Staring at Strange is fronted by Kelly Eismann, who was classically trained and is said to have a three-octave range. She sang with her father’s jazz groups before making her way through various punk and metal bands.

Eismann and guitarist Chris Jahnkow formed Staring at Strange in 2004. According to the band's MySpace page, "Jahnkow, a veteran of the San Diego music scene and accomplished studio player, blends shred, prog, thrash, and death metal influences into a unique and aggressive guitar style."

Drummer Gavin “Kang” Haswell - who'd been in other bands with Jahnkow - joined in 2006. Bassist Rob Griffin, according to his friends, brings "the world's toughest liver" to the bar.