Sunk Loto signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia when the members' average age was 16 years.
The group disbanded in December 2007, and after a 15-year hiatus the original members re-formed the band in 2022 and have since performed around Australia with 2 sold out national tours, and released their first new song in 20 years “The Gallows Wait” with new guitarist Rohan Stevenson after announcing they had parted ways with Luke McDonald.
[1] Originally named Messiah, Jason Brown had met Luke McDonald at a local music store, Jason brought his younger brother Dane to practice sessions and McDonald's school mate, Sean Van Gennip joined the band when Miles decided to part ways.
[1] In November that year, they released a five-track extended play, Society Anxiety, which was produced by Paul McKercher (the Cruel Sea, Spiderbait).
There wasn't much in the way of pushing the envelope song wise, and while the nu-metal angle is now a bit contrived, it was a sound that typified the time.
"[6] The administrator of Beatdust felt it "pays homage to its inspirations – elements of both Evil Empire era RATM and Deftones Around the Fur are heavily evident both musically and sonically throughout.
[7] The band performed at a range of festivals including Homebake promoting the EP and then commenced writing their debut studio album.
[4] Sunk Loto issued their debut album, Big Picture Lies (October 2000), with McKercher again as producer, in Sydney.
[4] The Post's Sam Bartlett observed, "[it] is all over the shop, suggesting a promising future, while summing up the coagulation of influences from hip-hop, rock, metal and even classical.
"[7] Tim Cashmere of radioundercover.com felt it was "good work" and that unlike many contemporaries, the lead singer, "Jason does have a fairly decent voice.
[1][12] Besides taking time with their song writing they faced personal hardships including the death of a friend, drug addiction, divorce and their equipment being stolen.
"[12] On 17 November 2003 they issued their second album, Between Birth and Death, a significantly darker and heavier effort with Phil McKellar (Grinspoon, Silverchair, Spiderbait) producing.
"[11] In 2006 Sean Van Gennip departed the band due to creative differences and was replaced on bass guitar by Rob Kaay (ex-Full Scale).