DARE, the Manchester Melodic Rock act centred on former THIN LIZZY keyboard player Darren Wharton and the extraordinary guitar talents of former MORGAN'S WAY and JAILBAIT man VINNY BURNS, formed in 1986. Whilst the original line-up featured ex-STATETROOPER drummer Eddie Stratton, his tenure was shortlived and within a few months ex-FRONTIER drummer James Ross had joined the fold.

DARE picked up both management and a deal with A&M Records through showcase gigs and quickly set to work on their debut album. 'Out Of The Silence', the first release, received highly commendable reviews and DARE hit the road, touring as support to JIMMY PAGE, EUROPE and GARY MOORE. In Sweden the album entered the charts on no less than three occasions.

James Ross quit DARE to form BLUE STEAL and subsequently GONE SAVAGE with erstwhile SAM THUNDER vocalist Will Glover. GONE SAVAGE's first demo features guitar contributions from Vinny Burns. By the time DARE's second album came to be recorded the band had recruited an entirely new rhythm section featuring bassist Nigel Clutterbuck and drummer Greg Morgan.

DARE's second record, eventually emerging in 1991, 'Blood From A Stone', was produced by the esteemed Keith Olsen and saw DARE taking a rockier direction than its predecessor. DARE had amassed quite a healthy fan following and repute but luck was not on the band's side. The group split later in the year 1991 after being dropped by A&M.

Vinny Burns quickly assembled a new band, SCREAMCHILD, together with vocalist Bryn Williams, bassist Stuart Thomas and drummer Nick Sinton, but this was shortlived and the guitarist was to join ASIA, replacing Al Pitrelli. Darren Wharton attempted to revive the DARE name in mid 1992, recruiting guitarist Richard Dews, bassist Clutterbuck and drummer Morgan, but this revised concoction managed only a handful of British club dates before going their seperate ways.

In 1995 Vinnie Burns formed TEN together with noted vocalist Gary Hughes and an ex-DARE rhythm section bassist Shelley and drummer Geoff Morgan, since releasing a string of albums through Now And Then, although the bulk of the group's support stems from Japan and Germany.

Darren Wharton refused to let the minor legend that was DARE die and re-emerged in early 1998 with a brand new album, 'Calm Before The Storm', issued through new label MTM Music.

Wharton's musician's for the album included guitarists Richard Dews and Andy Moore together with bassist Martin Wilding. Following the album's release Wilding was replaced by Brian Drawbridge and DARE was brought up to strength with keyboard player Simon Gardner and drummer Julian Gardner.

Wharton went back on the road with THIN LIZZY during 1999 (appearing on the 2000 'One Night Only' live album) although a new DARE album was also under way. The resulting 'Belief' album, which saw Wharton retaining the services of the Gardner brothers, Dews and Moore, arrived in the autumn of 2001 and continued the trend of slick mellow melodic Rock as evidenced by its predecessor. DARE would put in a headline tour of Europe during March of 2002 supported by WICKED SENSATION and DREAMTIDE. The band would spend much of 2003 recording a new studio album 'Beneath The Shining Water' for MTM Music.

DARE's show at the 2004 'Deep Impact' open air event in Munich, Germany would be filmed for DVD release. Fittingly titled, due to the entire event being subjected to a torrential downpour, the DVD and live album would be billed 'Power Of Nature'. Meantime, former DARE drummer Greg Morgan returned to the scene with VOODOO CIRCUS.

August 20th 2005 saw The Roisin Dubh Trust unveiling a life size bronze statue of Wharton's mentor PHIL LYNOTT in Grafton Street, Dublin. To coincide, an all-star concert billed as 'The Boy Is Back In Town' would be held at The Point in Dublin. Performers alongside the DARE included THIN LIZZY compatriots GARY MOORE, ERIC BELL BAND, Scott Gorham, Brian Robertson, Brian Downey, Brush Shiels plus WHEATUS and THERAPY?

DARE reunited with guitarist Vinny Burns to perform at the 'Sweden Rock' festival in June 2008.