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Spys4Darwin
Spys4Darwin
Spys4Darwin
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Spys4Darwin were an American rock supergroup formed in Seattle, Washington in 2001. The short-lived project featured members from Seattle-based groups Queensrÿche and Alice in Chains as well as the frontman of Detroit, Michigan-based group Sponge. Spys4Darwin began with guitarist Chris DeGarmo and drummer Sean Kinney, two friends who had both recently performed with Jerry Cantrell during his solo tour. They were soon joined by bassist Mike Inez and vocalist Vin Dombroski, and began jamming at Binge Studios, a former abandoned paint factory in Seattle. The project marked DeGarmo's first creative work since departing from his long-held position in Queensrÿche in 1998.

Key Information

Name origin

[edit]

DeGarmo claimed that the band's name came from a curious man named Darwin that stayed in a lean-to near their studio.[1] He volunteered to act as security while they performed despite not being able to access the studio himself. One day, Darwin told DeGarmo and Kinney that he was to embark on a trip and asked that they look after his belongings. DeGarmo allegedly looked to Kinney and said "So I guess now we're spies for Darwin."

Microfish

[edit]
Not to be confused with Microfiche.

Spys4Darwin produced only a single album, a six-track EP entitled Microfish, which consisted of one week's worth of recorded sessions.[2] While all band members contributed to the songs, much of the compositions were developed by DeGarmo and Kinney communicating back and forth while the lyrics were handled by Dombroski. "Dashboard Jesus (Follow)" was the first single that was released from the EP.[3] In an interview, DeGarmo cited hopes to release a full-length album of about a dozen tracks in early 2002. The band was also reportedly working on the album as late as February 12 that year.[4] However, a second album would ultimately not come to fruition.

Microfish consists of recordings from Binge Studios which were refined at Chris DeGarmo and Sean Kinney's houses before being mixed by Adam Kasper at Studio X. Spys4Darwin released the EP on their own record label, Pied Viper Records. Originally only available through the band's official website, Microfish was promoted through the band itself and a modest grassroots approach. According to DeGarmo, regarding the band's approach to Microfish: "It was really just us getting together, us recording, us taking it into mix with friends, and us releasing it directly to those people that are interested in it, with kind of very little fanfare... This was about us trying to make the recording as we could in our studio and make a nice package that was more about bein' proud of somethin' that we put out as opposed to whether or not it competes with Creed."

The group recruited Void guitarist Bubba Dupree and performed one gig at KNDD's Endfest 10 on August 4, 2001.[5] The performance was documented in Hi-8mm b/w by former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic (who also reportedly drove the band's bus) for possible streaming on the band's official website.[6] Other groups that performed at the festival include The Living End, Sum 41, Nickelback, Ours, The Offspring, Cake, and The Crystal Method.[7][8]

Reception

[edit]

Critic Malcolm Dome of Classic Rock gave the album a positive review, calling it "pretty seamless and thoroughly entertaining":[9]

"Don't expect a sound that's a hybrid of their alma matas; Spys4Darwin have their own ideas. A familiar blend that encompasses contemporary American rock (think Matchbox Twenty, Train etc) that then takes a left-field twist to pick up traces of bands like Faith No More and Pearl Jam. Infused with sensible melodies and clear-cut arrangements, it's classic rock for a modern audience.
The best track of the six on this minialbum is undoubtedly 'Dashboard Jesus (Follow)', a masterpiece with dense atmospherics, a spiky attitude and a nice sense of the epic, although the rest of the material hardly slouches in comparison.
Which all goes to suggest that 'Spys4Darwin' isn't just a collection of stars idling away their time, but a bona fide band with a future."

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleLength
1."Submission in Love"3:38
2."Insomnia Station"3:57
3."Dashboard Jesus (Follow)"4:49
4."Chain Letter"4:17
5."Flood (Skill of the Kill)"3:42
6."Cold Dead Hands"4:23

Post-Spys4Darwin

[edit]

In 2002, the members of Spys4Darwin had begun to move on to different projects. April 2002, saw the death of Layne Staley, a longtime bandmate to both Kinney and Inez. This put Alice in Chains into official hiatus, with Inez (who was rumored to replace Jason Newsted in Metallica)[10] joining Heart[11] and also rejoining Black Label Society. DeGarmo contributed to the Jerry Cantrell single, "Anger Rising", before temporarily rejoining Queensrÿche to write material for their album Tribe in 2003. Meanwhile, Vin Dombroski and Sponge bandmate Joey Mazzola recruited three new members and released their album For All the Drugs in the World in 2003. In January 2008, long after Spys4Darwin had disbanded and their website expired, the EP Microfish was made available through CDBaby.com.[12]

Band members

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Spys4Darwin

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Spys4Darwin was a short-lived supergroup formed in , Washington, consisting of drummer and bassist from , guitarist formerly of , and vocalist from . The project originated in 1999 when Kinney and DeGarmo, who had previously toured together supporting Jerry Cantrell's solo album , began collaborating and recruited Inez and Dombroski to complete the lineup. The band's sound blended guitar-driven rock with punk-pop influences, delivering dark yet melodic tracks that ranged from heavy riffs to acoustic elements. Spys4Darwin released their only recording, the six-track EP Microfish, on May 18, 2001, through the independent Pied Viper Records label, which captured material developed primarily by DeGarmo and Kinney with lyrics by Dombroski. Tracks on the EP, including "Submission in Love," "Insomnia Station," "Dashboard ," "," "," and "Cold Dead Hands," showcased the group's and style. Although a full-length of around a dozen songs was planned for early 2002 and potential major-label interest was reported, the project dissolved without further releases, marking its active period as lasting only about two years.

Formation

Inception

Spys4Darwin originated as a collaborative effort between guitarist and drummer , who first connected during the 1998 tour supporting Jerry Cantrell's solo album . Their partnership began in earnest in October 1999, with the two exchanging demo tapes and ideas without rigid expectations, driven by mutual respect and creative curiosity. DeGarmo described the process as organic, noting, "We didn’t really put any defining boundaries around it... we had a fairly good hunch it would be pretty interesting." The project evolved into a full rock supergroup in 1999 in Seattle, Washington, incorporating bassist and frontman on lead vocals. Kinney and Inez were available due to ' extended hiatus following their final performance with singer in July 1996, amid Staley's worsening addiction issues that sidelined the band. DeGarmo had left after their 1997 album Hear in the Now Frontier to focus on a career in aviation, while Dombroski, who had fronted the Detroit alternative rock band since its 1992 formation, brought his established vocal presence to the lineup. The supergroup aimed to build on their initial sessions by recording a six-song EP, Microfish, released independently in May 2001, with ambitions for a major-label full-length of around a dozen tracks in early 2002 and subsequent touring. However, these broader plans did not come to fruition, limiting Spys4Darwin to a brief creative endeavor before the members returned to their primary commitments.

Name origin

The name "Spys4Darwin" derives from a homeless man named Darwin who hung around the band's recording studio. The band adopted the moniker in a playful, phonetic spelling.

Band members

Core lineup

The core lineup of Spys4Darwin consisted of four musicians drawn from prominent rock acts of the era, forming a supergroup project that blended their respective styles. Chris DeGarmo, the guitarist and primary songwriter, was a co-founder of the project and previously served as lead guitarist for , contributing the band's driving guitar-based sound. , the drummer and fellow co-founder, brought his rhythmic foundation from , where he had been a key member since the band's inception, and collaborated closely with DeGarmo from the project's start. handled bass duties, rounding out the rhythm section alongside Kinney as a longtime bassist. provided lead vocals, drawing from his role as frontman of and infusing the music with a punk-pop edge and distinctive growl. All members participated on a part-time basis, balancing commitments to their primary bands— (with DeGarmo having departed in 1997 but the group still active), the then-hiatus-bound , and ongoing —which limited the project's scope to a single EP release.

Contributions

The songwriting for Spys4Darwin's EP Microfish was a collaborative process involving all four members, with full writing credits attributed to guitarist , bassist , drummer , and vocalist on every track, including "Submission in Love" and "Insomnia Station." DeGarmo and Kinney led the core compositional development, exchanging ideas through ongoing communication to shape the arrangements. contributed distinctive bass lines that were refined and integrated during the band's collective rehearsal and recording sessions. Dombroski brought vocal melodies to life , adapting them to fit the evolving tracks alongside the instrumental framework. In terms of production, the band took primary responsibility as producers, with DeGarmo and Dombroski handling additional recording duties to fine-tune elements in personal setups. The final mixes were handled by Adam Kasper at Studio X in Seattle, allowing the group to oversee refinements that preserved their creative vision.

Microfish

Recording process

The recording process for Spys4Darwin's Microfish EP was notably efficient, taking place over one week at Binge Studios in Seattle, Washington, where the supergroup captured the initial raw sessions. This short timeline reflected the project's spontaneous formation amid the members' busy schedules with their primary bands, allowing for a focused burst of creativity in the converted abandoned paint factory space. Following sessions, the material underwent refinements at the home studios of guitarist and drummer , enabling personalized tweaks to the arrangements and performances in a more intimate setting. These adjustments preserved the organic, collaborative energy of the supergroup while honing the tracks' blend of drive and melodic elements. The EP was then mixed by renowned engineer at in , bringing polish to the recordings with his expertise in handling dynamic rock productions. Produced independently by themselves on their Pied Viper label, the process emphasized a raw, unpolished supergroup aesthetic that prioritized immediacy over extensive overdubs.

Release and availability

Microfish was released on May 18, 2001, as a six-track EP in CD format through Pied Viper Records, an independent label founded by the band members. The physical release was limited in production, reflecting the project's short-lived nature and the absence of major label backing. Initial distribution occurred primarily through the band's official website and direct sales channels, aligning with the indie approach typical for such supergroup side projects in the early . Due to the musicians' commitments to their main bands, no broader commercial distribution was pursued at the time. In subsequent years, Microfish saw expanded digital availability, becoming accessible on platforms like CDBaby in 2008. Currently, the EP streams on services including and , while remaining physical copies circulate via resale marketplaces such as Amazon and .

Track listing

The EP Microfish features six tracks in style, all co-written by the band's core members , , , and Vin Dombroski.
No.TitleDurationWriter(s)
1"Submission in Love"3:38DeGarmo, , Kinney, Dombroski
2"Insomnia Station"3:57DeGarmo, , Kinney, Dombroski
3"Dashboard Jesus (Follow)"4:49DeGarmo, , Kinney, Dombroski
4""4:17DeGarmo, , Kinney, Dombroski
5"Flood (Skill of the Kill)"3:42DeGarmo, , Kinney, Dombroski
6"Cold Dead Hands"4:23DeGarmo, , Kinney, Dombroski
The total runtime is 24:46.

Critical reception

Upon its release, the Microfish EP received a positive from critic in Classic Rock magazine, who praised the supergroup's seamless chemistry and described the collection as thoroughly entertaining, while highlighting "Dashboard Jesus (Follow)" as a standout track with dense atmospherics, a spiky attitude, and a killer chorus. User ratings on average 3.4 out of 5 from 44 votes, reflecting appreciation for the EP's energetic sound and rhythmic, male-vocalist-driven . Fans have drawn comparisons to ' acoustic style in "Chain Letter," noting its ballad-like qualities reminiscent of tracks from the band's Jar of Flies EP. Due to its independent release on Pied Viper , Microfish saw limited mainstream coverage, though it has been valued for its raw collaborative among niche audiences. Some critiques pointed to the EP's brevity—six tracks recorded in just one week—as a limitation, preventing deeper exploration of the lineup's potential. The project earned no major awards but retains enduring cult appeal within and communities for its supergroup novelty and vibe.

Live performances

Endfest 2001

Spys4Darwin performed their only confirmed live concert at the KNDD 107.7 Endfest 10 festival on August 4, 2001, held at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds in . This appearance marked the supergroup's public debut, as they had formed earlier that year with members from prominent Seattle rock acts including and . The event drew an estimated crowd despite competition from other summer festivals, with Spys4Darwin taking the B stage for a slot amid a diverse lineup. The band's setlist drew primarily from their recently released Microfish EP, along with two new compositions from their planned full-length album. The performance was described as raucous and entertaining, lasting approximately 30 minutes and showcasing the musicians' chemistry. This show also served as the project's sole live outing, effectively concluding their brief run. The festival featured headliners like and , alongside acts including Lit, , , and , positioning Spys4Darwin among emerging and established talents. The performance was documented on Hi-8mm black-and-white video by , the former Nirvana bassist, who reportedly also drove the band's bus. This recording provides a rare visual record of the one-off event, highlighting the informal, collaborative spirit of Seattle's rock scene at the time.

Setlist and guests

Spys4Darwin's set at Endfest 2001 on August 4 primarily featured tracks from their Microfish EP, including the opener "Submission," as well as two new compositions from their forthcoming full-length album. The performance included guest guitarist Dupree of Void, who joined core guitarist on guitar duties. No official full recordings of the show have been released to the public, although the set was captured in black-and-white Hi-8mm footage by for potential online streaming. Fan accounts highlight the high-energy nature of the performance, with vocalist lunging onto the audience barricade and the band delivering an intense set that strongly engaged the crowd. This debut appearance marked Spys4Darwin's only live outing.

Aftermath

Disbandment

Spys4Darwin disbanded in late 2001 shortly after their live debut at Endfest 2001 on August 4, which served as the supergroup's only public performance. The primary reason for the dissolution was the members' commitments to their respective main bands, including for drummer and bassist , for guitarist , and for vocalist . The band had recorded sufficient material for a full-length album, originally slated for release in early 2002 following their six-track EP Microfish. However, this project was scrapped and never saw completion or issuance, amid Alice in Chains entering an indefinite hiatus after the death of their lead vocalist on April 5, 2002. There was no formal announcement regarding the disbandment, and the supergroup simply faded from activity as a one-off collaborative experiment with no subsequent releases or shows.

Members' subsequent activities

Following the release of Spys4Darwin's Microfish EP in 2001, guitarist Chris DeGarmo contributed slide guitar to the track "Anger Rising" on Jerry Cantrell's solo album Degradation Trip (2002). He also served as a guest guitarist and co-writer on several tracks for his former band Queensrÿche's album Tribe (2003), marking one of his last major rock collaborations before shifting focus. DeGarmo subsequently pursued production work, including producing Dredg's album Catch Without Arms (2005), and has collaborated musically with his daughter Rylie as The Rue since 2009, releasing material into the 2020s. Drummer rejoined in 2006 alongside vocalist/guitarist and bassist , with singer filling the role left vacant by Layne Staley's death in 2002; the lineup debuted at a that year and has remained active since. The reunited band released their comeback album in 2009, which debuted at No. 5 on the and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Performance, followed by extensive touring. Kinney has continued performing with through subsequent albums like (2013) and (2018), as well as ongoing international tours into 2025. Bassist Mike Inez balanced commitments post-Spys4Darwin by joining Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society from 2001 to 2004, contributing to their album The Blessed Hellride (2003) and related tours. He then played with Heart from 2002 to 2006, appearing on their live album Alive in Seattle (2002) and supporting tours. Inez remained a core member of the reformed Alice in Chains starting in 2006, participating in all their recordings and performances thereafter. Later, he briefly reunited with Ozzy Osbourne for the singer's final performances in 2025, including select dates on the "Back to the Beginning" tour. Vocalist returned to his primary band , which released the album For All the Drugs in the World in 2003, featuring tracks like "Candy Elephant" and marking a return to their sound. Dombroski has led continuously since, through lineup changes and a series of releases including a reissue of Wax Ecstatic... To Possibly Maybe (2000), Galore Galore (2007), and Stop the Bleeding (2023), alongside regular U.S. and international tours into the mid-2020s. As of November 2025, there have been no reunions or revivals of Spys4Darwin, with Microfish remaining the project's only output.

References

  1. https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=104499&page=1
  2. https://www.discogs.com/release/2431296-Spys4Darwin-Microfish
  3. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/flashback-alice-in-chains-play-final-show-with-layne-staley-47789/
  4. https://www.metal-rules.com/2023/02/22/new-queensryche-book-to-include-contributions-from-original-guitarist-chris-degarmo/
  5. https://www.spongetheband.com/epk
  6. https://heavymetalrarities.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=234&t=59675&p=249258
  7. https://www.facebook.com/NeHiStripesSeattle/videos/part-2-of-2-spys4darwin-was-a-short-lived-project-featuring-members-from-seattle/1425820154738333/
  8. https://blabbermouth.net/news/archive-news-apr-08-2001-1
  9. https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/microfish-mr0000329353
  10. https://rateyourmusic.com/label/pied_viper_records/
  11. https://www.thestranger.com/music/2001/07/26/8161/cd-review-revue
  12. https://www.sputnikmusic.com/bands/Queensryche/1458/
  13. https://music.apple.com/us/album/microfish/264912139
  14. https://genius.com/albums/Spys4darwin/Microfish
  15. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/ep/spys4darwin/microfish/
  16. https://heavymetalrarities.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=234&t=59675
  17. https://rateyourmusic.com/~bigpond
  18. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/rustandust/album/163722-microfish/
  19. https://www.setlist.fm/festival/2001/kndd-1077-endfest-2001-1bd62df4.html
  20. https://www.seattlepi.com/ae/music/article/Endfest-attendance-down-but-spirits-up-1061799.php
  21. https://blabbermouth.net/news/archive-news-aug-08-2001
  22. https://www.nirvanafanclub.com/get.php?section=news&file=08_2001.htm
  23. http://www.nirvanafanclub.com/get.php?section=news&file=08_2001.htm
  24. https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/spys4darwin
  25. https://98kupd.com/alice-in-chains-layne-staley-died-20-years-ago-today/
  26. https://americansongwriter.com/4-sad-posthumous-facts-about-alice-in-chains-layne-staley/
  27. https://www.discogs.com/release/2239553-Jerry-Cantrell-Anger-Rising
  28. https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/alice-in-chains-reunion-gives-way-to-album-tour-idUSTRE5620OD/
  29. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/alice-in-chains-reunion-gives-way-to-new-album-tour-268226/
  30. https://parade.com/news/ozzy-osbourne-bassist-mike-inez-reflects-on-first-and-final-shows-i-owe-that-man-everything
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