When teen rock band Mariscal was founded in 2012, brothers Eric and Carlos Mariscal, 12 and 14 years old respectively, were members of Staump Music School’s Rock University program, with whom they played at the Whisky A Go-Go in L.A. on August 28, 2011.

With Eric on vocals and guitar, Carlos on drums, and 12 year-old Tyler Heredia on bass and vocals, the band began by playing pop-punk and hard rock originals and covers.

For their debut gig on April 7, 2012, at Frubble in Santee, their set list consisted of Seven Nation Army, Pieces, With Me, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, and Holiday covers, as well as originals “Abandoned Cities” and “Mariscal Jam.”

Rhythm guitarist Kyle Adams joined the band in March 2013, and bassist Tyler Luton replaced Tyler Heredia in March 2014, with all four players attending Granite Hills High School.

In May 2014, the group won a battle of the bands competition at Granite Hills High School's 1st Annual BOTB sponsored by Guitar Center.