Escape the Fate, in its current form, is a hard-core punk/metalcore band comprised of lead singer Craig Mabbitt, lead guitarist Bryan "Monte" Money, bass guitarist Max Green, and drummer Robert Ortiz. The band has had a tumultuous time establishing themselves as modern rock gods for a new generation and have felt growing pains, departing with original lead singer Ron Radke early on after troubles with the law and a couple of other band members as personal conflicts have arisen. Still, ETF has managed to maintain the same spirit and remains one of the most talked about post-hardcore rock groups in a crowded genre. So, get your Escape the Fate tickets to see these guys live before they officially hit the big time.
Before the record deals, the group formed in Las Vegas, Nevada. The initial five band members (Radke, Money, Green, Ortiz, and Omar Espinosa) consistently found themselves playing in a variety of bands together, so they joined to together and made a huge impact once My Chemical Romance visited. The famed group judged a battle of the bands contest, and suddenly Escape the Fate were booked to open at least one show over the 2005 touring schedule along with headliners My Chemical Romance, Alkaline Trio, and Reggie and the Full Effect.
The performance on tour led to a record deal with Epitaph. A year later, in 2006, Escape the Fate released its first EP, There's No sympathy for the Dead. The EP served as a taste of the group's sound and of the music recorded for the first full length album, Dying Is Your Latest Fashion. The debut album, also released in 2006, failed to chart or sell very well.