After quickly establishing themselves in the local Aberdeen music scene, they travelled for shows in New York and Los Angeles in spring 2003, eventually basing themselves in the latter that summer, after being signed to A&M Records.

In 2009, he formed yet another rock and alternative pop band called Lotus Crush with Candlebox members Peter Klett and Scott Mercado (who met McDermott when Driveblind supported Candlebox in 2006) MIGGS member John Luzzi, and Second Coming bassist, Johnny Bacolas.

The line up (entirely New Orleans–based) include Americans David Rosser (Afghan Whigs, Twilight Singers, Gutter Twins, Northsouth), Eric Bolivar (Anders Osbourne, Eric Burden & The Animals) and British bass player Alex Smith (World Leader Pretend, Rotary Down).

The Bonfires completed a summer UK tour, releasing Palmetto Heights on Scottish independent label Fat Hippy Records, before returning for headline shows in Scotland in December.

McDermott was also a guest of his favourite Scottish football team Aberdeen FC in December, making an appearance on the pitch prior to the side's game against Ross County.

The music video for the album's first single "Hearts And Minds" features actor C. Thomas Howell (Red Dawn, Soul Man, The Outsiders, E.T, The Hitcher) as the narratives villain.

During the Battle Rounds, McDermott performed the Kansas song "Carry On Wayward Son", with country singer Casey Muessigmann.