Project:Sandbox

Late of the Pier are a four-piece dance-punk band from Castle Donington, England, currently signed to Phantasy. Their debut album Fantasy Black Channel was released on 11 August 2008 by Parlophone produced by Erol Alkan.

History
The band formed in 2004, although some of the songs they perform were written before this, with some dating to back to 2001. Their debut single, "Space And The Woods", was released through WayOutWest Records from the band's Zarcorp Demo EP in March 2007. This was limited to 500 copies only. Their second single, "Bathroom Gurgle", was produced by Erol Alkan and was released in September 2007 by Moshi Moshi Records. Like their previous release, this was also limited to 500 copies. Their third single, "The Bears Are Coming", was released on 12" and download only, with 7" versions being sold exclusively on their February 2008 tour. This was released through the band's own Zarcorp label. Their fourth single, a double A-side including a new version of "Space and the Woods" as well as "Focker", was released following a headline slot on the Levi's Ones To Watch tour.

They have opened 2007's Carling Weekend on the NME/Radio One stage, while appearing on the festival's Republic stage a year later in 2008. The band have performed support slots for Hadouken!, Soulwax, Justice and U.N.K.L.E. on recent tour dates. Late of the Pier supported Kaiser Chiefs on their headline tour in the UK in 2008.

Their debut album, Fantasy Black Channel, was released by Parlophone on 11 August 2008. On 7 September 2009, it was voted winner of the Neptune Music Prize on the Drowned in Sound website. They released a new single titled "Blueberry" as a digital download on the 17th of December 2009, and as a double A-Side in February 2010 with "Best In The Class"

Sam Eastgate is to feature on Filthy Dukes' debut album Nonsense In The Dark. He features on the track "This Rhythm". Lead singer Sam Eastgate also has a side-project La Priest. He recently produced Manchester indie pop band Egyptian Hip Hop's debut double A-side single Wild Human Child/Heavenly.

As of March 2010 and the release of Blueberry/Best In The Class, Eastgate, Faley & Potter are to concentrate on side projects and have stated that it is unlikely to see new material in 2010.

Eastgate will be touring as part of New Zealand Indie Twee act Connan Mockasin's band in March on his album release tour around New Zealand.

Dawson, who has been working with a new London based band since early 2011, is currently recording and will be playing live later in the year.

Musical style
Late of the Pier's style has often been compared to artists like Gary Numan, Brian Eno, Stephen Dubrich, Bill Nelson of Be-Bop Deluxe fame, and the more contemporary Metronomy and Klaxons, mainly due to the prominent use of synthesisers in an off-kilter pop style.

Albums

 * 2008: Fantasy Black Channel - UK #28

Demos

 * 2005: Refill Men Twist & The Zarcorp Legacy
 * 2007: Zarcorp Demo