Acclaimed rock quartet, Trophy Scars, are bringing their first European tour to Oxford this week.

The experimental rock group from Morristown, New Jersey, is playing the Oxford O2 Academy on December 17, supporting acclaimed new duo, The ‘68.

Trophy Scars consists of vocalist Jerry Jones, John Ferrara on guitar, bass player Andy Farrel and Brian Ferrara on drums.

The band was born in 2002, and they first gained widespread attention with the release of their ‘Hospital Music for the Aesthetics of Language’ EP in 2004.

Their numerous successful tours and shows have since earned them a reputation as a live act who gives everything in all their performances.

Four albums and four EPs later, including their latest album Holy Vacants, the band is bringing its first European tour to the UK, with shows in Birmingham, Plymouth and Glasgow and more.

Trophy Scars are known and loved for their darkly gripping narratives. The themes of past albums include a deep and eclectic mix of mythology, ancient religion, fantasy and conspiracy theory to name a few.

The rock band have gathered a cult following over the years, building what is possibly the most dedicated fan base you could imagine.

In 2008, the band was offered a support slot on a European tour with a high-profile UK band. A week before the tour was set to kick off; the headliner broke up.

This left Trophy Scars heavily in debt, to the extent that they were forced into an indefinite hiatus.

The fans were so distraught that they would never hear Trophy Scars next album, ‘Bad Luck’, that eventually they started emailing the band, asking if they had a PayPal account so that they could send money to the band to help keep them alive.

This act eventually became ‘The Bad Luck Foundation’, which raised enough money to enable the band to record the album, essentially saving the band.

To help the band raise funds for their latest tour, the first ever vinyl edition of their much-loved third album, ‘Bad Luck’, will be released on Monotreme Records in early 2015. The sale of the limited edition vinyl’s will go directly to the band to support their touring and recording.

Trophy Scars are performing at the Oxford O2 Academy on December 17. Tickets are priced at £10.12 and are available from www.o2academyoxford.co.uk.