Last Dinosaurs

Last Dinosaurs are an Australian indie rock band from Brisbane, Queensland.[3] The band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Sean Caskey, lead guitarist Lachlan Caskey, bass guitarist Michael Sloane, and drummer Dan Koyama.[4] Koyama and the Caskey brothers are all of Japanese descent, and the band have toured and frequently make visits to Japan.

Last Dinosaurs
Last Dinosaurs in Bangkok, 2013
Background information
OriginBrisbane, Australia
GenresIndie rock, dance-punk, alternative rock, synthpop
Years active2009 (2009)—present
LabelsDew Process, Universal Music, Fiction
Associated actsThe Cairos, Millions, Porter Robinson,[1] Charles Murdoch[2]
Websitelastdinosaurs.com
MembersLachlan Caskey
Sean Caskey
Dan Koyama
Michael Sloane
Past membersSam Gethin-Jones

The band's debut EP Back from the Dead in 2010[5] and subsequent debut studio album In a Million Years in 2012 received critical praise by Australian media critics including the likes of Triple J,[6] among others.[7] The band is currently signed in Australia to independent label Dew Process, and in the UK are signed to Fiction Records. Internationally, Last Dinosaurs distributes through Universal Music Group.

On 28 August 2015, Last Dinosaurs released their second album Wellness. The album's release was preceded by singles "Evie" and "Apollo".

On 5 October 2018, the band released their third album, titled Yumeno Garden.

The band is named after the song "Last Dinosaur" by the Japanese rock band The Pillows.[8]

History

Formation and early days (2007–2009)

In 2007, frontman Sean Caskey and drummer Dan Koyama met during high school and developed a strong interest in music. Soon afterward, Sean's younger brother Lachlan joined the band as lead guitarist. Sam Gethin-Jones, who was already a talented drummer in the Brisbane music scene, tried his hand at bass and completed the original Last Dinosaurs quartet. Prior to Sam leaving the band in 2013, the Last Dinosaurs were 3/8 Japanese and 1/4 Jewish.

Early success and Back from the Dead (2009–2011)

After launching their debut extended-play in 2010, the band first found success after posting their demo to the Triple J Unearthed project.[9] Not long after, they were interviewed by radio DJ Zan Rowe. Hit track "Honolulu" from Back from the Dead was placed on high rotation on national broadcaster Triple J, quickly gaining the band recognition in the music community.[10] With their name popping up in music publications, blogs, and gaining fans through the airing of their songs on Triple J, the band was invited to play at mainstream music festivals including Splendour in the Grass, the Laneway Festival, the Falls Festival and Southbound,[11] and have supported bands such as Foals, Matt & Kim, Lost Valentinos and Foster the People.

In a Million Years (2011–2013)

In early 2011 the band announced that they had been planning on recording their debut album after their "Back from the Dead" tour in mid-2010. In June 2011 the band started a Tumblr blog narrating their recording process for the album with producer Jean-Paul Fung at BJB Studios in Sydney, Australia.[12] The album entitled as In a Million Years was released on 2 March 2012. The album made an Australian Top 10 Debut[13] and managed to get to number 8 on the Australian Albums Chart and number 2 on the digital album charts. The band completed the sold out Million Years national tour, with multiple shows in many cities due to ticket demand. The band then completed a tour of the UK and Europe, and later released the album in the UK in September 2012.[14]

Wellness (2013–2018)

After the release of their debut album in 2012, Last Dinosaurs experienced a number of changes that have not affected the band in any significant way. Despite these changes however, various new opportunities for the band arose through 2013 and 2014, and Last Dinosaurs continued with plans to release a follow-up album to In a Million Years.

On 23 July 2013, Sam Gethin-Jones posted a statement on the band's Facebook page formally announcing that he was leaving the band.[15] "For the band to move forward in the strongest way possible it is best that we part ways now," he said. Although he did not give a clear explanation as to why he was leaving, he ensured fans that he wasn't leaving music altogether, and his departure was the start of a "different pathway [for him] to follow." He thanked fans, and assured that there was no bad blood between the four.

On 13 October 2013, Last Dinosaurs officially announced through Twitter that the band had begun writing their second album.[16]

As a result of Gethin-Jones' departure from Last Dinosaurs, the band had lost its bass guitarist, leaving a major gap in the quartet's lineup. Beginning with Last Dinosaurs' South African tour in September 2013, Michael Sloane toured with the band substituting as bass player and providing backing vocals. A friend of the band, Sloane was the band's original bassist and had previously worked with the band numerous times directing the music videos for "Zoom", "Time and Place", and "Andy". On 28 January 2014, Last Dinosaurs officially announced that after four months of being with the band, Michael had officially returned and joined on as bassist.[17]

After a several months-long break from touring internationally through South Africa and Asia, Last Dinosaurs completed writing for their next album and were finally ready to record. In late November and early December 2014, Last Dinosaurs announced via Facebook and Twitter that the band was set to commence recording of their unnamed new album on 3 December 2014. As of 20 March 2015, Last Dinosaurs were working on Wellness at The Grove Studios near Gosford, New South Wales. The band posted photos and updates to social media and their website through the production process.

In response to a question via Twitter, Last Dinosaurs' manager noted on 7 April 2015 that the band's first single from their upcoming album would be tentatively released in about five weeks; indicating a May 2015 release.[18]

On 1 May 2015, Last Dinosaurs released "Evie", the first single from their upcoming second album Wellness. "Evie" was premiered by Linda Marigliano on Triple J's "Good Nights" program on 30 April 2015.

The second single "Apollo" was also premiered by Marigliano on Triple J's Good Nights program on 15 July 2015 along with the announcement of Last Dinosaurs' second album Wellness.

Wellness was released internationally on 28 August 2015. The album features all new songs except "Zero" and "Stream" which the band debuted live while touring in 2013.[19][20] Wellness debuted at number 18 in the Australian ARIA Charts, ten spots lower than In a Million Years reached.[21]

Last Dinosaurs then went on their Wellness tour,[22] their first show being on 15 September 2015, and their final one being on 18 October 2015. They showcased their songs in the Wellness album on the tour.

The Last Dinosaurs also went on the Australia-exclusive tour, Miracle Methods.[23] The tour brought them to Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.

"Dominos", "Eleven" and Yumeno Garden (2018–present)

On 20 February 2018, Last Dinosaurs Released their first single accompanied by a music video, "Dominos", was the beginning of their new era. The video was captured at their release party for the single, expressing intense emotions with both the crowd and the band. They later released "Eleven" alongside "Dominos", on 4 July 2018. Soon after, a music video for "Eleven" was uploaded on 30 July 2018.

On 5 October 2018, the band's third album, Yumeno Garden, was released, having been preceded by the singles "Dominos" and "Eleven". There was an album launch party held that night, where Last Dinosaurs showcased their brand new album. This third album was the band's first ever full creation that was entirely do-it-yourself, as they took it upon themselves to write, mix, and produce the songs single-handedly.

On 24 April 2019, Last Dinosaurs announced a European tour, playing them in late November. Shortly after completing their first USA tour in the spring, they announced that they would be returning to more U.S. cities in October/November 2019.

"FMU"

On 30 September 2019, Last Dinosaurs released a new single titled "FMU" just before they left to embark on their lengthy US/EU tour. This song was premiered on Triple J's "Good Nights" show, with Ebony Boadu. It has been spoken of several times in interviews that the meaning of the song's lyrics relates back to the tense relationship between Hong Kong and China.

Band members

Discography

Studio albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
[24]
In a Million Years 8
Wellness
  • Release date: 28 August 2015
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
  • Label: Dew Process/Universal Music Australia
 18
Yumeno Garden
  • Release date: 5 October 2018
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
  • Label: Dew Process/Universal Music Australia
 26

Extended plays
Title Extended play details
Back from the Dead
  • Release date: March 2010[25][26]
  • Format: CD, digital download
  • Label: Dew Process/Universal Music Australia
Last Dinosaurs on Audiotree Live
  • Release date: December 2019[27]
  • Format: digital download, streaming
  • Label: Audiotree Live

Singles
Year Single Album
2009 "As Far as You're Concerned"[28] Back from the Dead
2010 "Honolulu"
2011 "Time & Place" In a Million Years
"Zoom"[29]
2012 "Andy"
"I Can't Help You"
2013 "Weekend"
2015 "Evie"[30] Wellness
"Apollo"[31]
2018 "Dominos"[32] Yumeno Garden
"Eleven"[33]
"Bass God"
2019 "Italo Disco"[34]
"FMU"[35] to be confirmed
2020 "Flying"[36]
gollark: I bought 300g of mixed factory seconds ages ago.
gollark: I have enough dice.
gollark: I could make multiplayer infinitely large multidimensional tic-tac-toe.
gollark: In general.
gollark: I do not want to.

References
  1. porter robinson [@porterrobinson] (4 June 2014). "（ｔｒａｃｋ ０３） years of war (ft. @breanneduren and @lastdinosaurs' sean caskey)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. Kelly, Alexander. "INTERVIEW: LAST DINOSAURS". Best Before. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  3. Beaumont, Anita (31 March 2011). "Dinosaurs seize the day". The Newcastle Herald.
  4. Nikolic, Dina (2 April 2011). "Nothing prehistoric about Dinosaurs' act". Sunshine Coast Daily.
  5. "Fame will not change them", Noosa News, 15 March 2011
  6. "Triple J Unearthed - Last Dinosaurs". Triple J Unearthed. 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  7. Johann Ponniah (13 July 2009). "Last Dinosaurs Review". WhoTheHell.net. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  8. "Gimme Your Answers: An Interview w/ Last Dinosaurs – Alicia Atout". Amusicblogyea.com.
  9. Strachan, Alex (16 March 2011), "Dinosaurs sticking their necks out", The Ballarat Courier
  10. "Habit for success", The Canberra Times, 31 March 2011
  11. Jamali, Dellaram (17 March 2011), "LAST Dinosaurs takes its songwriting seriously.", The Ballarat Courier
  12. "Last Dinosaurs Tumblr". Last Dinosaurs. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  13. "ABC Radio Australia". Abc.net.au.
  14. "LAST DINOSAURS SELL OUT MELBOURNE & ANNOUNCE UK AND EUROPEAN DATES". Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  15. "Last Dinosaurs". Facebook.com.
  16. Last Dinosaurs [@lastdinosaurs] (14 October 2013). "Just letting everyone know. We are working on our next album 24/7. We are striving for excellence!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  17. Last Dinosaurs. "Michael Sloane now part of Last Dinosaurs". Facebook.com. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  18. Stu McCullough [@stumccullough] (7 April 2015). "@thejayfrancis2 first single is 5 weeks away" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. "Exclusive: New Last Dinosaurs Track". indie-n summer. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  20. "Zero" has been mistakenly referred to as "Losing Control" which it was provisionally named.
  21. Charts, ARIA (6 September 2015). "Justin Bieber makes #1 debut with 'What Do You Mean'". ARIA Charts. Archived from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  22. "LAST DINOSAURS". LAST DINOSAURS. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  23. "LAST DINOSAURS". LAST DINOSAURS. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  24. "Last Dinosaurs at Australian Charts". Australian charts. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  25. Polson, James (19 March 2010), "Back From The Dead review", The Sydney Morning Herald
  26. Dengate, Cayla (11 March 2010), "Spinning Around", MX (Australia)
  27. "Last Dinosaurs on Audiotree Live". Apple Music. December 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  28. "As Far as You're Concerned - single". Apple Music. 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  29. "Zoom - single". Apple Music. October 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  30. "Evie - single". Apple Music. May 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  31. ""Apollo"- single". Apple Music. July 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  32. "Dominos - single". Apple Music. February 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  33. "Eleven - single". Apple Music. July 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  34. "Last Dinosaurs Italo Disco (Official VIdeo)". YouTubeaccessdate=18 April 2020.
  35. "FMU - single". Apple Music. October 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  36. "flying - single". Apple Music. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.