalist), guitarists Chad Crawford, DJ Wilson (later to switch to bass) and Steve Kirby, Pouyan Afkary on keyboards, and drummer Peter Costa - recorded their self-financed debut EP, After DarkAfter Dark EP
After Dark is the first EP from Arizona post-hardcore band Scary Kids Scaring Kids. It was released independently in 2003, and re-released in 2005 through Immortal Records....
, while they were still in high school. After Dark was eventually re-released by Immortal Records in 2005. After nearly disbanding, they decided to pursue the band full-time, hosting nude carwashes and taking out loans to finance their tours.
The band was then signed to Immortal Records
Immortal Records
Immortal Records is an independent record label out of Los Angeles, California. Founded by Happy Walters in 1994, the label had helped launched the careers of such influential acts as Korn, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Incubus over the years. The label had also released soundtracks, including Judgment...
, where they released their first full-length album. Entitled The City Sleeps in Flames
The City Sleeps In Flames
The City Sleeps in Flames is the debut album by post-hardcore band Scary Kids Scaring Kids, was released through Immortal Records on June 28, 2005. The album produced three music videos, for the songs "The Only Medicine", "My Darkest Hour" and "The City Sleeps in Flames"...
, the album was recorded during February and March 2005 with producer Brian McTernan
Brian McTernan
Brian McTernan is a record producer who has worked with bands from all over the world. He works out of the Baltimore, MD area at Salad Days Studio. Brian was voted to be one of the 50 most influential people in Maryland by the Maryland Daily Record...
, and released on June 28, 2005. The album gained moderate success and spawned the successful singles "The Only Medicine" and "My Darkest Hour" which were made into music videos.
Self-titled album (2006–2007)
Scary Kids Scaring KidsScary Kids Scaring Kids (album)
Scary Kids Scaring Kids is the second and last studio album by the post-hardcore band Scary Kids Scaring Kids. It was released on August 28, 2007 on Immortal Records and produced by Don Gilmore....
, released on August 28, 2007 and produced by Don Gilmore (who previously worked on Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional is an American rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. The name of the band is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" from the debut album The Swiss Army Romance....
, Linkin Park
Linkin Park
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries...
, and Good Charlotte
Good Charlotte
Good Charlotte is an American rock band from Waldorf, Maryland that formed in 1996. Since 1998, the band's constant members have been lead vocalist Joel Madden, lead guitarist and back-up vocalist Benji Madden, bass guitarist Paul Thomas and rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Billy Martin...
records) in North Hollywood, California, was the result of much consideration and effort by the band, even though they had spent most of the year living on the road. The band specifically wanted the record to be a composed album, rather than a collection of songs thrown together. This is evidenced by transitions between songs, a prelude and an interlude, as well as references throughout the album to previous tracks on the record.
Lyrically, the record was a quest for the truth in its most organic form. "It's all about reaching deep within and pulling out who you truly are", Pouyan explains. The record encompasses several disparate yet linked themes, from retaining and appreciating individuality to standing up for what one believes in, and not backing down. "I think we really had time to make this album sound exactly the way we wanted to and focus on every track individually", explains Pouyan. "In the past, we've been so limited with time, but with this disc we could really focus on the small details that made a big difference to us." Pouyan spoke of the album saying, "We were so proud of this album that we had no other name for it. This is what Scary Kids is all about to this day."
In January 2008, the band was awarded a Libby Award by PETA
Peta
Peta can refer to:* peta-, an SI prefix denoting a factor of 1015* Peta, Greece, a town in Greece* Peta, the Pāli word for a Preta, or hungry ghost in Buddhism* Peta Wilson, an Australian actress and model* Peta Todd, English glamour model...
for Best Newcomers. Scary Kids Scaring Kids received the award for their work in speaking up against Chicken Express for the PETA's 'I Am Not A Nugget' campaign.
Change in labels, work on a follow-up album and break-up (2008–2010)
Scary Kids left Immortal RecordsImmortal Records
Immortal Records is an independent record label out of Los Angeles, California. Founded by Happy Walters in 1994, the label had helped launched the careers of such influential acts as Korn, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Incubus over the years. The label had also released soundtracks, including Judgment...
before it collapsed and signed their major label deal with RCA records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
. During their fall tour with Anberlin
Anberlin
Anberlin is an American rock band formed in Winter Haven, Florida in 2002. Since the beginning of 2007, the band has consisted of lead vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney, bassist Deon Rexroat, and drummer Nathan Young.Members of Anberlin originally formed...
, Straylight Run
Straylight Run
Straylight Run was an indie rock band based in Baldwin, New York. Two of the members, Nolan and Cooper, had been members of Taking Back Sunday and have now rejoined that band. Their final releases are the EPs About Time and Un Mas Dos, preceded by the full-length album entitled The Needles The...
, and There For Tomorrow
There For Tomorrow
There for Tomorrow is a band formed in Orlando, Florida in 2003. The group is influenced by bands such as Jimmy Eat World, Blink-182, Third Eye Blind, and The Hives.-Early years :...
, the band announced they will be working on their third studio album at the tour's end. The album that was in the process of being recorded will not be released, per Tyson, who revealed the information at a live show on Feb. 11, 2010 in Buffalo, NY.
Lead singer Tyson took some urgent personal time off in the last 4 days of the 2009 Warped Tour and the band had replacement singer Craig Mabbitt
Craig Mabbitt
Craig Edward Mabbitt is an American musician. Currently the lead vocalist for the band Escape the Fate and formerly of the bands Blessthefall and The Word Alive.-Blessthefall:...
of Escape the Fate
Escape the Fate
Escape the Fate is an American post-hardcore band from Las Vegas, Nevada formed in 2005 and originally from Pahrump, Nevada. They have released three EPs and three full-length studio albums. Dying Is Your Latest Fashion was the band's debut album and only album to feature vocalist Ronnie Radke...
, and Brandon Bolmer of Chiodos
Chiodos
Chiodos is an American post hardcore band from Davison, Michigan. Formed in 2001, the group was originally known as "The Chiodos Bros," the band's name was a tribute to filmmakers Stephen, Charles, and Edward Chiodo, responsible for the film Killer Klowns from Outer Space. Chiodos released their...
, ex-Yesterdays Rising
Yesterdays Rising
Yesterdays Rising was an American post-hardcore band from Murrieta, California, in Riverside County, United States.-History:Yesterdays Rising formed in 2002 and self-released their first EP in 2003. The group signed to Fearless Records in 2004 and released a second EP following it up with a run...
, filling in on vocals for the rest of the tour, with some help from Cove Reber of Saosin
Saosin
Saosin is an American rock band originally hailing from Newport Beach, California. The band was formed in 2003 and recorded its first EP, Translating the Name, that same year with original singer Anthony Green. Green left Saosin following the band's decision to sign with a commercial label,...
.
On November 30, 2009 Pouyan posted an official statement addressing the end of Scary Kids. Due to mutual agreement the band has chosen to go their separate ways.
From Pouyan's blog:
WE ARE BREAKING UP WITH YOU.
POSTED BY Pouyan ON November 30, 2009
First of all we would like to thank everybody who has supported Scary Kids Scaring Kids since the moment we decided to pick up our instruments and leave our homes to travel the world. We have created a strong kinship with our fans, which are much more than people of the same interests; you've become our family away from home.
To get it out of the way quickly, yes we are breaking up and yes we will be embarking on our final tour in the month January. We are doing this to say goodbye in person to all the friends that have ever supported us and we’ll be making it even more special by touring with some of the bands that have become brothers to us on the road. The reason we are ending the band is very simple. We created this band together as juniors in high school and though we’ve been able to grow together for many years, inevitably we have also grown apart. We’ve had some very serious difficulties over the years as a lot of you can probably relate to as well. Life throws us all something different and we’ve decided that the best thing for us personally is to end the band on a positive note and start new chapters in our individual lives. We don’t want this thing that we've created to become the source of ultimate negativity and we’d rather remember the great times we've had together and move forward knowing we tried our best and had more good times than bad.
James Ethridge, the band's drummer in the last few years, didn't take part in the band's farewell tour in 2010. He was replaced by Derek Smith, who opened with his new hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
act Mod Sun, as well as playing drums for Scary Kids. The album that the band was recording in 2009 will not be released to the public due to their breaking-up before putting vocals to the recorded music.
Chad Crawford has begun a new band with members of Drop Dead, Gorgeous
Drop Dead, Gorgeous
Drop Dead, Gorgeous is a band from Denver, Colorado. They are currently signed to Suretone Records. The band consists of frontman Danny Stillman , Kyle Browning , Jake Hansen and Danny Cooper...
, Taken by History, and Dreamer called Curses.
Band members
Final line-up- Tyson Stevens - lead vocals (2002–2010), bass (2002–2004)
- Chad Crawford - rhythm guitar, vocals (2002–2010)
- Pouyan Afkary - keyboards, synth, piano, programming, backing vocals (2002–2010)
- Steve Kirby - lead guitar (2004–2010)
- DJ Wilson - bass (2004–2010), lead guitar (2002–2004)
- Derek Smith - drums, percussion (2010)
Former members
- James Ethridge - drums, percussion (2007–2009)
- Justin Salter - drums, percussion (2005–2007)
- Peter Costa - drums, percussion (2003–2005)
- Tanner WayneTanner WayneAndrew Tanner Wayne , known professionally as Tanner Wayne, is an American drummer, best known for having been the drummer of Underminded and Scary Kids Scaring Kids, and being the current drummer of the Chiodos...
- drums, percussion (2009)
Fill-in members
- Brandon BolmerBrandon BolmerBrandon Allen Bolmer is an American vocalist, electronic music producer, and graphic designer, best known for being the current lead singer of Chiodos and one of the founding members of progressive rock band Yesterdays Rising.- Yesterday's Rising :Bolmer was the original and only vocalist of...
- lead vocals (2009) - Craig MabbittCraig MabbittCraig Edward Mabbitt is an American musician. Currently the lead vocalist for the band Escape the Fate and formerly of the bands Blessthefall and The Word Alive.-Blessthefall:...
- lead vocals (2009) - Cove ReberCove ReberCove Reber is an American musician and singer-songwriter, best known as the former lead vocalist for Saosin from early 2004 to July 21, 2010...
- lead vocals (2009)
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US Alt |
US Rock |
US Heat Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
US Indie Independent Albums The Billboard Independent Albums is a chart of the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays in the United States, compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels... |
|||||
| The City Sleeps in Flames The City Sleeps In Flames The City Sleeps in Flames is the debut album by post-hardcore band Scary Kids Scaring Kids, was released through Immortal Records on June 28, 2005. The album produced three music videos, for the songs "The Only Medicine", "My Darkest Hour" and "The City Sleeps in Flames"... |
|
— | — | — | 50 | — | |||
| Scary Kids Scaring Kids Scary Kids Scaring Kids (album) Scary Kids Scaring Kids is the second and last studio album by the post-hardcore band Scary Kids Scaring Kids. It was released on August 28, 2007 on Immortal Records and produced by Don Gilmore.... |
|
80 | 23 | 23 | — | 6 | |||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||||||||
Extended plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| After Dark EP After Dark EP After Dark is the first EP from Arizona post-hardcore band Scary Kids Scaring Kids. It was released independently in 2003, and re-released in 2005 through Immortal Records.... |
|
Compilations
- Music on the Brain Vol. 2
- Punk The Clock Vol. 2
- Masters of Horror SoundtrackMasters of Horror (Soundtrack)Masters of Horror is the soundtrack accompanying the television series Masters of Horror. Volume 1 sold over 50,000 copies.-Volume 2 Track listing:...
- Punk Goes '90s
- U.S. Cellular Emerging Artists Vol. 1
- Punk Goes CrunkPunk Goes CrunkPunk Goes Crunk is the seventh compilation album in the Punk Goes... series released by Fearless Records. The album is composed of popular hip hop songs performed by various emo, pop punk and metalcore bands.-Track listing:...
Singles
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 2005 in music -Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:... |
"The Only Medicine" | The City Sleeps In Flames The City Sleeps In Flames The City Sleeps in Flames is the debut album by post-hardcore band Scary Kids Scaring Kids, was released through Immortal Records on June 28, 2005. The album produced three music videos, for the songs "The Only Medicine", "My Darkest Hour" and "The City Sleeps in Flames"... |
| 2006 2006 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band.... |
"The City Sleeps In Flames" | |
| "My Darkest Hour" | ||
| 2007 2007 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame... |
"Faces" | Scary Kids Scaring Kids Scary Kids Scaring Kids (album) Scary Kids Scaring Kids is the second and last studio album by the post-hardcore band Scary Kids Scaring Kids. It was released on August 28, 2007 on Immortal Records and produced by Don Gilmore.... |
| "Snake Devil" | ||
| "The Deep End" |