Scary Kids Scaring Kids

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.^[1] The group decided to disband following an early 2010 tour.^[2]

History

Early years, After Dark and The City Sleeps in Flames (2002–2005)

The band - which originally was composed of Tyson Stevens on bass (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 Dark, while they were still in high school.^[1] After Dark was eventually re-released by Immortal Records in 2005. After nearly disbanding, they decided to pursue the band full-time, hosting 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.

Self-titled album (2006–2007)

Scary Kids Scaring Kids, 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.^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]} "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."^{[citation needed]} 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 KFC for the PETA's 'I Am Not A Nugget' campaign. Although, all members admit to not being vegetarian and frequently indulge in meat of all animals alike. ^[3]

Change in labels, work on a follow-up album and break-up (2008–2010)

Scary Kids left Immortal Records though 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 working on their third studio album at the tour's end. The band has said the album should be out in October 2009, though due to the band's disbandment, it is unknown what will happen to the recorded tracks for the album.

Lead singer Tyson took some urgent personal time off in the last 4 days of the 2009 Warped Tour and the band had Brandon Bolmer of Yesterdays Rising, Craig Mabbitt of Escape the Fate, Cove Reber of Saosin, and Jonny Craig of Emarosa filling in on vocals for the rest of the tour.^[4]

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. ^[5]The band will be doing their last tour in January of 2010.^[6]

From Pouyan's blog:

WE ARE BREAKING UP.
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.

Though we can't say for sure what all of our futures will hold, I can say for sure that a few of us will continue following our passion for creating music. In our first years of touring many of you have welcomed us into your homes and we've even shared meals together. Even though we are very bummed that this band is ending, we couldn't be happier about the friends we’ve made and the experiences we've shared. Experiences that without a doubt would never exist without Scary Kids.

James Ethridge, The band's drummer in the last few years will not participate in the band's farewell tour in January 2010, he will be replaced by Derek Smith. It is still unknown what will happen to the album that the band was working on in 2009 and which was recorded for a late 2009 release.

Band members

Final line-up

• Tyson Stevens - lead vocals (2002–2010), bass (2002)
• Chad Crawford - rhythm & lead guitars, vocals (2002–2010)
• Pouyan Afkary - keyboards, synth, piano, programming, backing vocals (2002–2010)
• Steve Kirby - lead & rhythm guitars (2002–2010)
• DJ Wilson - bass (2002–2010)
• Derek Smith - drums, percussion (2010)

Former members

• James Ethridge - drums, percussion (2007–2009)
• Justin Salter - drums, percussion, backing vocals (2005–2007)
• Peter Costa - drums, percussion (2003–2005)

Discography

Albums & EPs

• 2003 - After Dark (EP)
• 2005 - The City Sleeps in Flames
• 2007 - Scary Kids Scaring Kids

Compilations

• Music on the Brain Vol. 2
• Punk The Clock Vol. 2
• Masters of Horror Soundtrack
• Punk Goes '90s
• U.S. Cellular Emerging Artists Vol. 1
• Punk Goes Crunk

Singles

References

External links

• Scary Kids Scaring Kids official website
• Interview with Pouyan
• Scary Kids Scaring Kids Interview February 7th, 2007 on DrivenFarOff.com