The Sleepy Jackson

The Sleepy Jackson
Front-man Luke Steele performing live with the band in October 2003.
Background information
Origin	Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Genres	Alternative rock, baroque pop, power pop
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Capitol (Australia) Virgin (UK) Astralwerks (USA)
Associated acts	Empire of the Sun, Little Birdy, End of Fashion, Eskimo Joe, Spencer Tracy, The Exploders
Website	Official website
Members	Luke Steele Malcolm Clark also: Lee Jones Dave Symes Jake Steele Jodi Steele
Past members	Jesse Steele Matthew O'Connor (deceased) Adam Buckeridge Paul Keenan Ronan Charles Justin Burford Rodney Aravena Jonathon Dudman Ben Nightingale Julian Dudman Felix Bloxsom

The Sleepy Jackson are an Australian alternative rock band formed in Perth, Western Australia. The band's name was inspired by a former drummer who was narcoleptic. The band revolves around the distinctive vocal style of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Luke Steele. Stemming from a musical family, Luke's father Rick Steele is a local blues musician, and two of Luke's siblings are also musicians, with brother Jesse a former member of The Sleepy Jackson (and currently performing with father Rick in The Hot Biscuit Band), and sister Katy, who fronts another Perth rock band, Little Birdy. While a series of acclaimed EPs brought The Sleepy Jackson to a broader musical attention of Australia, it was the release of their 2003 album Lovers and 2006 second album Personality – One Was a Spider, One Was a Bird that directed significant international focus upon the band.

The Sleepy Jackson formed in 1998 with the original lineup featuring Luke Steele (vocals and guitars), Jesse Steele (drums), and Matthew O'Connor (bass). This lineup recorded a self-titled debut EP and a subsequent single titled "Miniskirt." Both recordings were independently released. In 2000, as a result of non-musical commitments, Luke suggested that his brother should redirect his attentions and concentrate on other happenings in his life which ultimately resulted in Jesse following his advice and departing the band.

The void created by Jesse Steele's departure was filled by Paul Keenan (who later drummed with Eskimo Joe at their live performances). Along with numerous shows in their hometown of Perth, in late 2000 The Sleepy Jackson toured nationally with Jebediah. In March 2001, on the eve of the band's signing with EMI Records, the band toured with Magic Dirt and Motor Ace with Ronan Charles on keyboards joining Steele, O'Connor and Keenan. Five weeks into the tour, with the band broke, exhausted, and sleeping in caravan parks rather than enjoying the luxuries their touring partners were enjoying, O'Connor, Keenan and Charles quit, leaving Luke Steele to complete the tour solo.