It all started in a bedroom-studio with three friends and “nostalgic garage pop.” Johnny Took and Tommy O’Dell were playing in a rock band, Underlights. After a jam session with guitarist Matt Mason, Australian-based band the DMA’s was founded in 2012. DMA’s bedroom demos received much recognition and they went on to cut a deal with indie label I Oh You. The band released their debut self-titled EP in 2014.
In an interview with The Brag, producer/guitarist Johnny Took explained that the band concentrates their energy on the song because “if there aren’t good songs coming out, then there’s nothing really.” They receive their musical influences from artists like Primal Scream, Oasis, and Happy Mondays. Although the band’s initial intent was to be a solely studio-based band, with the EP’s huge success they have expanded to performing live on stage and touring.
DMA’s debut EP is now available in the US and released their newest single “Laced.”