Sincere thanks for all your support. Here’s our collective thoughts:

The Rakes have always been very adamant and proud of the fact that we give 100% 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% anymore and regret to announce that The Rakes are calling it a day. We are sorry to let down all the people who were coming to see us on the UK & US tours. Writing your own obituary is a surreal thing to do but we want to give particular thanks to our much-loved fans, all the great people we’ve worked with over the years, our management and loyal record label. We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to write music together and perform around the world. Genuinely, thanks for the good times…. That was one hell of a party! But now, we really must get some sleep.

The Rakes have announced they are to split with immediate effect.

The band who formed in 2002, came together as a foursome of childhood friends and kindred sprits and went on to release three critically acclaimed albums; the first Capture/Release in 2005, followed by Ten New Messages in 2007 and Klang (2009).

Both the October UK tour and American dates are cancelled and full refunds will be given to ticket holders.

A statement from the band reads:

�”The Rakes have always been very adamant and proud of the fact that we give 100% 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% anymore and regret to announce that The Rakes are calling it a day. We are sorry to let down all the people who were coming to see us on the UK & US tours. Writing your own obituary is a surreal thing to do but we want to give particular thanks to our much-loved fans, all the great people we’ve worked with over the years, our management and loyal record label. We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to write music together and perform around the world. Genuinely, thanks for the good times…. That was one hell of a party! But now, we really must get some sleep.�

The Rakes were a spindly - framed quartet rising from the rented rooms of North London. They wrote songs unfashionably political and shot through with humour.

The Rakes inturn were chaotic, charming, sublime and ridiculous.

The Rakes were Alan Donohoe - Vocals, Matthew Swinnerton - Guitar, Jamie Hornsmith - Bass, Lasse Petersen - Drums

I’m gonna miss them loads that’s for sure.
RIP THE RAKES.
XX

A limited allocation of tickets have been put on sale - available here:http://www.seetickets.com/s.asp?a=young+knives+plus+esser+%26amp%3B+ox.eagle.lion.man&p=6970http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=329462&interface=heaven

Other news in the rakes camp…
It’s official. The festival season is coming to an end, and after doing a wapping 28 festivals!!! (that’s gotta be some kind of record) The Rakes are heading out on tour. Starting in Germany, then Italy, then a few dates in Belgium, Holland and UK.
Then….  move over Nickleback cos The Rakes are coming back to town. Yes that’s right…. We’ll be touring USA and Canada throughout October and November. 

Whatelse.
Sorry again for cancelling our London show. We don’t take that lightly. Was something todo with a mix up of commitments regarding USA, UK, and someone not taking into account that both respective countries are in different time zones with a 12 hour flight in between. Apparently the mix up came when someone realised that its actually physically impossible to be in both London and Los Angles at the same time. Nice one Einstein. Anyway, we’re gonna rearrange something so hang in there dudes.

On a lighter note…
We’ve decided togo public regarding our support for Peter Andre during the turbulent times in which he is suffering. We’ll do this by starting a ‘Pete’s alright’ campaign. So spread the word kids… Pete’s alright.
….. He’s alright.

I know you might of lost money on booking fee’s, etc - I don’t have a clue where that money goes and why anyone makes money for not doing anything… its crap. We’ll try and make it up to all our London fans by planning a special show for you all in the coming months, hopefully for free or cheap as possible… - so please don’t be too peeved off.

Watch this space and see you soon,

Alan Rake (on behalf of the band).

That said, book your tickets now as it may be the last time you get to see THE RAKES AS YOU KNOW THEM. After this tour we’re gonna go away for a bit, and when we’re back things WILL be different.

So listen carefully as I will say this only once. WE’RE DOING JUST 4 UK DATES INCLUDING A ONE OFF DATE AT THE LONDON FOURM. We have some VERY special guests to announce and some surprises up our sleeves. Trust me; you don’t want to miss this.

26th Oct: Leeds, Cockpit

27th Oct: Bristol, Academy

28th Oct: Birmingham, Academy

29th Oct: London, Forum

For all you US/Canadian fans we are finally releasing our third album ‘Klang’ digitally on the 20th October and to celebrate this momentous day we’ll be coming over and playing a few dates. And don’t worry Europe we’ll be coming over to see you in October! Go to ‘Movements’ to check out where and when.

Hope to see you all there, oh and listen out for our new single ‘Light from your Mac’! Coming to radio real soon so keep an ear out!

The Rakes

xx

As you may be aware we are headlining the 1234 Festival this year in Shoreditch which should be a hoot. For a chance to come and ‘hang’ out the lovely people at 1234 are offering two VIP tickets with lots of other perks on top so just answer the question below and you never know you might actually win!

On top of this we are giving away an mp3 of our track ‘That’s the Reason’ just to get you into the summer festival vibe. Click here to download now.

Enjoy and see you Sunday!

Win VIP tickets for 2 for THE1234SHOREDITCH 09

“Cooler and sexier than any other festival” i-D

Sunday 26th July 2009
12 noon - 9pm - 3am

You and a guest can enjoy VIP backstage at THESHOREDITCH1234 festival.

Start with breakfast at The Diner (Shoreditch) then hang out backstage in the VIP area with complimentary food and drink throughout the day and have your portrait taken by Giles Price (The Guardian, i-D, SHOWstudio and Big Magazine).

Finish at the exclusive VIP aftershow at The Hoxton Square Bar & Grill hosted by Stunners International or head off to any of the other 10 aftershow events (50+ bands/DJs) in Shoreditch at The Electricity Showrooms, Mother, Cocomo, Bar Music Hall, Catch, Hoxton Pony, Old Blue Last, Queen Of Hoxton, The Joiners Arms or Dalston Superstore.

This year THE1234SHOREDITCH 09 sees us guys with acts including Patrick Wolf,Tim Burgess (The Charlatans), Chrome Hoof, The Warlocks, aUTOKRATZ (Kitsune), Krazy Baldhead (Ed Banger) and many many more. Check website for full line-up and further competitions www.the1234shoreditch.com.

For your chance to WIN simply answer the following question

What was our first ever single?

a) 22 Grand Job
b) Strasbourg
c) Retreat
d) We Are All Animals

Email your answer a, b, c or d to info@the1234shoreditch.com. Please also include your email, name and a mobile phone number.

This competition closes at 5pm on Wednesday the 22nd Of July. The winner be contacted by 10am on Thursday the 23rd. Entrants must be over 18.

This week we Played 6 festivals. 3 in France, 1 in Germany, 1 in Belgium and 1 in Switzerland, then did a 1 off show in Saltzburg Austria. We got through 4 tour buses, we had 1 Fire, 1 flood, 1 hurricane, 1 break down on the Autobahn, caught 2 trains, 1 minibus, 2 taxis and  got lost in 1 corn field. Here’s the pictures. We’re back in the corner of London where it all started next sunday, playing the 1-2-3-4 festival. Hope to see you there!

Keeping with the tradition, now you have Mando Diao

I love Germany, but dudes what is with your music taste.

I guess I can hardly talk though, I’m from England, have you seen our top 40…

Brian 

Theo

Scheufens

James

Leslie