The Rapture (band)

For the Finnish band, see Rapture (band).
The Rapture

Performing at the 2011 Southbound Festival
Background information
Origin New York, New York, United States
Genres
Years active 1998–2014
Labels
Website Official website
Past members
  • Luke Jenner
  • Vito Roccoforte
  • Gabriel Andruzzi
  • Matt Safer
  • Brooks Bonstin
  • Christopher Relyea

The Rapture were a rock band from New York City, formed in 1998. The band's final line-up consisted of Luke Jenner (lead vocals, guitar), Vito Roccoforte (drums, percussion) and Gabriel Andruzzi (keyboards, bass, saxophone). The band mixed influences from many genres including dance-punk, post-punk, acid house, disco, and electronica. They were forerunners of the post-punk revival during the early 2000s, as they mixed their early post-punk sound with electronic and dance elements.

The band began by releasing a mini-album, Mirror, in January 1999, under Gravity Records. Afterward, in 2001, the band signed to Sub Pop and released the EP Out of the Races and Onto the Tracks. The band released the song "House of Jealous Lovers" in 2002 under their new record label DFA Records. After a re-recorded re-release of the song, it peaked at number 27 on the UK Singles Chart in 2003 and later received critical acclaim from critics. Later that year, the band released their first full-length studio album, Echoes. Following a departure from DFA Records, the band released their second studio album, Pieces of the People We Love, in 2006 under Universal Records and Vertigo Records, featuring production from Danger Mouse, Paul Epworth, and Ewan Pearson.

The band entered a small hiatus in 2008 after band member Luke Jenner left the band, but he eventually returned to the band after a few months. Matt Safer, the band's long time bassist, also left the band permanently in 2009. After a re-signing to DFA Records, the band released their third studio album, In the Grace of Your Love, in September 2011, which was their first studio album in five years. In 2014, it was revealed that the Rapture had officially disbanded.

History

Formation, Mirror and Out of the Races and Onto the Tracks (1998–2002)

In 1998, drummer Vito Roccoforte and guitarist/vocalist Luke Jenner formed the Rapture.[2] They released a single, "The Chair That Squeaks", on Hymnal Sound that same year.[3] After heavy touring, they released a debut mini-album, Mirror, on Gravity Records in 1999. Bassist Matt Safer joined the band prior to the 2001 release of the six-song EP Out of the Races and Onto the Tracks on the Sub Pop label.

"House of Jealous Lovers" and Echoes (2002–06)

With the help of the DFA production team, the band released "House of Jealous Lovers" in 2002 and eventually released their first full-length album Echoes.[2] The album secured two Top 40 singles in the UK[2] and also was met with critical acclaim, being awarded Album of the Year by pitchforkmedia.com and runner up in NME only to the White Stripes. Gabriel Andruzzi joined the band full-time after the record was completed to help tour.

In the wake of the success of "House of Jealous Lovers", The Rapture opened for the Sex Pistols in a football stadium in England, and underwent a large major bidding war eventually signing with Vertigo Records out of the UK and Strummer Records (a Gary Gersh Label) both owned by Universal Music.

In January 2004, the Rapture toured with Franz Ferdinand on the NME Awards Tour. Later that year, the band toured on the main stage of the Curiosa Festival alongside Interpol, Mogwai, and The Cure.

The album's main song, Echoes, was used as opening for the British series Misfits.

Pieces of the People We Love (2006–11)

The Rapture released their second full-length album, Pieces of the People We Love, on Universal Motown Records in September 2006 after Strummer folded. Paul Epworth, Ewan Pearson and Danger Mouse produced the album. Recorded mostly in New York city at Sear Sound (studio of Walter Sear, partner of Bob Moog) but also recorded a few songs in Los Angeles to work with Danger Mouse. The bulk of the recording being handled by Epworth and Pearson. The title track features Cee Lo Green on backing vocals.

The Rapture also toured with Daft Punk on the North American leg of their tour in 2007. Playing such venues as Red Rocks in Colorado, and the Greek Theatre in Berkeley California.

In an interview with Dave Owen of Access All Areas and I Can't Breathe Media[4] Luke Jenner stated that Justin Timberlake originally sang on the track "No Sex For Ben": "We were recording with Timbaland, 'cause he beatboxes on the track and Justin was upstairs with Duran Duran and he came down and sang on the track, but when we got it back from the label someone had removed JT's vocals."

In 2008, Luke Jenner left the band in the wake of his mother's death and son's birth. After a few months he returned to the band.[5]

On July 14, 2009 on The Rapture's official website they announced that bassist Mattie Safer decided to leave the band and add "We are sad to see him go but it seems it is the best for all of us." The Rapture have been working on new material since Safer's departure in their Brooklyn studio. In the days following Matt's departure Dave Owen[6] caught up with Luke Jenner who said that the split was amicable.

In August 2011, The Rapture first appeared on the cover of the publication The FADER, in its 75th issue.[7]

In the Grace of Your Love and split (2011–14)

The Rapture released In The Grace of Your Love on DFA Records on September 6, 2011 in the U.S. and September 5 in Europe while Modular released the album in Australia and New Zealand.

Phoenix producer/Cassius member Philippe Zdar produced the record, which the Rapture recorded in Brooklyn and Paris.[8]

In 2014, a press release for the Red Bull Music Academy tribute to William Onyeabor featured Luke Jenner as one of the acts participating. In the press release, Jenner was tagged with the brackets "formerly of The Rapture." It was unconfirmed by Jonathan Galkin, manager of DFA records, that the band had split.[9]

"Out of the Races and Onto the Tracks" featured in the film adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis novel The Rules Of Attraction.

The song "Echoes" plays in a scene of the film Superbad and is the opening theme for the E4 television series Misfits.

The song "The Devil" plays in a scene during the episode "Rocket Club" in the television series Aliens in America.

Their song, "Whoo! Alright, Yeah…Uh Huh" is the official anthem for New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer.[10] The same song is used on the EA sports game Madden 2007, under the name "W.A.Y.U.H".

"The Sound" was featured in the video game Need for Speed: ProStreet, the song was also used in an episode of CSI in 2007.

"No Sex for Ben" is featured in The Music of Grand Theft Auto IV a soundtrack that is bundled with the special edition version of Grand Theft Auto IV. This song was number 26 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.[11] The song was also featured on the third-season premiere of Gossip Girl and was a major hit in Australia.

The song "How Deep Is Your Love?" is used in an episode of the British teen drama Skins in 2012.

"House of Jealous Lovers" is featured in the NBA 2K15 video game.

"Pieces of the People We Love" is used as the opening track for "Tales from the Borderlands" Episode 3 – Catch A Ride. The song “Killing” was featured in the 2005 video game True Crime: New York City.

Discography

References

  1. ↑ Tom Semioi. "Out of the Races and Onto the Tracks Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  2. 1 2 3 Kellman, Andy. "The Rapture: Biography". All Music Guide. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
  3. ↑ "Rapture, The - The Chair That Squeaks". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
  4. ↑ http://www.accessallareas.net.au/podcasts/The_Rapture_Part_2.php
  5. ↑ Breihan, Tom (2011-08-29). "Interviews: The Rapture". pitchfork.com. Pitchfork Media Inc. Retrieved 2011-11-14.
  6. ↑ http://www.accessallareas.net.au/podcasts/The_Rapture.php
  7. ↑ FADER, The (2011-08-09). "World Premiere! The FADER Issue #75: Fall Fashion featuring Frank Ocean and The Rapture". The FADER. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  8. ↑ "The Rapture Return to DFA for New Album | News". Pitchfork. 2011-05-23. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  9. ↑ "The Rapture Break Up, Don't Tell Anyone". Self-Titled Magazine. 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  10. ↑ ${desc}. "adidas Athletic Shoes, Apparel, Sports Equipment & Casual Clothing | adidas.com for adidas shoes, clothing, Originals, and more". Adidas.com. Retrieved 2012-04-23.
  11. ↑ "The 100 Best Songs of 2008". Rolling Stone (December 25, 2008). Retrieved 2008-12-25
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