The Last Barbarians formed in the winter of 2006. Drummer Adam Phaneuff, formerly of Come Dionysus, invited old band mates- funky guitarist Dan Reilly and slap-happy bassist John Walters, of the once famed Flip McNally- for some over due jamming. The project really got some legs when vocalist Mike McCaughan, an aficionado of all things metal, made his guttural presence known at one of the aforementioned jam sessions. McCaughan had made a pact with then-freelance bassist John Walters to collaborate harmonically upon returning to West Chester after a brief stint in Miami. The coinciding of the two plans could not have been anymore perfect. Old band mates reunited based on the demand for more Flip McNally only to find their voice in a golden friend with a renewed tenacity toward his future. The sonic artillery unleashed in that basement during the cold winter days of '06 was more powerful than the Manhattan Project, more enlightening than Edison's breakthrough, and more important than Pasteur's petri dish. Something big was happening...something...different.
Drummer/percussionist Adam Phaneuff emerged as the unshakeable backbone of the group. Taking influences from whatever keeps things moving, Phaneuff became an advocate for the forceful push of a good song, rather than the complication that describes "good" punk rock. He takes his influences from bands like NOFX and Nirvana and mixes them with the undeniable urge to create more. He cannot hide his lust for juicy fills inspired by Neil Pert (Rush) and Buddy Rich.
Bassist/Mad Scientist John Walters developed into the free-formed virtuoso of the group drawing influences from conscious existence. Walters is the Wild Card of the lot. The audience, and at times even his own band mates, are kept on their toes in anticipation of his next note. Routinely, Walters is the best bassist in the room.
Guitarist Dan Reilly rounded into form as the trio's colorful soul. Mixing rhythm, lead guitar styles, along with forming clever and thoughtful musical passages, Reilly assumed the role of tying these two musical giants together, accentuating the harmonic emotion created. He draws his inspiration from the musical styling of guitar legends such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Satriani and John Frusciante in addition to the nuances of everyday life and their never ending impedance on his pursuit of happiness.
The missing piece of the puzzle, Vocalist / hell raiser Mike McCaughan, expresses his beliefs through thunderous screams and anarchistic undertones that fuel the connection between The Last Barbarians and their listeners. His lyrics are poignant, provocative, and stray wildly away from his condemning contemporaries. He pushes the proverbial envelope and carries the thunder of the gods.
Since their initial stage debut, The Last Barbarians have gone on to play numerous dates in both Philadelphia, New York City, south Jersey and in their hometown of West Chester. In addition, The Last Barbarians completed a small southern tour to Georgia and South Carolina. Performing at places like the Trocadero in Philadelphia, Rex's Bar in West Chester, The Cue Club II in Delran, NJ, and The Pussycat Lounge in NYC, the next move for The Last Barbarians is to take over the entire East Coast and release their new EP. "Weekend Warrior” will be released on March 22, 2008.
The Last Barbarians are in demand, and COMING FOR YOU!
Philadelphia’s The Last Barbarians are an escape from the typical musical act. These four thunder-hungry music connoisseurs have band together in a collage of musical preferences to form their infectious and flat-out bludgeoning style they call – Barbarian
