THE LAST PREMIERE THEIR SEVENTH ALBUM, DANGER, ON PUNKNEWS.ORG;
GODFATHERS OF SOUTH BAY PUNK THE LAST PREMIERE THEIR SEVENTH ALBUM, DANGER, ON PUNKNEWS.ORG;
NEW ALBUM OUT NOW ON END SOUNDS
#11 on the CMJ Top 200 Adds, Beating Out Arcade Fire
Los Angeles, CA, November 6, 2013 – The Last — brothers Joe [vocals, guitar] and Mike Nolte [vocals, keyboard], Descendents and ALL rhythm section Bill Stevenson [drums] and Karl Alvarez [bass] – release their seventh full-length album, Danger, is available now on CD, vinyl, and digital formats, through End Sounds. Full stream is available now via PunkNews.org.
Danger preserves the legendary Los Angeles punk outfit’s patent sound, while adding a kinetic spark. Of the 17-year hiatus between that last album and now, Joe Nolte cryptically says, “I personally went to hell and back, reinventing my soul along the way. We have all had brushes with death and have all survived.”It is clear that the music survived as well. The evidence: the new album, Danger. Where L.A. Explosion! existed as a psychedelic pastiche of surf, 60’s garage punk, and Beatles-damaged pop, with Danger, Joe wanted to show the world a slightly rougher side. “The Last is the dark side of music from SoCal, along the lines of the Doors and X,” says Karl Alvarez. “It’s like the SoCal of riots. But there’s a streak of romance and hopefulness.”
“With The Last’s return, Danger is, perhaps, the most important release of any Southern California band in 2013. The album’s deeply introspective lyrics, edgy guitar, haunting keyboard, and seamless harmonies are delivered with pressing urgency, suggesting the band’s unfinished business. Acknowledging The Last’s long history, Danger is utterly contemporary and captures the anxiety of modern life with a sophistication and musicality that its peers never realized.” John Collinson, THE LOS ANGELES BEAT
Everyone from The Bangles, Black Flag, OFF!, and Circle Jerks counts The Last amongst its influences. They pioneered a distinctly catchy yet raw and powerful sound that’s permeated every facet of rock and roll. With a seminal catalog on labels like SST and Bomp! Records, with releases L.A. Explosion! [1979], Look Again [1980], Painting Smiles on a Dead Man [1985], Confession [1988], Awakening [1989], and Gin & Innuendoes [1996], they’re continuing to build their formidable legacy now with End Sounds.
Raymond Pettibon, who created much of the iconic artwork for Black Flag, also did the cover art for Danger. Pettibon’s artwork for Danger will also be included with a special iTunes booklet and in large format for the vinyl editions of the release. For links and bundle specials, please visit: http://www.endsounds.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=228
The Last packed Durty Nelly’s at Gainsville, Florida’s Fest 12 this past weekend. Up next is a slot at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, November 9, at Beerland. For more information and tickets, please visit: http://funfunfunfest.com/. More dates to be announced.
Danger Tracklisting:
- I Know
- Red Hair
- Unreal Love
- I Don’t Know What To Say
- I’m Not Crazy
- Go Away Sunday
- Look Again
- When That I Am Dead
- Take Care of Her
- She Knows Just What To Do
- Anybody Else
- Danger
- Difference
- Faces In Your Eyes
“Danger” demonstrates, memories run long, and the Last’s ability to articulate
those feelings is still keen.” — Kevin Bronson, BUZZBANDS.LA
Photo by: Stacie Stevenson