{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Dark Stares | image = Dark_Stares_live_at_The_Forum_in_Hatfield.jpg | image_size = 240 | alt = | origin = St Albans, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom | genre = Alternative rock,<ref name=" Dark Stares - ‘Octopon’ EP (Self Released)">{{cite web|url= http://www.uberrock.co.uk/cd-reviews/27-july-cd/8655-dark-stares-octopon-ep-self-released.html|title=Dark Stares – 'Octopon' EP (Self Released) |date=10 July 2013|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=Uber Rock}}</ref><ref name="Live Music Scene - Dark Stares - Octopon">{{cite web|url=http://www.live-music-scene.co.uk/cd-reviews-content.asp?id=1027|title=Live Music Scene – Dark Stares – Octopon|date=13 July 2013|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=Live Music Scene|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221164723/http://www.live-music-scene.co.uk/cd-reviews-content.asp?id=1027|archive-date=21 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> indie rock<ref name="Dark Stares Tell Your Friends">{{cite web|url= http://www.roomthirteen.com/cd_reviews/12905/Dark_Stares__Tell_Your_Friends.html|title= Dark Stares Tell Your Friends |date=9 August 2012|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=Room Thirteen}}</ref> | years_active = 2009–present | label = AWAL UK | website = {{URL|darkstares.com}} | current_members = Miles Kristian Howell<br />Taylor Howell<br />Harry Collins<br />Brett Harland Howell }}
'''Dark Stares''' are a British alternative rock band from St Albans, Hertfordshire. Formed in 2009, the band is composed of brothers Miles Kristian Howell (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Taylor Howell (drums, guitars, backing vocals), Brett Harland Howell (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Harry Collins (lead guitar, backing vocals).
The band have produced three studio EPs: ''Tell Your Friends'' (2012), ''Octopon'' (2013) and ''Soul Contract'' (2014),<ref name="iTunes Catalogue - Dark Stares">{{cite web|url= https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/dark-stares/525875118|title= iTunes Catalogue – Dark Stares |date=16 January 2014|access-date=18 February 2014|publisher=iTunes}}</ref> all recorded at Outhouse Studios in Reading, Berkshire and released with AWAL,<ref name="Tell Your Friends – EP – Dark Stares">{{cite web|url=http://awal.com/catalogue/product/25900/dark-stares/tell-your-friends.html |title=Tell Your Friends – EP – Dark Stares |date=12 May 2012 |accessdate=18 February 2014 |publisher=AWAL |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302094854/http://awal.com/catalogue/product/25900/dark-stares/tell-your-friends.html/ |archivedate=2 March 2014 }}</ref><ref name="Octopon – EP – Dark Stares">{{cite web|url=http://awal.com/catalogue/product/33712/dark-stares/octopon.html |title=Octopon – EP – Dark Stares |date=1 July 2013 |accessdate=18 February 2014 |publisher=AWAL |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302102758/http://awal.com/catalogue/product/33712/dark-stares/octopon.html/ |archivedate=2 March 2014 }}</ref> one live EP titled ''Zebra Session'' (2015) and a debut studio album in 2018: ''Darker Days Are Here to Stay''.
== History == ===Beginnings=== The band began rehearsing in their shed in late 2009, under the name Kalazar. With the two youngest members of the band only 16,<ref name="The Story Behind the Song: Invaders">{{cite web|url= http://bluesrockreview.com/2012/10/the-story-behind-the-song-invaders.html |title= The Story Behind the Song: Invaders |date=10 October 2012|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=Blues Rock Review}}</ref> they played their first gig in December 2009,<ref name="Dark Stares Interview">{{cite web|url= http://bluesrockreview.com/2011/12/dark-stares-interview.html |title= Dark Stares Interview |date=29 December 2011|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=Blues Rock Review}}</ref> supporting XFM Manchester Unsigned 2007 winners, The Scratch.<ref name="Quick Questions With: Dark Stares">{{cite web|url= http://thelutonscene.wordpress.com/2011/12/13/quick-questions-with-dark-stares/ |title= Quick Questions With: Dark Stares |date=13 December 2011|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=The Luton Scene}}</ref><ref name="Versus Cancer ‘07">{{cite web|url=http://www.versuscancer.org/past-events.php|title=Versus Cancer '07|date=30 March 2007|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=Versus Cancer|archive-date=9 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209135214/http://www.versuscancer.org/past-events.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> Eventually the band settled on the name Dark Stares, inspired by the theme tune of Welsh children's television series ''Funnybones''.<ref name="AbsolutePunk Interview – Dark Stares">{{cite web|url= http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2832952 |title= AbsolutePunk Interview – Dark Stares |date=10 July 2012|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=Absolute Punk}}</ref> The brothers have "proud Welsh roots" on their father's side,<ref name="Quick Questions With: Dark Stares"/> as well as a Welsh surname.
Dark Stares is also a reference to the George R.R. Martin series of epic fantasy novels, ''A Song of Ice and Fire''.<ref name="AbsolutePunk Interview – Dark Stares" /> They continued to perform extensively at small venues mainly in local counties and London, but also nationally, including shows with The Subways,<ref name="Dark Stares Unleash New EP To The Nation!">{{cite web |url=http://planetmosh.com/dark-stares-unleash-new-ep-to-the-nation/ |title=Dark Stares Unleash New EP To The Nation! |date=16 January 2014 |accessdate=26 June 2012 |publisher=Planet Mosh |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629014839/http://planetmosh.com/dark-stares-unleash-new-ep-to-the-nation/ |archivedate=29 June 2012 }}</ref> Bleech,<ref name="Juicebox | Bleech Event">{{cite web|url=http://www.juiceboxindie.com/events/bleech/ |title=Juicebox Bleech Event |date=28 February 2013 |accessdate=18 February 2014 |publisher=Juicebox Indie |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222024937/http://www.juiceboxindie.com/events/bleech/ |archivedate=22 February 2014 }}</ref> Touchstone,<ref name="Quick Questions With: Dark Stares"/> Canterbury,<ref name="Pioneer Club relaunches gigs after three year absence from St Albans music scene">{{cite web|url=http://www.hertsad.co.uk/what-s-on/pioneer_club_relaunches_gigs_after_three_year_absence_from_st_albans_music_scene_1_580648|title=Pioneer Club relaunches gigs after three year absence from St Albans music scene|date=14 August 2010|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=Herts Advertiser|archive-date=22 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222060458/http://www.hertsad.co.uk/what-s-on/pioneer_club_relaunches_gigs_after_three_year_absence_from_st_albans_music_scene_1_580648|url-status=dead}}</ref> Fun Lovin' Criminals,<ref name="Rising UK Rockers DARK STARES To Release New EP">{{cite web|url= http://metalmouth.net/2013/05/rising-uk-rockers-dark-stares-to-release-new-ep/ |title= Rising UK Rockers DARK STARES To Release New EP |date=23 May 2013|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=Metal Mouth}}</ref> Goldblade, What Now, Bo Ningen, The Static Jacks and Willy Moon.<ref name="Juicebox Indie Facebook Post">{{cite web|url= https://www.facebook.com/juice.boxindie.3/posts/183624141745736 |title= Juicebox Indie Facebook Post |date=2 February 2012|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=Juicebox Indie}}</ref>
As they became more locally established, they were invited by fellow St Albans band Enter Shikari to open for them at The Forum, University of Hertfordshire in December 2010.<ref name="AN ENTER SHIKARI CHRISTMAS PART ONE - HATFIELD, HERTS - DEC 2010">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjRjvqmoHjw|title= AN ENTER SHIKARI CHRISTMAS PART ONE – HATFIELD, HERTS – DEC 2010 |date=15 January 2011|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> The sold-out show featured performances from Rolo Tomassi and Young Guns, as well as Don Broco and The Qemists.<ref name="Enter Shikari Announce Christmas Party">{{cite web|url=http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2010/09/enter_shikari_announce_christm.html |title=Enter Shikari Announce Christmas Party |date=21 September 2010 |accessdate=18 February 2014 |publisher=Kerrang |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223182036/http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2010/09/enter_shikari_announce_christm.html |archivedate=23 February 2014 }}</ref>
===''Tell Your Friends'' (2010–12)=== Their debut EP, titled ''Tell Your Friends'', was recorded at Outhouse Studios, in Reading with Ben Humphreys and It Bites frontman, John Mitchell.<ref name="Get Ready To Rock Reviews by Pete Whalley">{{cite web|url=http://www.getreadytorock.com/reviews2011/single_reviews1211.htm|title= Get Ready To Rock Reviews by Pete Whalley |date=1 January 2011|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=Get Ready To Rock}}</ref> Opening track "Whisky" received repeated airplay on XFM from Ian Camfield's ''Rock Show''.<ref name="Dark Stares Octopon EP">{{cite web|url= http://ringmasterreviewintroduces.wordpress.com/tag/dark-stares/ |title= Dark Stares Octopon EP |date=4 August 2013|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=The Ringmaster Review}}</ref><ref name="Dark Stares – Tell Your Friends">{{cite web|url= http://www.thisisnotascene.com/2013/dark-stares-tell-your-friends/ |title= Dark Stares – Tell Your Friends |date=14 January 2013|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=This Is Not A Scene}}</ref> ''AbsolutePunk'' interviewed the band on the release, who cited Nirvana and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club as influences.<ref name="AbsolutePunk Interview – Dark Stares"/> In October 2011 they were invited to perform as sole support to The Darkness for their "comeback" show at the prestigious 100 Club on Oxford Street, London.<ref name="The Darkness Announce 100 Club Show">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/the-darkness-announce-100-club-show/ |title=The Darkness Announce 100 Club Show |date=30 September 2011 |accessdate=18 February 2014 |magazine=Metal Hammer |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223040054/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/the-darkness-announce-100-club-show/ |archivedate=23 February 2014 }}</ref> The gig sold-out quickly and was heavily attended by music journalists,<ref name="The Darkness @ 100 Club 10th October 2011">{{cite web|url= http://planetmusicreviews.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/the-darkness-100-club-10th-october-2011/ |title= The Darkness @ 100 Club 10th October 2011 |date=13 October 2011|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=Planet Music Reviews}}</ref> as well as notable appearances from Queen guitarist Brian May and comedian Rufus Hound.<ref name="The Darkness Wow The 100 Club At Intimate Show">{{cite web|url= http://www.justinhawkinsrocks.co.uk/index.php?start_from=308&ucat=&archive=&subaction=&id=& |title= The Darkness Wow The 100 Club At Intimate Show |date=11 October 2011|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=JustinHawkinsRocks.co.uk}}</ref> In November 2011 the band were interviewed on BBC Introducing to discuss the debut release,<ref name="Kelly Interviews the Dark Stares - 18/11/11">{{cite web|url=https://audioboo.fm/boos/554216-kelly-interviews-the-dark-stares-18-11-11|title=Kelly Interviews the Dark Stares – 18/11/11|date=18 November 2011|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=BBC Introducing|archive-date=22 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222174341/https://audioboo.fm/boos/554216-kelly-interviews-the-dark-stares-18-11-11|url-status=dead}}</ref> and ''Powerplay Magazine'' reviewed the EP, declaring Dark Stares "to be on the radio soon – and getting the recognition they deserve."<ref name="Powerplay Magazine - Issue 146">{{cite web|url=http://powerplaymagazine.co.uk/issue-146/|title=Powerplay Magazine – Issue 146|date=16 April 2012|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=Powerplay Magazine|archive-date=17 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117030602/http://powerplaymagazine.co.uk/issue-146/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Black Velvet'' featured the band as "Supersonic Future Superstars" and labelled the EP "rock n' roll fantasy full of sonic supremacy."<ref name="Black Velvet Magazine - Issue 74">{{cite web|url= http://www.blackvelvetmagazine.com/issue74.htm |title= Black Velvet Magazine – Issue 74 |date=11 February 2012|accessdate=21 February 2014|publisher=Black Velvet}}</ref>
===''Octopon'' and "Bad Machine" (2012–14)=== In October 2012, the band released a music video for "Bad Machine" ahead of their second EP ''Octopon''. The video quickly rose to over 100,000 views on YouTube.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6FUrJnZU1E|title=Dark Stares – Bad Machine – OFFICIAL|date=1 October 2012|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> ''Hit the Floor'' speculated the EP name came from cult animated series ''The Pirates of Dark Water'' and had "the sleazy glamour of Audioslave, in their 'Cochise' days."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitthefloor.com/music/review-dark-stares-octopon-ep|title=Review: Dark Stares – Octopon (EP)|date=2 August 2013|accessdate=18 February 2014|work=Hit the Floor}}</ref> The release was picked up on by national magazine ''Metal Hammer'', which controversially quipped that the record was an imitation of the style of Queens of the Stone Age, claiming "they may have QOTSA's debt-collectors knocking on their door soon."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en-gb.facebook.com/SaNpromotion/posts/576454649060601|title=SaN PR Facebook Post|date=21 November 2014|accessdate=21 June 2013|publisher=Facebook}}</ref> ''Rock Sound'' magazine reviewed the release favourably, also drawing comparisons to Queens of the Stone Age and Foo Fighters respectively, and stated "we're more inclined to throw Muse into the equation."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocksound.tv/magazine/article/issue-177-summer-13|title=In the Magazine: Issue 177 – Summer 13 |date=30 August 2013|accessdate=18 February 2014|work=Rock Sound}}</ref> ''Powerplay Magazine'' followed-up their previous feature positively, stating "randomly dropping into any track would elicit a hypnotic pounding groove."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://powerplaymagazine.co.uk/issue-155/|title=Powerplay Magazine – Issue 155|date=21 July 2013|accessdate=18 February 2014|work=Powerplay Magazine|archive-date=21 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221231133/http://powerplaymagazine.co.uk/issue-155/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In August 2013 the band officially launched the EP with a headline show at the Barfly in Camden, London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mamacolive.com/thebarfly/listings/upcoming-events/8679/dark-stares-ep-launch/|title=Dark Stares EP Launch Plus Alexis Kings|date=9 August 2013|accessdate=18 February 2014|publisher=MAMA & Company|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222020428/http://mamacolive.com/thebarfly/listings/upcoming-events/8679/dark-stares-ep-launch/|archive-date=22 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===''Soul Contract'' and ''Zebra Session'' (2014–2017)=== On 28 October 2014, the band announced their third EP ''Soul Contract'', releasing a teaser video on YouTube featuring five new songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHoiLqPOFXw|title=Dark Stares – Soul Contract (EP) Teaser – OFFICIAL|date=28 October 2014|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> On 24 November 2014 the EP was made digitally available worldwide,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/soul-contract-ep/934043689|title=Soul Contract – EP|date=24 November 2014|publisher=iTunes}}</ref> with a physical release scheduled for 6 April 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vanguard-online.co.uk/dark-stares-soul-contract-ep/|title=Dark Stares – Soul Contract EP|date=17 January 2015|publisher=Vanguard Online}}</ref> In January 2015 MAMA announced a Dark Stares headline show on 2 May 2015 at the Camden Barfly to officially launch the EP, with support from Alexis Kings and Franklin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thebarflylondon.com/listings/upcoming-events/12891/dark-stares-ep-launch-2/|title=Dark Stares (EP Launch) + Alexis Kings + Franklin|date=5 January 2015|publisher=MAMA & Company}}</ref> In the same month they released ''Zebra Session'', a live EP featuring four live versions of tracks from their previous studio releases with accompanying music videos.
===Debut album: ''Darker Days Are Here to Stay'' (2018–present)=== On 5 March 2018 the band announced their debut album with a pre-order available for physical release, including 100 signed copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/DarkStares/posts/2085143964836849 |title=Debut album: 'Darker Days Are Here to Stay' (2018)|date=5 March 2018|publisher=Dark Stares}}</ref> On 11 May 2018, the album was released worldwide. Classic Rock featured the album with a mixed review, labelling some songs as both "propulsive" and "electrifying".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.facebook.com/DarkStares/photos/a.481249528559642.117018.239552089396055/2191931854158059/ |title=Review from Classic Rock Magazine on DS album |date=15 May 2018|magazine=Classic Rock}}</ref>
==Band members== ;Current members * Miles Kristian Howell – lead vocals, guitar <small>(2009–present)</small> * Taylor Howell – drums, percussion, guitar, backing vocals <small>(2009–present)</small> * Harry Collins – lead guitar, backing vocals <small>(2009–present)</small> * Brett Harland Howell – bass guitar, backing vocals <small>(2009–present)</small>
== Discography == ===Extended plays=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Album details |- ! scope="row"| ''Tell Your Friends'' | * Released: 12 May 2012 * Labels: AWAL * Formats: CD, digital download |- ! scope="row"| ''Octopon'' | * Released: 1 July 2013 * Labels: AWAL * Formats: CD, digital download |- ! scope="row"| ''Soul Contract'' | * Released: 24 November 2014 * Labels: AWAL * Formats: CD, Digital download |- ! scope="row"| ''Zebra Session'' (Live) | * Released: 12 January 2015 * Labels: AWAL * Formats: CD, Digital download |- ! scope="row"| ''Ruby - EP'' | * Released: 18 December 2020 * Labels: AWAL * Formats: Digital download |- ! scope="row"| ''Obsidian - EP'' | * Released: 3 September 2021 * Labels: AWAL * Formats: Digital download |- ! scope="row"| ''Emerald - EP'' | * Released: 3 December 2021 * Labels: AWAL * Formats: Digital download |}
===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Album details |- ! scope="row"| ''Darker Days Are Here to Stay'' | * Released: 4 May 2018 * Labels: AWAL * Formats: CD, digital download |- ! scope="row"| ''The Lightning Echo'' | * Released: 31 May 2019 * Labels: AWAL * Formats: CD, digital download |- |}
==See also== {{Portal|Biography|Rock music|England}} * List of bands from England * List of indie-rock musicians {{clear}}
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == * {{URL|darkstares.com}}, the band's official website * {{YouTube|u=darkstares|Dark Stares|suffix='}}
Category:2009 establishments in England Category:British alternative rock groups Category:English indie rock groups Category:Musical groups established in 2009 Category:Musical groups from St Albans