Formed by core members Uddy Darling on guitar and vocals, Chris Kranes on bass and backing vocals, and Josh Fasen on drums, and later recruiting Zacc West for additional guitar and backing vocals, the Darlings developed a gritty, guitar-driven sound influenced heavily by Social Distortion and Tiger Army. The Darlings released a self-titled seven-song EP in 2008; the following year they were the winners in the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands, and shortly thereafter had their song “What Lies Below” picked up by the Anaheim Ducks, who used the track for their 2009-2010 season promo spots. With this new exposure, the band began touring massively, including spots on the Vans Warped Tour as well as stints with Pennywise and Guttermouth. In 2011 the band unleashed its first full-length album, The New Escape. ~ Fred Thomas