Spawned from the muddy depths of the Puget Sound, Devil on a Leash formed in late 2009 when guitarist Ben Stephan joined with the remaining members of Tacoma-area band, the Shadow Puppets (Jake Nist: bass, vocals, Jeremy Kuntz:drums, Tyson Olsen:guitars, and John "Spud" Bergo).

The band played their first show as a headliner at the world famous Bob's Java Jive in March 2010. Their early gigs featured a wide array of covers and Shadow Puppets originals. DoaL quickly moved up to playing some of the top venues in Tacoma including Hell's Kitchen, Jazzbones, the 4th Ave. Tavern, Mandolin Cafe, and The Backstage.

The music of Devil on a Leash is as diverse as the band's many influences. Songs like "Take It All", "Solitude", and "Steal Temple" invoke the straight-ahead heavy sound of 70s and 80s hard rock. "Safe Word" and "The Hatter" display the bands more atmospheric and experimental influences, while "The Win" and "Year's End" demonstrate their pop sensibilities.

In October of 2012 Devil On A Leash will release their debut full-length album, Puppet Shadows. Puppet Shadows was recorded and mixed by Conrad Uno of Egg Studios (Presidents of the United States of America, Supersuckers, Mudhoney). The album represents a collective of 10 songs that span the far reaches of the rock genre from indie/garage pop to psychedelic and hard rock.