Craig Mabbitt

Craig Mabbitt

Craig Mabbitt in 2013
Background information
Birth name Craig Edward Mabbitt
Born April 9, 1987
Glendale, Arizona, U.S.
Genres Post-hardcore, metalcore, screamo, hard rock
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, musician
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2003–present
Labels Eleven Seven, Interscope, Epitaph, Ferret
Associated acts Blessthefall, Escape the Fate, The Word Alive, The Dead Rabbitts, A Skylit Drive
Website twitter.com/craigmabbitt

Craig Edward Mabbitt (born April 9, 1987) is an American musician, singer and songwriter. He is the lead vocalist of Escape the Fate. He was formerly lead vocalist of the bands Blessthefall and The Word Alive. He is also the current lead vocalist of a side-project band, The Dead Rabbitts, along with Escape the Fate's rhythm guitarist, TJ Bell. Mabbitt possesses the vocal range of a tenor, and is known for his rock-based singing combined with screamed and growled vocal styles.

Early life

Mabbit in 2007 with Blessthefall

In his early childhood, Mabbitt required a breathing machine as a result of severe asthma.[1] He also had to attend a special class due to a speech impediment, but nevertheless he overcame these setbacks, and in his adolescent years, realized his 'dream of becoming a singer in a rock band'.

Musical career

Blessthefall (2003–2008)

While with Blessthefall, Mabbitt released two self-released EPs and one full length album. Their first full album, His Last Walk, was released on April 10, 2007 on Science Records/Ferret Music. It produced four singles; the last of which, "Rise Up", was released after he left the band, and he does not appear in the video.

Mabbitt performing live with Blessthefall at Warped Tour in 2007

In the middle of their 2007 European Tour with Silverstein and The Vincent Black Shadow, Mabbitt left the band for personal reasons, and was replaced by Beau Bokan, the former lead vocalist for Take the Crown.

Both Craig Mabbitt and Jonny Craig filled in for A Skylit Drive on clean and unclean positions after leaving their bands, during their tour in late 2007.

The Word Alive (2008)

Mabbitt founded the Arizona-based metalcore band The Word Alive in 2008 as a side-project while also performing in Escape the Fate. He and the group recorded songs for an EP that was never officially released, and November 2008 the band dropped Mabbitt, claiming complications due to his involvement with Escape the Fate. Mabbitt was replaced by Tyler "Telle" Smith, formerly the bassist of Greeley Estates and singer/keyboardist of In Fear and Faith; since then, The Word Alive has released an EP and three albums.

Escape the Fate (2008–present)

Mabbitt and Escape The Fate live in Las Vegas, 2008

After singer Ronnie Radke was sentenced to two years probation for battery charges, Escape the Fate turned to Mabbitt, who had played with Escape the Fate on the Black on Black Tour while with Blessthefall. After several trial shows he became the official new singer and they entered the studio to record their second full length album This War Is Ours, which was released on October 21, 2008. It was the first Escape the Fate album with Mabbitt as singer; the album was a commercial success, entering at No. 35 on the Billboard 200 and selling 13,000 copies in the first week.[2]

The third studio album from the band and second to feature Mabbitt was Escape the Fate which was released on November 2, 2010 and is the band's most successful album to date charting No. 25 on the Billboard 200, No. 1 at Hard Rock Albums, No. 14 in a Rock Albums, No. 13 in Alternative and Independent charts and No. 118 in Digital Albums Chart.

On May 14, 2013 the band released their fourth studio album and third with Mabbitt Ungrateful.

The Dead Rabbitts (2011–present)

In late December, 2011, Mabbitt announced an upcoming side project, along with a new Escape the Fate album. He revealed that a single would be released in February 2012, and the album will be produced by Caleb Shomo of Attack Attack! and will be a reminiscent of his music from Blessthefall and The Word Alive. Mabbitt is set to release his debut solo album April 9, stating "what better day to release your album than on your birthday?" On Facebook, Mabbitt announced that if his official Facebook page got to 50,000 likes, he would release a new song. On his Twitter, he revealed that he is working on a song titled "Are You Still On Drugs", which may be related to a song titled "Are You On Drugs" that he wrote back when he was in The Word Alive.

When the page got to about 49,500 likes, he revealed the title and lyrics for the upcoming song, titled "Edge of Reality".[3] "Edge of Reality" was released the moment the page reached 50,000 likes.

Mabbitt posted a status update on his Facebook page informing that if the page got up to 75,000 likes, he would release another new song for his fans from his upcoming solo album. He also revealed a part of the lyrics of the upcoming song. Along with this announcement, he revealed an upcoming video for "Edge of Reality". On March 30, he announced the name of the upcoming EP titled Edge of Reality under the band name The Dead Rabbitts. On April 9, the EP or full-length wasn't released on Mabbitt's birthday as expected, so instead, he released a new song on YouTube titled, "World of Disaster" along with the final version of "Edge of Reality" on YouTube, and the "Edge of Reality – Single" on iTunes as well.

The Dead Rabbitts plan on doing a tour for a few selected dates and cities. Craig also announced that he plans on releasing the "Edge of Reality EP" once 100% is met on the scale for the pledge, so fans can pledge now, which means pre-ordering the EP, for just digital download or also with the physical copy as well.[4]

Craig has announced that he plans on releasing the Edge of Reality EP on October 19, 2012. Craig has streamed a new track only for the people who pledged, it's entitled "Nuthin But a Reject".[5] Another new track was released online by Craig entitled "Make Me Believe It" featuring Caleb Shomo of Attack Attack![6] On October 3, the goal was met for the pledge and for this Craig has released another track entitled "Sleep The Night Away" online.[7] In late 2013, Mabbitt and the band announced the release of their full length debut album sometime in 2014. On May 14, 2014, the band streamed a preview via Tragic Hero Records announcing the release of their first single "My Only Regret" and news regarding the album. The band announced on May 16 the title of their new album, Shapeshifter, a track list, and a release date. On July 1, 2014, The Dead Rabbitts released their debut album Shapeshifter via iTunes.

Discography

Blessthefall
The Word Alive
Escape the Fate
The Dead Rabbitts
Guest appearances

References

  1. ↑ "interview with Craig...". entertaim.net. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  2. ↑ "AC/DC Debuts At No. 1 With 784,000". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
  3. ↑ ""Edge Of Reality"...". Facebook. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  4. ↑ "The Dead Rabbitts: 'Edge of Reality' EP". PledgeMusic. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  5. ↑ "we have reached 55% here is a new track!". PledgeMusic. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  6. ↑ "new song for everyone!". PledgeMusic. September 16, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  7. ↑ "100% heres the ballad from the record!". PledgeMusic. October 4, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Ronnie Radkes Mixtape Website". RonnieRadkeMixtape. Ronnie Radke. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  9. ↑ "Glamour of the Kill - Pre-orders After Hours EP". iTunes. October 20, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.