Miniature Dinosaurs are a pop/rock band from Stirling, Scotland. They’re Barry Maclean (vocals/guitar), Alban Dickson (bass guitar), Andrew McAllister (guitar/keys) and Sam Waller (drum kit). Critics have compared their music to the likes of David Bowie, The Killers, Pulp and Weezer.
Their first single, ‘(I Want To Watch) Top Gear’, was featured on BBC Radio One three months before the outfit performed their first gig. Since then, the band have supported such artists as Fenech-Soler, Twin Atlantic, Florrie, Young the Giant and Wave Machines.
2 self-released EPs followed: ‘Chatterbox’ in 2010 and ‘Off the Radio’ in early 2011. Both EPs were supported with live dates throughout the UK.
In June 2011, Electric Honey, the label that started the careers of Biffy Clyro, Snow Patrol and Belle and Sebastian, released a 7″ single of Miniature Dinosaurs’ “Fight or Flight”.
In the summer of 2011, the band hosted their very own 5-a-side football tournament for Scottish bands in their hometown stadium belonging to Stirling Albion Football Club. Miniature Dinosaurs made it to the Semi Finals to be beaten by eventual winners, We Were Promised Jetpacks. The event was a huge success and is now an annual fixture.
In September 2011 the download single, ‘Alligator’, was released through up and coming Glasgow independent label, Saraseto Records. The track was recorded and produced by Kev Harper from the band Little Eskimos. The Dan Morgan-produced video has already racked up over 15,000 YouTube views and the band managed to score several syncs in the MTV drama Being Victor.
2012 saw the band nominated for Best Live Act in the annual Scottish Alternative Music Awards, sign to UK independent Integrity Records and return to Beetroot Studios in a deep, dark council estate in Airdrie to work with producer Stuart Macleod recording their brand new EP from which the first single ‘Lemonade’ was released on August 13th (INT 034).
The full ‘Turn it On’ EP followed in November with a video for lead track ‘Next of Kin’ which you can watch here.
What the press is saying
BBC Radio 1, Vic Galloway
“Dramatic Indie Pop. I just love them”
BBC 6 Music, Tom Robinson
“Outstanding oddball pop”
The Scotsman, Radar
“This track is a good calling card and might just put Stirling back on the musical roadmap.”
The Sun, Jim Gellatly
“These guys blew me away…a very special band”
BBC Radio 1, Ally McCrae
“Totally harps back to older Scottish bands, the likes of Orange Juice and Fire Engines, mixed with some straight up pop…watch out for Miniature Dinosaurs”
This Is Fake DIY, Reviewer
“The arena-friendly bridge is most reminiscent of a stripped-down Killers, without the overly-bombastic spangles – which of course is a good thing”
Amazing Radio, Jim Gellatly
“Miniature Dinosaurs, one of my favourite new Scottish bands of the moment”
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One Step – Ida Wenøe - Official music video for the single
