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Chris McKay & The Critical Darlings
Powerpop / Rock / Pop

"C'mon, Accept Your Satisfactionista!"

ATHENS, Georgia
United States

Profile Views:  61144




Last Login:  7/4/2008
View My: Pics | Videos

   Contacting Chris McKay & The Critical Darlings

 MySpace URL: 
  http://www.myspace.com/criticaldarlings  

   Chris McKay & The Critical Darlings: General Info
Member Since10/13/2005
Band Websitecriticaldarlings.com
Band MembersChris McKay (vocals, guitar, songs, keyboards), Frank DeFreese (bass), Joe Orr (vocals, guitar) and Joshua Harrison (drums)
InfluencesThe Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, Cheap Trick, Prince, Pink Floyd, Isley Brothers, David Bowie, The Cure, Duran Duran, Ty Tabor, Dug Pinnick, Jerry Gaskill, Jellyfish, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, The Sex Pistols, Johnny Cash, Mike Garson, The Moody Blues, Queen, James Brown, Drive-By Truckers, Electric Light Orchestra, Kiss, Big Star, Lindsey Buckingham, Todd Rundgren, Frank Zappa, The Rolling Stones, King Crimson, kd lang, Neil Young, Pop Music Radio from 1955 - 2005 and all of our friends that we've learned from.
Sounds LikeSatisfaction and Joy. Critical Darlings Do Bowie's "Look Back In Anger"
Record LabelSideBMusic
Type of LabelIndie





   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Jul 5 2008 3:45P
Charlotte Pop Fest (The Alley Cat) Charlotte, North Carolina
Jul 11 2008 9:00P
Longbranch (Rock Hill, SC) Rock Hill, South Carolina
Jul 12 2008 9:45P
Alibi Bar Athens, Georgia
Jul 17 2008 8:00P
Vinocity Wine Bar (Chris & Joe Acoustic!) Atlanta, Georgia
Jul 19 2008 3:00P
Video Shoot in Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia
Jul 24 2008 10:00P
Tasty World Athens, Georgia
Jul 26 2008 9:00P
The Cellar Greenville, South Carolina
Aug 2 2008 9:00P
Allen’s Athens, Georgia
Aug 22 2008 10:30P
Rye Bar Athens, Georgia
Aug 29 2008 8:00P
Upper South Carolina State Fair Greenville, South Carolina
Oct 17 2008 10:00P
Soho Bar & Grill Columbus, Georgia

Chris McKay & The Critical Darlings's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

A Song In Honor Of Roger Davis...  (view more)

Satisfactionista COMPLETELY FREE for the next 2 days! Help us out, wouldya?  (view more)

Friday The 13th Of June, 2008: Satisfactionista Is Officially Released!  (view more)

Gettin’ some Satisfaction(ista) and Fashion Tips!  (view more)

Help The Critical Darlings Pic A T-Shirt Design (Or Two)!  (view more)

[View All Blog Entries]

   About Chris McKay & The Critical Darlings
..

Chris McKay & The Critical Darlings

Hailing from South Carolina and choosing Athens as his home, nationally known photographer Chris McKay earned a couple of handfuls of ASCAP Music Awards for his solo work but had wanted to be back in a group since his days with Q-Sign, which was named “one of the best unsigned bands in America” by Musician Magazine.

In 2004, McKay and his bass-playing high school friend Frank DeFreese formed The Critical Darlings. When word started to spread, the offers for shows came. “For the first year, we never booked gigs. We only accepted invitations,” McKay said. “I thought that was a great sign.”

Eventually, the Darlings went into the studio to record C’mon, Accept Your Joy! Before the CD was finished, leaked tracks had garnered airplay in 3 states. Since the official release of Joy, the songs have been picked up by over 150 stations around the world (from Poland to New Zealand to London and back to the States).

In 2007, the Critical Darlings expanded to a quartet (with the addition of guitarist / vocalist Joe Orr and drummer Josh Harrison) and have started work on their second album, tentatively titled Satisfactionista with GRAMMY nominated producer David Barbe (R.E.M., Drive-By Truckers, Betty LaVette) behind the board. Of special interest is the collaboration with David Bowie’s inimitable pianist Mike Garson (Aladdin Sane, Diamond Dogs, Young Americans) who appears on the track “Something Unseen” (which also finds Drive-By Truckers’ Brad Morgan on drums). If that’s not enough, The Darlings are one of the first to employ Pete Townshend’s Lifehouse Method in “co-composing” several tracks with The WHO’s songwriter / guitarist via software that produces a unique song based .. input.

It's no wonder that Lee Valentine Smith of Creative Loafing has named the Critical Darlings “a great little buzz-worthy band” and dubbed McKay “power pop potentate.”

For more info, mp3s, photos and the archive, visit...

www.criticaldarlings.com


   Chris McKay & The Critical Darlings's Friend Space (Top 20)
Chris McKay & The Critical Darlings has 1863 friends.
 Chris McKay 


 frankskiluv 


 Joe Darling 


 Joshua 


 Critical Darlings LIVE RECORDINGS 


 Chris McKay Puts The "I" In Team 


 Joe Orr 


 Mike Garson 


 SideBMusic 


 Jerry Boyd SideBMusic 


 Manda 


 scott 


 Lord Bitter 


 Emily 


 SarahC 


 Gina 


 Blue Flashing Light 


 CARTOON FACTORY 


 J Cool 


 Drive-By Truckers 





Chris McKay & The Critical Darlings's Friends Comments
Displaying 50 of 287 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Danielle





Jul 6 2008 5:37 PM

This comment was sent by your friend via the Mobsters app.

To block this app and all communications from it, click Here.




-------------------------------------------


Danielle wants you to join their mob in Mobsters, a Mafia-style combat game played on MySpace.

Start out as a petty thief and work your way up to become a Mob Don!

Join Danielle's Mob!

Laurie





Jul 6 2008 10:40 AM

Hi Chris - hope you're feeling much better now.
♥SUE♥





Jul 3 2008 12:46 AM


SEXY & HOT COMMENTS


CLICK HERE!


Hope you all have a good one
xx
the Winter Sounds (New Song Up)


Is Online


Jun 28 2008 12:36 PM

Go Bar on Monday night yeyy =)
Emily





Jun 21 2008 4:50 AM

Well guess what..I DIDN'T know that about Spilt Milk. I'll blame it on my sleepy stupor, and not me being oblivious.
Emily





Jun 19 2008 4:37 PM

I see you like the rock! Actually it has something to do with Stonehenge now don't ask me what as I have NO IDEA! I barely remember that day other than we got up really early.
Gina





Jun 17 2008 11:34 PM

Of course they exist! Whatever would make you think otherwise?
Gina





Jun 11 2008 11:23 AM

I must say I love how the great shirt debate appeasrs to be going. Reading people's comments is quite entertaining! So many satisfashionistas. Haha, couldn't resist.
Mike





Jun 10 2008 12:36 PM


Make the Fur Fly / Chris McKay & the Critical Darlings
Click to see the entire gallery!
Lindy Dobbins & the Red Velvet Manx





Jun 9 2008 2:08 PM

Just saw you on the Charlotte Pop Fest Bill.
Glad they finally had an opening; See you in July!
Laurie





Jun 9 2008 10:20 AM

I like the new songs a lot, especially "Sadder Day." Have a blast at Charlotte Pop Fest.
Hope we see you there!
Molly Dean





Jun 8 2008 12:50 PM

Satisfactionista!!!

Need I say more?!

Well, one more thing - I hope you guys can make it to Nashville one of these days!

Ok, that is all.

MD
Gina





Jun 4 2008 9:50 PM

What is this with scheduling a ton of shows while I'm gone? That's no incredibly not cool!
Better be some good pics and blogs! :-)
*SUNSHINE*





May 31 2008 11:41 AM

when r u coming back to boston..give us a call
MISFORTUNE500





May 30 2008 11:31 PM

MISFORTUNE500





May 30 2008 11:31 PM

SarahC





May 28 2008 4:39 PM

from the things emily tells me satisfactionista may be my #1 too! :)
Adrian





May 28 2008 1:32 PM

Beautiful lyrics on 'Sadder day' by the way! Real sweet.
Adrian





May 28 2008 1:24 PM

Been away from the web last few days, just came back and heard 'Rage On' for the first time in over a week. It still sounds awesome and fresh! I'd go as far to call it one of my all time favourite songs.
Gina





May 28 2008 12:46 PM

Can't wait till saturday! Yay!
scott





May 28 2008 10:32 AM

Thanks for the friend add!Dream Power
SarahC





May 28 2008 9:13 AM

It's impossible to forget you guys!

I checked out that Jordan Zevon record, it's alright, some of the lyrics are a little annoying to me, but over all it's a solid record.
:)
SarahC





May 27 2008 10:18 AM

chattanooga needs you!!!
come back, we miss you!
Make the Fur Fly (is broken up)





May 15 2008 11:01 AM

We can't wait until tomorrow!!!
Gina





May 13 2008 11:15 AM

Georgia Theatre

I'm liking that sign! :-)
The REAL Gypsy





May 10 2008 1:55 PM

Thanks for coming out to the new bar.
We had a great time!!
Karla





May 1 2008 2:39 PM

I'm so sorry I won't make it tonight. I'm still in pain from having my wisdom teeth removed and Percocets don't mix well with late nights and bars. Haha, or maybe they do--either way it will end badly for me.
I hope to see you guys soon anyways!
Gina





Apr 21 2008 8:43 PM

Hey everyone! Join the bands new group! You can go to my or Emily's or anyone of the bands websites and click on the link under their groups. Im inviting all my friends (taking a while) but if you dodn't get one that's how you can add your self. Do it now!

myspace generators

:-)
Peace,
Gina
SarahC





Apr 21 2008 4:16 PM

*buh dum chink*
SarahC





Apr 21 2008 3:56 PM

thanks.
that aqaurium drunkard blog is cool. i know the guy who runs it.
:)
so i am very excited for your record to come out.
when is release date?
SarahC





Apr 21 2008 3:20 PM

Is that guy Warren Zevon's kid.
What indie record was it that you were saying got you super exicited that one time? It may have been when we were talking in the club back in march... I can't remember now.

I am working on a paper about Stravinsky now. Fun stuff for sure. His ballet caused a riot.
That's ROCK!
SarahC





Apr 19 2008 1:13 PM

Ok, Rage On= EPIIIIIIIIC!!!!!!

I can NOT wait for the record. Can I mail you my $15 for it right now? hah.
seriously, i am blown away. this is 30million times better than the demo. wow.
you and joe have the tightest harmonies ever.
congrats guys. judging from this track only, you have the best rock record of the year.
SarahC





Apr 19 2008 1:09 PM