Liars Academy was formed by ex-Cross My Heart guitarist/songwriter Ryan Shelkett and Strike Anywhere guitarist Matt Smith. The duo recruited drum veteran Evan Tanner to play drums and began playing shows in 2001. Due to Smith's prior commitments to Strike Anywhere, and Liars Academy's busy tour schedule, Matt was unable to be a full-time member of the band. At this point Chris Camden was recruited to play bass on tour. Things came together on that tour and Camden became a full-time member of Liars Academy at this point. Matt Smith, in turn, moved to Lead Guitar and the four-piece line-up took shape for Liars Academy leading to the next phase in their development as a band. Having releasing the albumNo News Is Good News in 2001. The band made two records as this line-up, 2002's Trading My Life EP and 2004's Demons LP. The band members were dealt a blow when their equipment was stolen, forcing them to cancel the remainder of their tour. A donation from the Music Cares foundation allowed them to start touring again, but they had lost the momentum they had built since the album's release. Matt Smith wasn't able to juggle duties between Liars Academy and Strike Anywhere due to the rise in popularity of the latter band, and Fred Fritz replaced him. Tanner left in the fall of 2004, with Eric Fauver replacing him on drums. After a year of playing as this line-up, Liars Academy split up in May 2005. A slightly modified version of Liars Academy continued to perform under the name Midnight Revival. The group consisted of Ryan Shelkett, Fred Fritz, Eric Fauver and Nick Barkley on bass. Chris Camden spent time playing bass in Firebird Band during this time. In late 2006 they decided to restart Liars Academy, and appeared as a five-piece with the addition of Bryan Elliott as an additional guitarist, but the reunion was brief. This line up, however, recorded two songs for a 7" on Goodwill which came out in 2007. In December 2012, Liars Academy reunited for one show with Strike Anywhere at The Ottobar, Baltimore for former roadie Tony Pence's 40th Birthday Celebration. Drummer Eric Fauver died on June 2, 2015.
Post Liars Academy Projects
Evan Tanner is currently the drummer of War on Women. Eric Fauver was the drummer of Beasts Of No Nation, and Final Conflict, as well as the bassist of Iron Cross before his death in 2015. Ryan Shelkett formed Desert Boys following the hiatus of Liars Academy. He is currently performing as a solo artist. Matt Smith is currently the guitarist of Senses Fail and Strike Anywhere.
