The band was formed in 2000 by drummer Janne Haavisto, bass player Mikko Mäkelä, singer/songwriter Markus Nordenstreng and guitarist Miikka Paatelainen.
Organ player Matti Pitsinki from Finnish instrumental rock group Laika & The Cosmonauts was added to the line-up in 2005.
Fortune Cookies (2003) was recorded in Finland with producer Lasse Kurki and it included a special guest appearance by well-known American guitarist Marc Ribot.
The album was recorded in upstate New York and it included guest appearances by MC5-guitarist Wayne Kramer, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' organ player Benmont Tench, Ken Stringfellow from The Posies and Wilco's John Stirratt and Pat Sansone.
The Latebirds recorded their third album titled Last Of The Good Ol' Days with Grammy-winning producer Jim Scott in Los Angeles.