Fair To Midland

Formed in 1998 in Sulphur Springs, Texas, prog metal band Fair to Midland are vocalist Darroh Sudderth, guitarist Cliff Campbell, bassist Jon Dicken, drummer Brett Stowers, and keyboardist Matt Langley. After two independently released records (The Carbon Copy Silver Lining EP in 2001 and Inter. Funda. Stifle in 2004), Fair to Midland caught the attention of System of a Down's Serj Tankian, who signed them to his label, Serjical Strike, in April 2006. The Drawn and Quartered EP, featuring demo and live tracks, arrived later that year. Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True, with production from David Bottrill (Tool, King Crimson), was released in June 2007. Following the release, the band toured extensively, playing the Coachella, Download, Rock am Ring, and Rock im Ring festivals, and garnered opening slots for Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, Flyleaf, and Dir en Grey. The end of the 21st century's first decade saw them change labels, signing to eOne; they also changed management and booking agents. In 2010 the band began recording the dark, spectral Arrows & Anchors, which was released by eOne in the summer of 2011. ~ Kenyon Hopkin, Rovi