Psychedelic pop combo
Guards came together after
Richie James Follin of the band
Willowz began writing and recording with his sister Madeline Follin's band,
Cults, as a side project between tours. In 2010, after receiving booking offers from songs he'd posted online, he formed a permanent lineup to join his vocals and guitar in Kaylie Church on keyboards/vocals and
Loren Humphrey, also of
Willowz, on drums. The same year, they signed with 3 Syllables Records and released an eponymous debut EP. After working on new material, the band released the song "Silver Lining" in 2012, and it was soon licensed for a U.S. collegiate Big Ten Conference public service ad. Loaded with reverb and big choruses, their debut LP,
In Guards We Trust, was released in early 2013 on Black Bell Records. In late 2014, they released the lush "Nothing More" off their sophomore album expected in 2015. ~ Marcy Donelson