the mercy kiss 2002-2007: a brief history
the mercy kiss began as a two-man experiment between Aaron Moore and Bay Dariz
in the Fall of 2002. They worked out of a tiny rented house on the East Side of
Milwaukee in the Fall of 2002, and this experiment became a "band" soon after.
TMK's first show was a nearly sold-out headlining gig at the Rave Bar in
Milwaukee on June 20th, 2003 and their second show was Lollapalooza 2003. Almost
immediately, TMK was generating interest on the West Coast. Armed with a
well-received debut record and LA-based representation, the band relocated to LA
with much enthusiasm [but little money].
The following year was a rough one for the music industries: labels merged
and/or folded, massive layoffs occurred, and uncertainty dominated. TMK decided
to take matters into their own hands and continued making their own records.
They would go on to self-produce and self-release 3 EPs and 1 LP, and tour the
country several times in the process. Band members were lost, adventures were
had, meals were skipped, and many miles were put on their purple conversion van.
In the middle of all of this, TMK was contacted by a producer, and upon
returning from their final tour, began work on what would be their second
full-length album. The making of this record would be sometimes exciting but
often disappointing.
As the months stretched on, the band ended up reverting back to the original
two-man lineup. Two years had now gone by since TMK had released music or been
on tour. By this point, Bay had started acting in indie films, and Aaron had
become finally and utterly disenchanted with the music business and life in LA.
It also became obvious that despite the band's efforts, the record was never
going be finished.
Aaron decided to move back to Milwaukee , and Bay stayed in LA.
the mercy kiss would like to thank everyone for
their unbelievable support over the last 5 years. We got to do so many things
most people only dream of! We traveled to dozens of states and met so many
thousands of amazing people, and we got to share our music with them. We're more
disappointed than anyone that we never really got our "shot", but you certainly
can't say the last 5 years weren't an amazing success. Right now it looks very
unlikely that the mercy kiss will release any more music or play any more shows,
but of course, stranger things have happened.
We also hope that you will support our future music projects with as much love
and enthusiasm as you did the mercy kiss!
Bay will continue work on his goth/pop solo-project
LORD BARONESS, but his
primary focus will be his new band
SOME HEAR EXPLOSIONS. Both can be found in
our "top friends". As soon as Aaron gets settled back in Milwaukee , his new
projects will also pop up as our "top friends", so please check them out as
well.
Again, we can't thank all of you enough for the past 5 years, and we hope to see
you all again soon!
Bay and Aaron
the mercy kiss
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