Last Dinosaurs

Australian indie rock band

Not to be confused with Denver, the Last Dinosaur.

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Last Dinosaurs

Last Dinosaurs in Bangkok, 2013

Background information
Origin| Brisbane, Australia
Genres|

* Indie rock
* indie pop
* dance-punk
* alternative rock
* synthpop
* shoegaze
* city pop
* nu-disco

Years active| 2007 (2007)—present
Labels| Dew Process, Universal Music, Fiction
Members|

* Sean Caskey
* Lachlan Caskey
* Michael Sloane

Past members|

* Sam Gethin-Jones
* Dan Koyama

Website| lastdinosaurs.com

Last Dinosaurs is an Australian indie rock band from Brisbane, Queensland,[3] Australia who formed in 2007. The band consists of Sean Caskey and Lachlan Caskey, both of whom are lead vocalists and guitarists, and bassist Michael Sloane.[4] The Caskey brothers are of Japanese descent.[5]

The band's debut 2010 EP, Back From The Dead[6] and subsequent 2012 debut studio album, In A Million Years, received critical praise from Australian media critics, including Triple J.[7][8] The band is currently signed to independent label Dew Process in Australia and Fiction Records in the UK. Internationally, Last Dinosaurs distributes through Universal Music Group.

On 28 August 2015, Last Dinosaurs released their second album, Wellness. On 5 October 2018, the band released their third album, Yumeno Garden. On 4 November 2022, they released their fourth album, From Mexico With Love. On 21 May 2024, they released their fifth album, KYORYU.

## History

[edit]

### Formation: 2007–2009

[edit]

In 2007, Sean Caskey and former drummer Dan Koyama met during high school, starting a band called "The Cairos"[9] that would later become Last Dinosaurs. Soon afterwards, Sean's younger brother, Lachlan Caskey, joined the band as lead guitarist. Sam Gethin-Jones also joined as their bassist.

The band is named after the song "Last Dinosaur" by the Japanese rock band, The Pillows.[10]

### Back From The Dead: 2009–2010

[edit]

After launching their debut extended-play in 2010, the band found success after posting their demo to the Triple J Unearthed project.[11] Not long after, they were interviewed by radio DJ Zan Rowe. The hit track "Honolulu" from Back from the Dead was placed on high rotation on national broadcaster Triple J, giving the band significant traction. They were invited to play at music festivals including Splendour in the Grass, the Laneway Festival, the Falls Festival and Southbound,[12] and supported bands such as Foals, Matt & Kim, Lost Valentinos and Foster the People.[13]

### In A Million Years: 2011–2012

[edit]

In[14] early 2011, the band announced that they planned to record 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.[15] The album In A Million Years was released on 2 March 2012. The album made an Australian Top 10 Debut,[16] ranking eighth on the Australian Albums Chart and number 2 on the digital album charts. The band completed a sold-out national tour in Australia, going on to tour in the UK and Europe. They later released the album in the UK in September 2012.[17]

### Wellness: 2013–2015

[edit]

On 23 July 2013, Sam Gethin-Jones announced that he was leaving the band in order to pursue a different musical sound and personal pathway.[18] Beginning with their South African tour in September 2013, Michael Sloane toured with Last Dinosaurs, substituting as bass player and providing backing vocals. Sloane had previously worked with the band as a bassist and music video director for "Zoom," "Time and Place," and "Andy." On 28 January 2014, Last Dinosaurs officially announced that Michael had returned as a full-time bassist.[19]

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. Recording occurred at The Grove Studios near Gosford, New South Wales.

Wellness was released internationally on 26 August 2015. The album featured all new songs except "Zero" and "Stream," which the band debuted live while touring in 2013.[20][21] Wellness debuted at number 18 in the Australian ARIA Charts.[22]

The Wellness tour was completed from 15 September 2015 to 18 October 2015.[23] In 2016, they completed the "Miracle Methods" tour, which was exclusive to Australia. [24]

### Yumeno Garden: 2018–2019

[edit]

On 20 February 2018, Last Dinosaurs released their first new single, "Dominos," and two corresponding music videos. "Eleven," the second single, was released on 4 July 2018. Soon after, a music video for "Eleven" was uploaded on 30 July 2018. On 5 October 2018, the band's self-produced third album, Yumeno Garden, was released. During an interview that took place after the album's release, it was clarified that Dan Koyama was no longer a part of the band.[25]

On 24 April 2019, Last Dinosaurs announced a European tour, playing them in late November. Shortly after completing their first US tour in the spring, they announced they would return to more US cities in October/November 2019.

### Standalone Singles: 2019-2020

[edit]

On 30 September 2019, Last Dinosaurs released a new single titled "FMU" before beginning their US/EU tour, premiering it 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 to the tense relationship between Hong Kong and China.

On 17 April 2020, the band released another single titled "Flying," which was initially a demo from Lachlan's SoundCloud. The song is a departure from their usual indie rock sound, gearing more towards house music and nu-disco.[26]

### From Mexico With Love: 2022

[edit]

On 11 February 2022, the band released their first single for the LP, "Collect Call."[27] They proceeded to release, in the succeeding months, five more singles including "Look Back" on 25 March, "CDMX" on 5 May, "The Hating" on 23 June, "Auto-Sabotage" on 4 August, and "Put Up With The Weather!" on 15 September. [28][29] From Mexico With Love released in full on 4 November 2022.

The album was written by Lachlan Caskey in Mexico where he was quarantined during COVID-19. He cited the country as being a site of inspiration. The band and James Agnus co-produced the LP once Lachlan returned to Australia, where he was recorded as the album's lead vocalist.[30][31]

### KYORYU: 2023-2024

[edit]

On 10 November 2023, they released the EP RYU, containing the singles "Afterlife" (released 1 September 2023),[32] and "Walking on Ice" (released 6 October 2023). On 11 January 2024, "N.P.D" and its music video was released as the first single for the companion EP, KYO. The second single and music video, "Keys To Your Civic" was released on 23 February 2024. KYO released on the 5th of April 2024, and the complete LP project of KYORYU was released 21 May 2024. There were published companion manga releases for each half of the album. [33]

KYORYU has been characterized by both Caskeys as being a concept album focused in a dystopian future with AI satellites and outer space exploration.[34][35] The EP titles, RYU and KYO, are shortened versions of their Japanese middle names: "Ryusuke" for Sean, and "Kyohei" for Lachlan. When their names are placed together, KYORYU translates to dinosaur in Japanese, which Lachlan stated in an interview was just "a coincidence."[35]

## Members

[edit]

Current

* Sean Caskey – lead and backup vocals, rhythm and lead guitar (2007–Present)
* Lachlan Caskey – lead and backup vocals, rhythm and lead guitar (2007–Present)
* Michael Sloane – bass (2007, 2013–Present)

Touring

* Alistar Richardson – drums (2019)
* Finn Polbodetto – drums (2022)
* Jasper Gundersen – drums (2023)

Former

* Sam Gethin-Jones – bass (2007–2013)
* Dan Koyama – drums (2007–2018)[25]

## Discography

[edit]

### Studio Albums

[edit]

Title  | Album details  | Peak chart positions

|
|

AUS
[36]
In A Million Years |

* Release date: 2 March 2012
* Format: CD, LP, digital download
* Label: Dew Process/Universal Music Australia

| 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
From Mexico With Love |

* Release date: 4 November 2022[29]
* Format: LP, digital download, streaming
* Label: Nettwerk

KYORYU |

* Release date: 21 May 2024
* Format: LP, digital download, streaming
* Label: Nettwerk

### Extended Plays

[edit]

Title  | Extended play details

|

Back From The Dead |

* Release date: March 2010[37][38]
* Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
* Label: Dew Process/Universal Music Australia

Last Dinosaurs on Audiotree Live[39] |

* Release date: December 2019[40]
* Format: digital download, streaming
* Label: Audiotree Live

RYU |

* Release date: 10 November 2023
* Format: digital download, streaming
* Label: Nettwerk

KYO |

* Release date: 5 April 2024
* Format: digital download, streaming
* Label: Nettwerk

### Singles

[edit]

Year  | Single  | Album

|
|

2009  | "As Far As You're Concerned"[41] | Back From The Dead
2010  | "Honolulu"[42]
2011  | "Thousands of Years"[43] | Time & Place
"Time & Place"[44] | In A Million Years
"Zoom"[45]
2015  | "Evie"[46] | Wellness
"Apollo"[47]
2018  | "Dominos"[48] | Yumeno Garden
"Eleven"[49]
2019  | "FMU"[50] | Non-album singles
2020  | "Flying"[51]
2022  | "Collect Call"[52] | From Mexico With Love
"Look Back"[28]
"CDMX"[53]
"The Hating"[54]
"Auto-Sabotage"[55]
"Put Up With the Weather!"[56]
2023  | "Afterlife"[32] | RYU
"Walking On Ice"
2024  | "N.P.D."  | KYO
"Keys To Your Civic"

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

### APRA Awards

[edit]

The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". They commenced in 1982.[57]

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

2012 | "Zoom" (Sean Caskey / Lachlan Caskey / Samuel Gethin-Jones / Dan Koyama)  | Song of the Year  | Shortlisted  | [58]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ porter robinson [@porterrobinson] (4 June 2014). "（ｔｒａｃｋ ０３） years of war (ft. @breanneduren and @lastdinosaurs' sean caskey)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
2. ^ Kelly, Alexander (26 August 2015). "Interview: Last Dinosaurs". Best Before. Archived from the original on 27 August 2015. 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. ^ "Last Dinosaurs take us to Japan, where they recorded their new album". PILERATS. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
6. ^ Needs an update citation.
7. ^ "Triple J Unearthed – Last Dinosaurs". Triple J Unearthed. 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
8. ^ Johann Ponniah (13 July 2009). "Last Dinosaurs Review". WhoTheHell.net. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
9. ^ https://www.facebook.com/lastdinosaurs/photos/back-in-high-school-dan-and-i-were-in-a-band-called-the-cairos-this-was-our-firs/10153738429396413/ [bare URL]
10. ^ "Gimme Your Answers: An Interview w/ Last Dinosaurs – Alicia Atout". Amusicblogyea.com. 17 March 2013.
11. ^ Strachan, Alex (16 March 2011), "Dinosaurs sticking their necks out", The Ballarat Courier
12. ^ Jamali, Dellaram (17 March 2011), "LAST Dinosaurs takes its songwriting seriously.", The Ballarat Courier
13. ^ Need sources.
14. ^ Needs a citation.
15. ^ "Last Dinosaurs Tumblr". Last Dinosaurs. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
16. ^ "ABC Radio Australia". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 October 2023.
17. ^ "Last Dinosaurs Sell Out Melbourne & Announce UK And European Dates". Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
18. ^ Newstead, Al (23 July 2013). "Last Dinosaurs Bassist Quits". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
19. ^ Last Dinosaurs. "Michael Sloane now part of Last Dinosaurs". Retrieved 4 February 2014 – via Facebook.
20. ^ "Exclusive: New Last Dinosaurs Track". indie-n summer. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
21. ^ "Zero" has been mistakenly referred to as "Losing Control" which it was provisionally named.
22. ^ 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.
23. ^ "Last Dinosaurs". LAST DINOSAURS. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
24. ^ "Last Dinosaurs Announce the Australian "Miracle Methods Tour"". Digital Tour Bus. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
25. ^ a b "Talking with The Last Dinosaurs". gcmag.com.au. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
26. ^ "Last Dinosaurs release new single and video 'Flying'". NME. 16 April 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
27. ^ Gallagher, Alex (11 February 2022). "Last Dinosaurs return with new single 'Collect Call'". NME. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
28. ^ a b "Flaunt Premiere: Take A Look Into Last Dinosaurs' World". Flaunt. 24 March 2022. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
29. ^ a b Major, Michael (26 May 2022). "Indie-Rock Trio Last Dinosaurs Announce New Album From Mexico with Love". Broadway World. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
30. ^ Ordonez, Eli (4 November 2022). "Last Dinosaurs release new album 'From Mexico With Love'". NME. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
31. ^ Major, Michael. "Indie-Rock Trio Last Dinosaurs Announce New Album 'From Mexico With Love'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
32. ^ a b "Afterlife". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
33. ^ https://www.lastdinosaurs.com/kyoryumanga [bare URL]
34. ^ https://www.ramblemag.com/interviews/last-dinosaurs-talk-about-their-latest-ai-inspired-ep-ryu-and-how-they-never-try-to-limit-themselves-when-it-comes-to-creativity [bare URL]
35. ^ a b "Interview: Last Dinosaurs Release New Album 'KYO' With Correlating Manga". Tower Records. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
36. ^ "Last Dinosaurs at Australian Charts". Australian charts. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
37. ^ Polson, James (19 March 2010), "Back From The Dead review", The Sydney Morning Herald
38. ^ Dengate, Cayla (11 March 2010), "Spinning Around", MX (Australia)
39. ^ Last Dinosaurs on Audiotree Live, 17 December 2019, retrieved 12 November 2022
40. ^ "Last Dinosaurs on Audiotree Live". Apple Music. December 2019. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
41. ^ "As Far as You're Concerned – single". Apple Music. 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
42. ^ Honolulu, 1 January 2010, retrieved 12 November 2022
43. ^ Last Dinosaurs – Time & Place, retrieved 12 November 2022
44. ^ Time & Place, 1 January 2011, retrieved 12 November 2022
45. ^ "Zoom – single". Apple Music. October 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
46. ^ "Evie – single". Apple Music. May 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
47. ^ ""Apollo"- single". Apple Music. July 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
48. ^ "Dominos – single". Apple Music. February 2018. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
49. ^ "Eleven – single". Apple Music. July 2018. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
50. ^ "FMU – single". Apple Music. October 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
51. ^ "flying – single". Apple Music. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
52. ^ Collect Call, 4 November 2022, retrieved 8 February 2023
53. ^ "CDMX – single". Apple Music. 5 May 2022. Archived from the original on 10 May 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
54. ^ The Hating, 24 June 2022, retrieved 12 November 2022
55. ^ Auto-Sabotage, 5 August 2022, retrieved 12 November 2022
56. ^ Put Up with the Weather!, 16 September 2022, retrieved 12 November 2022
57. ^ "APRA History". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). Retrieved 25 April 2022.
58. ^ "APRA Announce Star-Studded Song of the Year Top 30". Noise11. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI

Artists|

* MusicBrainz

*[Ref.]: Reference