Last Gang Entertainment

Last Gang was founded in October 2002. Initially, the formation of the company was a reaction of necessity: a response informed by the reality of 70 other labels passing on an act that deserved a shot. At the core, it was DIY stab into the heart of a fucked up music industry afraid to take a risk on a band with songs that really mattered. We took the fact that nobody would listen or believe in the vision as the defining reason to dream up a new reality and do-it-ourselves.

On a deeper level though, it was inspired by an honest belief in the idea that truly great music changes lives. It wasn’t calculated or part of some masterplan, it was motivated by formative experiences and the resulting memories that shape your reality and perceptions of the world. Memories of being a sixteen year old kid standing in the rain outside Antonelli’s in Windsor, Ontario… finally sneaking in to see Dry Heaves and DOS play in the midst of chaos and broken glass everywhere… praying that no one would see through the youthful cocksure and ask for IDs – in that moment, united with brothers and sisters, feeling like you were part of something bigger than yourself.

And so it began…. in the winter of 2002. A literal reference to the words and punk rock ethos of Joe Strummer and Mick Jones: “Everybody’s looking for the Last Gang in town. You better watch out for…they’re all coming around.” The first record we released to the world was Metric’s “Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?”. The second record was Death From Above 1979’s “You’re a Woman, I’m A Machine”. People took notice. What started as a passionate preoccupation began to transform into a viable and respected safe harbor for creative misfits – a sought after refuge for recording artists seeking to change the world in their own musical way. People started to listen. MSTRKRFT, Emily Haines, Tiga, Boys Noize, Crystal Castles…. too many to mention them all. Our monthly Presidential Pontifications became a public history documenting the development of this label we love. It was an ironic reality that the very people who dismissed us in the beginning…. who were too beholden to the corporate interests that so often prohibit creative investment in artists that deserve a platform to the world….. were now looking to us as an attractive peddler of cultural wares. The irony was deep. Too bad suckers…. you’re only 1.5 million albums too late.

Through eight years, our DIY experiment borne of necessity has developed into a multinational entity with offices and staff around the world. Momentum with the label helped drive our evolution. We formed independent Management and Publishing divisions and Last Gang Records evolved into Last Gang Entertainment. All of this was driven by the idea of creating an independent music company that could fully support artists beyond the typical limitations of a record label – allowing us to provide expertise and infrastructure in each of these areas that meaningful contribute to sustained artistic development.

Through all of this, we have been defined by a simple organizing principle: Us Against The World. That was the line that motivated it all on day one, and continues to do so today… there are just more people in the fight working together to build things brick by brick. Last Gang exists as a collective partnership with the artists we represent; it’s a symbiotic balance and one we do our best to nurture with intent and integrity. Although naive to some, we feel there is an attainable and cooperative balance between art and commerce – one that respects the creative vision and individuality of the artist, yet also affords the platform to communicate this on a broad level….. reaching the cool kids and the mainstream peeps who come to the party a bit late. This ideal is codified in our logo: three interconnected chain links that in our minds metaphorically represent (1) the artist; (2) the supporting team of people and business interests that work to nurture and cultivate sustained creative development; and (3) the people who are fans of the music…. who buy the records, wear the t-shirt, attend the shows, and ultimately keep the wheel turning. We have been fortunate to find this balance with many acts and look forward to doing so well into the future.

In short, Last Gang isn’t for the obvious choices or the bands that are being coddled by the music industry or even consumers; it is an acquired taste for people who are seeking extraordinary, intelligent approaches to presenting music. The industry is littered with larceny and evildoers who have proliferated over the history of this business, but we can honestly say with a straight face we bring value and integrity to the relationship that hopefully enables talented people to spread their wings and take on the world…fly and touch heaven… as we stay on the ground and till the soil for future saints.

Thanks for reading and for your interest in Last Gang.

Us Against The World®

Sincerely,

Last Gang
August, 2010