by Kenyon Hopkin
Formed in 1998 in Sulphur Springs, TX, prog metal band Fair to Midland are vocalist Darroh Sudderth, guitarist Cliff Campbell, bassist Jon Dicken, drummer Brett Stowers, and keyboardist Matt Langley. After two independently released records (The Carbon Copy Silver Lining EP in 2001 and Inter. Funda. Stifle in 2004), the band caught the attention of System of a Down's Serj Tankian, who signed them to his label, Serjical Strike, in April 2006. The Drawn and Quartered EP, featuring demo and live tracks, arrived later that year. Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True, with production from David Bottrill (Tool, King Crimson), was released in June 2007.