To My Surprise

To My Surprise
The last active incarnation of the band. From left to right: Paul Thompson, Steven Robinson, Shawn Crahan, Dorothy Hecht, Wade Thompson, Jarrod Brom
Background information
Origin	Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Genres	Experimental rock, alternative rock, indie rock
Years active	2002–2006
Labels	Roadrunner Records, Big Orange Clown Records
Past members	Dorothy Hecht Jarrod Brom Paul Thompson Wade Thompson Shawn Crahan Stevan Robinson Brandon Darner

To My Surprise was an American experimental rock band formed in 2002 in Des Moines, Iowa. They are referred to as a side project of Shawn Crahan, a member/founder of metal band Slipknot. In 2003 they released their debut album To My Surprise, however after losing frontman Brandon Darner in 2004 they parted ways with their record label. 2005 saw four new members join the band to begin work on a second album and in 2006 they began performing shows in the US. However, shortly after To My Surprise canceled several upcoming appearances and disbanded without releasing a second album.

In June 2002, Shawn Crahan, Brandon Darner and Steven Robinson began working on an album together. During an interview with MTV in 2003 Crahan explained; "I've been keeping in touch with the music side of myself," and that To My Surprise is "a movement towards understanding [himself] and who [he is]." Two songs that Crahan and Darner wrote in 2002 were sent to producer Rick Rubin, without the intent of working with him. However, Rubin invited the band to Cello Studios in Los Angeles to work on an album. On October 7, 2003, the band released their debut album To My Surprise through Roadrunner Records. A music video for the track "In The Mood" premiered on MTV's Extreme show on December 1. In 2004 "Get It To Go" featured on the soundtrack for the video game MVP Baseball 2004. Also in 2004, Crahan began working with Slipknot again in preparation of the release of their third album. At this time vocalist Darner was—as Crahan describes it—"at an age where he was ready to start his career" but Crahan had other commitments with Slipknot and Darner decided to leave To My Surprise. Shortly after this, with only releasing one album by the band, Roadrunner Records parted ways with To My Surprise.