Scary Kids Scaring Kids is an American post-hardcore band formed in Gilbert, Arizona, in 2002. The band's name was taken from the Cap'n Jazz song of the same name. The group disbanded following a farewell tour in 2010. In 2019 the group reunited for a 15-year anniversary reunion tour in January, 2020 and have teased future reunion plans.
History
2002–2005: Early years, ''After Dark'' and ''The City Sleeps In Flames''
The band – which originally was composed of Tyson Stevens on bass guitar and lead vocals, guitarists Chad Crawford, DJ Wilson and Steve Kirby, Pouyan Afkary on keyboards, and drummer Peter Costa – recorded their self-financed debut EP, After Dark, while they were still in Highland High School. the band graduated from Highland in 2003. After Dark was eventually re-released by Immortal Records in 2005. After nearly disbanding, they decided to pursue the band full-time, hosting nude 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: The City Sleeps in Flames. The album was recorded during February and March 2005 with producer Brian McTernan, and released on June 28, 2005.
2006–2007: ''Self titled'' album
Scary Kids Scaring Kids, released on August 28, 2007 and produced by Don Gilmore 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. 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. In 2007, Scary Kids Scaring Kids was awarded Best Noise/Screamo Band at the 2007 Arizona Ska Punk Awards Ceremony in Phoenix, Arizona. They took home the Best Noise/Screamo Band Award again in 2010, and won the Best Independent Band Award in 2009. 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 Chicken Express for the PETA's 'I Am Not A Nugget' campaign.
2008–2010: Label change, follow-up album and break-up
The band left Immortal Records 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 would be working on their third studio album at the end of the tour, but decided to part ways before tracking new material. Lead singer Tyson took some personal time off in the last four days of the 2009 Warped Tour and the band had tour members Craig Mabbitt of Escape the Fate, Brandon Bolmer formerly of Chiodos, Vic Fuentes of Pierce the Veil and Cove Reber, formerly of Saosin, filling in on vocals for the rest of the tour. On November 30, 2009 Pouyan posted an official statement declaring that by mutual agreement the group had disbanded. Derek Smith served as the band's drummer for their 2010 tour and opened shows with his new hip hop act, Mod Sun. The album that the band was recording in 2009 was never finished or released.
2014–2019: Tyson Stevens death and ''Loved Forever'' single
Vocalist Tyson Stevens was found dead from a suspected heroin overdose on the morning of October 20, 2014 at the age of 29. On September 29, 2019, Scary Kids Scaring Kids released a song titled "Loved Forever" to honour what would have been a wish of Stevens 34th birthday. The song was written by rhythm guitarist Chad Crawford and produced by Hiram Hernandez.
2020:''The City Sleeps in Flames'' 15 year anniversary tour
On November 18, 2019, members Crawford, Afkary and Costa announced that Scary Kids Scaring Kids would be reuniting for one more time for the 15 year anniversary tour of The City Sleeps in Flames release alongside touring members featuring ex-Saosin and Dead American frontman Cove Reber on vocals, Don Vedda on lead guitar and Jordan Flower on bass. The group toured from 13th to the 24thJanuary 2020 in partnership with To Write Love On Her Arms. Additional east coast dates were announced on March 9, 2020 to take place between the 27th of June and the 12th of July with support from The Classic Crime, Picturesque, and Eidola.
