Since I first heard Escape the Fate’s debut EP in 2006, I’ve been a fan. Initially, I can attribute this to the fact that I’m a huge Motley Crue junkie. Now, I’m not saying that Escape the Fate is the reincarnation of the Crue, but let’s face it, among all the pop-punk and straight-edge bands on the scene, Escape the Fate is, at the very least, the Motley Crue of Warped Tour. Think about it. Both of the original lead singers have done jail time. Both bands have parted ways with their lead singer (at least temporarily). Both bands have a shy, quiet, soft-spoken, but shredding guitarist. Sure, these are trivial comparisons, but an article published in Kerrang! really shows similar lifestyles. I don’t know how much truth there is to this article, but for the sake of rock n’ roll, I’m going to go with it. I was born a decade too late for the domination of Motley Crue so I take what I can get. And I’m taking Escape the Fate.
Escape the Fate formed in Las Vegas back in 2004 and released their debut EP There’s No Sympathy for the Dead in May of 2006. Four months later, their first full-length album, Dying is Your Latest Fashion was released. Dying is Your Latest Fashion was the only full-length album released by Escape the Fate with their then lead singer, Ronnie Radke. In 2008, Radke was replaced by former Blessthefall vocalist, Craig Mabbitt and the band released their second album, This War is Ours in October of the same year.
I’m not going to get into the politics of why Ronnie Radke is no longer in the band or which singer is better. Bottom line is, if you like Ronnie, keep listening to Dying is Your Latest Fashion and check out his new band, Falling in Reverse (formerly From Behind These Walls). If you like Craig, listen to This War Is Ours or some old school Blessthefall. And hey, you could even check out some older tracks by Craig’s side project, The Word Alive (now fronted by former Greeley Estates member, Telle Smith). It’s not that hard, guys. You don’t have to turn this into an epic Team Ronnie vs. Team Craig situation like Twilight. (Team Edward, by the way…)
After completing a series of sold out headlining shows, these guys are going to be on Warped Tour all summer. YOU NEED TO CHECK THEM OUT. In my opinion, a lot of bands on Warped Tour are very “edited.” For example, maybe the band can kind of sing and play their instruments, but with the help of studio technology, they can sound amazing ““ until you see them live and just pray they’ll hit at least one note in their set. Escape the Fate is as far from an “edited” band as they get. These guys know what they’re doing and I’m pretty sure Craig Mabbitt is one of the best live performers on the scene today. These boys will put on one of the most explosive live shows you’ll see on Warped Tour this summer”¦possibly ever. Don’t miss them.
I’ll try and score some time with these guys out on Warped Tour, so keep your fingers crossed for an interview soon! (Update: You can read my interview with drummer, Robert Ortiz here.)
Until then, check out their newest video “10 Miles Wide” which features Josh Todd from Buckcherry. It’s over on their Myspace.
Still want more of these guys?
Escape the Fate on Buzznet
Escape the Fate on Twitter
Craig Mabbitt on Twitter