The Last (band)
Encyclopedia
The Last is a Los Angeles
-based power pop
band formed in the 1970s around three brothers: Joe (guitar, vocals), Mike (vocals), and David Nolte (bass guitar). They released several albums on SST Records
and Bomp! Records
.
, surf rock, folk rock
and psychedelic rock
. The first settled line-up also included Vitus Mataré (keyboards, flute) and Jack Reynolds (drums). After three self-financed singles, the band was signed by Bomp! Records, who issued the debut album L.A. Explosion! in 1979 (described by Trouser Press
as "a near-perfect debut"). It was also issued in the UK by London Records
. They reverted to their own Backlash label for second album Look Again (1980), and split up in the mid-1980s with David Nolte joining Wednesday Week
and later Lucky, and Mataré forming Trotsky Icepick
. The band were considered a major influence on the psychedelia-influenced LA bands of the mid-1980s, including The Bangles
and The Three O'Clock
.
A collection of tracks from the band's demos and singles was issued by French label Lolita in 1985 under the title Painting Smiles On A Dead Man. The band was reformed in 1988 by Joe and Mike Nolte along with Luke Lohnes (guitar, vocals), Larry P. Manke (bass guitar), and Dave Naz
worthy (of Chemical People
) (drums). The new line-up signed to SST Records, releasing two albums in 1988 and 1989. The band went on hiatus in 1990, with Joe Nolte feeling "sort of disheartened" after the band's first national US tour (they had previously only played in California). Joe reformed the band in 1994 and another album, Gin & Innuendoes, was released in 1996, with Robbie Rist
replacing Nazworthy and Missy Buettner replacing Manke shortly after the album's release. The early '80s lineup of the band, featuring Vitus Mataré and John Frank, still performs occasionally in Southern California. In 2008, The Last completed a new album for Owned & Operated Recordings called Danger. The bassist and drummer for the sessions were Karl Alvarez
and Bill Stevenson, respectively. Alvarez and Stevenson form the rhythm sections for the bands ALL
and the Descendents
as well.
Joe and Mike Nolte have also recorded an acoustic album, Joe 'n' Mike.
David Nolte has worked as a touring bassist, working with Dave Davies
of the Kinks, David Gray
, The Wondermints
and many others.
Mataré went on to become a successful record producer
.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
-based power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
band formed in the 1970s around three brothers: Joe (guitar, vocals), Mike (vocals), and David Nolte (bass guitar). They released several albums on SST Records
SST Records
SST Records is an American independent record label formed in 1978 in Long Beach, California by musician Greg Ginn. The company was initially called Solid State Transmitters through which Ginn sold electronics equipment...
and Bomp! Records
Bomp! Records
Bomp! Records is an Los Angeles-based indie label formed in 1974 by fanzine publisher and music historian Greg Shaw.-History:The label has featured punk, pop, powerpop, garage rock, new wave, old school rock, neo-psychedelia among other genres, and its roster has included artists such as The Modern...
.
History
The Nolte brothers formed the band in 1976, and the band's sound was influenced by garage rockGarage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
, surf rock, folk rock
Folk rock
Folk rock is a musical genre combining elements of folk music and rock music. In its earliest and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and the UK around the mid-1960s...
and psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
. The first settled line-up also included Vitus Mataré (keyboards, flute) and Jack Reynolds (drums). After three self-financed singles, the band was signed by Bomp! Records, who issued the debut album L.A. Explosion! in 1979 (described by Trouser Press
Trouser Press
Trouser Press was a rock and roll magazine started in New York in 1974 as a mimeographed fanzine by editor/publisher Ira Robbins, fellow Who fan Dave Schulps and Karen Rose under the name "Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press" ...
as "a near-perfect debut"). It was also issued in the UK by London Records
London Records
London Records, referred to as London Recordings in logo, is a record label headquartered in the United Kingdom, originally marketing records in the United States, Canada and Latin America from 1947 to 1979, then becoming a semi-independent label....
. They reverted to their own Backlash label for second album Look Again (1980), and split up in the mid-1980s with David Nolte joining Wednesday Week
Wednesday Week
Wednesday Week is the seventh single released by The Undertones. The song was written in December, 1979 by the band's rhythm guitarist and principal songwriter, John O' Neill, during a Christmas break the band had taken while recording their second album, Hypnotised...
and later Lucky, and Mataré forming Trotsky Icepick
Trotsky Icepick
Trotsky Icepick were an American Indie rock band. Their active period was 1983 through 1991. During that time they released six records, all on SST Records. Members included alumni from LA indie groups The Last, Urinals Middle Class and Leaving Trains.-Trivia:*The band name refers to the type of...
. The band were considered a major influence on the psychedelia-influenced LA bands of the mid-1980s, including The Bangles
The Bangles
The Bangles are an American all-female band that originated in the early 1980s, scoring several hit singles during the decade.-Formation and early years :...
and The Three O'Clock
The Three O'Clock
The Three O'Clock were a United States alternative rock group associated with the Los Angeles 1980s Paisley Underground scene. Lead singer and bassist Michael Quercio is credited with coining the term "Paisley Underground" to describe a subset of the 1980s L.A...
.
A collection of tracks from the band's demos and singles was issued by French label Lolita in 1985 under the title Painting Smiles On A Dead Man. The band was reformed in 1988 by Joe and Mike Nolte along with Luke Lohnes (guitar, vocals), Larry P. Manke (bass guitar), and Dave Naz
Dave Naz
David F. Nazworthy, professionally known as Dave Naz is an American pornographer and erotic photographer....
worthy (of Chemical People
Chemical People
Chemical People were a punk rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1986. The band toured the US, Canada and Europe and broke up in 1997.-History:...
) (drums). The new line-up signed to SST Records, releasing two albums in 1988 and 1989. The band went on hiatus in 1990, with Joe Nolte feeling "sort of disheartened" after the band's first national US tour (they had previously only played in California). Joe reformed the band in 1994 and another album, Gin & Innuendoes, was released in 1996, with Robbie Rist
Robbie Rist
Robert Anthony Rist is an American actor and musician.-Acting and voiceover work:As a child, Rist played Cousin Oliver in the final six episodes of The Brady Bunch. With the regular children all getting older, his inclusion was intended to reintroduce cute younger children to the series...
replacing Nazworthy and Missy Buettner replacing Manke shortly after the album's release. The early '80s lineup of the band, featuring Vitus Mataré and John Frank, still performs occasionally in Southern California. In 2008, The Last completed a new album for Owned & Operated Recordings called Danger. The bassist and drummer for the sessions were Karl Alvarez
Karl Alvarez
Karl Matthew Alvarez is the bass guitar player for both the Descendents and All, the band that resulted after the Descendents disbanded again in 1987....
and Bill Stevenson, respectively. Alvarez and Stevenson form the rhythm sections for the bands ALL
ALL (band)
All is an American punk band originally from Los Angeles, currently residing in Fort Collins, Colorado, formed by Descendents members Bill Stevenson, Karl Alvarez, and Stephen Egerton.-Formation and Cruz Records Years:...
and the Descendents
Descendents
The Descendents are an American punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California. As of 2011, they have released six studio albums, three live albums, three compilation albums and three EPs. The Descendents broke up and reformed several times over the years, sometimes with different musicians...
as well.
Joe and Mike Nolte have also recorded an acoustic album, Joe 'n' Mike.
David Nolte has worked as a touring bassist, working with Dave Davies
Dave Davies
David Russell Gordon "Dave" Davies is an English rock musician best known for his role as lead guitarist and vocalist for the English rock band The Kinks....
of the Kinks, David Gray
David Gray (musician)
David Gray is an English singer-songwriter. He released his first studio album in 1993 and received worldwide attention after the release of White Ladder six years later...
, The Wondermints
The Wondermints
Wondermints is a band from Los Angeles, California, United States. The main members are Darian Sahanaja , Nick Walusko and Mike D'Amico...
and many others.
Mataré went on to become a successful record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
.
Albums
- L.A. Explosion! (1979), Bomp!
- Look Again (1980), Backlash
- Painting Smiles on a Dead Man (1985), Lolita
- Confession (1988), SST
- Awakening (1989), SST
- Gin & Innuendoes (1996), SST
- Danger (2008), Owned & Operated
Singles
- "She Don't Know Why I'm Here" (1978), Backlash
- "Every Summer Day" (1978), Backlash
- "L.A. Explosion" (1978), Backlash
- "Every Summer Day" (1979), Bomp!
- "This Kind of Feeling" (1979), Line
- Fade to Black EP (1982), Bomp!
- "Be-Bop-A-Lula" (1982), Bomp!
- "Up in the Air" (1982), Warf Rat