Dark Stares

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, additional guitar, backing vocals), Brett Harland Howell (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Harry Collins (lead guitar, backing vocals).

The band have produced three studio EPs: <a href="spotify:album:1Zma81Ro6WyTNpGqiafe0O" data-name="Tell Your Friends">Tell Your Friends</a>, <a href="spotify:album:7zx2LJdBWza7TfqV3ePQsk" data-name="Octopon">Octopon</a> and Soul Contract, all recorded at Outhouse Studios in Reading, Berkshire and released with AWAL.

The band began rehearsing in their shed in late 2009, under the name Kalazar. With the two youngest members of the band only 16, they played their first gig in December 2009, supporting XFM Unsigned 2007 winners, The Scratch. Eventually the band settled on the name Dark Stares, inspired by the theme tune of Welsh children&#39;s television series Funnybones. The brothers have &quot;proud Welsh roots&quot; on their father&#39;s side, as well as a Welsh surname. They continued to perform extensively at small venues mainly in local counties and London, but also nationally, including shows with <a href="spotify:artist:4BntNFyiN3VGG4hhRRZt9d" data-name="The Subways">The Subways</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0az6y7AjCCOAZzAF3i1Jaq" data-name="Bleech">Bleech</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2xnkhppPrflQ02TWRtIthQ" data-name="Canterbury">Canterbury</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0hWRiJV8KlRZvsZeemUJVv" data-name="Fun Lovin' Criminals">Fun Lovin' Criminals</a> , <a href="spotify:artist:5zJK7FiyyO3N2lE6Cvj5cg" data-name="Goldblade">Goldblade</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:5IFkJOdInZNX2q2ugG8coI" data-name="What Now">What Now</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7bvXpj7XZfmaZ2HOcqgY1a" data-name="Bo Ningen">Bo Ningen</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:5aPH21KxzBBb7SZTpuITrC" data-name="Willy Moon">Willy Moon</a> and many more.

As they became more locally established, they were invited by fellow St. Albans band <a href="spotify:artist:31jvzuB4ikftPQZJwrYfCF" data-name="Enter Shikari">Enter Shikari</a> to open for them at The Forum, University of Hertfordshire in December 2010. The sold-out show featured performances from <a href="spotify:artist:3uHCTHxtg3IVAvhyrYsZvI" data-name="Rolo Tomassi">Rolo Tomassi</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4v4qHupYi7eRJfkniHrp4Z" data-name="Young Guns">Young Guns</a> as well as Don Broco and The Qemists. ~ Wikipedia