CRITICAL DARLINGS
@ 40 Watt Club
in Athens, GA
on June 19, 2010

Back in the early days of the band, I would've never guessed we'd be sharing the stage with some of the great people that we have. We were just playing for fun. And at this point, we've played with some pretty amazing groups. Being able to play before Mitch Easter was another one of those great experiences... 

 

 

CRITICAL DARLINGS
Live From The Classic City
Athens, GA
June 18, 2010

Before we started playing tonight, I looked around at the guys and said, “Hey, tonight's a first. It's our first time playing underwater.” That's what it felt like. The set is nice and homey (though the paintings are actually pretty disturbing up close), but in the words of Monty Python, “It's only a model”. Those walls could've fallen in on us at any second, which, granted, would've been a rock ‘n' roll way to end the video shoot...

 

 

 

ZIGGY STARDUST
(Bowie Tribute)
(Featuring Chris McKay on guitar)
New Earth Music Hall
Athens, GA
May 21, 2010

I'm not going to lie to you. We were rusty. For us, we were VERY rusty. In fact, the 7 of us hadn't all played together a single time since February of 2009. Yep. It had been a year and 3 months. I know that we did a Ziggy show in June of '09, but we had a different keyboard player. That being said, we pulled out all the stops, we put on the eyebrows and we gave a great show...

 

 

 

CRITICAL DARLINGS
Melting Point
Athens, GA
May 15, 2010 

Andy couldn't make it to this show, so Josh Couillard, Frank and I did our first appearance as a trio. It seems like every show we're doing lately is a first (or last) of some sort. Ah well, it's cool. We're moving on. The music and the vibe survives. I'm learning more and more with every rebirth that, even with all the changes, The Critical Darlings are The Critical Darlings...

 

 

 

 

CRITICAL DARLINGS
@ Max Canada
Athens, GA
April 29, 2010

Frank and I have been searching for the perfect “fourth limb” for a year now. We've worked with 14 different guitar players and haven't been able to find the right person yet. I've missed it. On top of that, early this year, our drummer Joshua Harrison had to move on to Texas and leave the band behind, too. It's been a rough few months...

 

 

CRITICAL DARLINGS
The Venue
Camden, South Carolina
November 13, 2009

Camden is Frank's and my hometown, but we hardly ever get a chance to play there. It's really a shame, but it's been very hard for us to find a regular place to play there. Danny Riddick championed us for this gig and he did whatever it took to get us to Camden. (Thanks, Danny). The last time we played there was headlining the local arena at a benefit for a fallen friend. This time, it was all about reconnecting and bringing our songs home...

 

 

 

 

 

CRITICAL DARLINGS
@ Caledonia Lounge
in Athens, GA
on Oct. 28, 2009

Tonight, we had no set list and early in the show, we decided to just take our chances, fling away any rules or expectations and just play. Heck, Frank and I didn't even change into stage clothes. I'm sure we won't make a habit of that but tonight, it seemed like the way to go...(Read more)

 

 

 

 

 

GET TO KNOW
CHRIS McKAY

I grew up on the mean streets of Camden, South Carolina. Well, I wasn't literally in the streets and they weren't that mean. And a lot of time I was across the river in Lugoff. And heck, many would say that I didn't actually grow up. But I was there anyway. Now I just visit...(Read More)

 

 

 

 

 

CRITICAL DARLINGS
@ Charlotte Pop Fest
in Freedom Park
on Sept. 26, 2009

Even though the band was taking some time off to regroup as a three-piece and write and prepare new material, this is one of the shows we didn't want to lose. The bill was a killer, and I was certainly proud of the company. The Posies, The Smithereens and Jill Sobule were all a part of this along with way too many more to mention... (Read more)

 

 

 

GET TO KNOW
FRANK DeFREESE

"Chris and I went to high school in this weird little town in South Carolina. Between us and one other kid, we had THE most incredibly extensive and comprehensive collection of books on The Occult and an encyclopedic knowledge of Rock'N'Roll. The funny thing about this town was its susceptibility to urban myths. Our school mascot was a demon, and all these local churches were constantly trying to get the mascot changed. I kid you not, center court of our basketball arena was a giant likeness of a pitchfork-wielding demon wearing a speedo! It was by far the coolest thing about that school..." (Read more)

 

 

 

 

 

CRITICAL DARLINGS
@ The Local In Marietta, Georgia on Aug. 21, 2009 (Opening for King's X)

Tonight, The Darlings started with a great rock song, "Until The Road Ends". By the third song, "Waiting For The Siren", this rock crowd was hooked...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Featuring in depth concert, CD and DVD reviews written by members of the Critical Darlings!