THE RAKES SPLIT+ BLOG UPDATE

Music can be so mean sometimes. It gives you something you love then takes it away. News surfaced today that The Rakes have split up, cancelling the remaining dates of their tour. Basically I'm gutted - these guys made straight forward indie with just the right amount of wit and edge. Their debut 'Capture/Release' came out on my 14th birthday and I still remember getting it that day and playing it all the way through, reading the lyrics in the booklet. The band released this statement on the reason for the split:

"The Rakes have always been very adamant and proud of the fact that we give 100 per cent to every gig we've ever played. If we can't give it everything then we won't do it. That was the rule we set ourselves from day one. After much deliberation we have come to the shared conclusion that we can't give it 100 per cent any more and regret to announce that The Rakes are calling it a day...Genuinely, thanks for the good times...that was one hell of a party! But now, we really must get some sleep"

I suppose that's a pretty good reason to split, and I respect them for their 'all or nothing' approach. But what a shame, I enjoyed all 3 of their albums and in Alan Donohoe they had one of the most charismatic frontmen in recent years. I remember seeing them live a couple of times - he's so angular and rakey, and he danced like Ian Curtis. Well best of luck to them in whatever they do next. I've included possibly my favourite Rakes tune at the end.

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Meanwhile, I realise this is my first post in a very long time but as some of you may already know, I've just started uni in London. So I've been pretty busy indeed. But I'll do my best - look out for a gigs run-down next week covering the bands I've seen live since being in the big city, featuring The Veils, Kid Harpoon and HEALTH. There's been a lot of good stuff around too so I'll get something down about new bits coming out.

To close, it sucks when a band you've liked for ages split. But there's new music coming out all the time, and for every band that dies, another just as good emerges. Look on the bright side, try to discover new things. Keep your ears to the ground xx

MP3: The Rakes - Terror (Extended Mix) (ysi)
[Buy their stuff for cheaps here]