Chris McKay (vocals, guitar, songs, keyboards), Frank DeFreese (bass), Joe Orr (vocals, guitar) and Joshua Harrison (drums)
Influences
The 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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
