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The Rakes Split Up, Cancel Tour
Don’t expect The Rakes to follow Brooks & Dunn’s lead with the promise of a world tour to come after the breakup. The split takes effect immediately and the band’s upcoming U.K. dates and North American tour have both been canceled.
The band posted the following statement on their website, explaining why they had to say goodbye and apologizing for canceling the fall dates.
“To our fans, sorry if this abrupt end is an unpleasant surprise and might piss any of you off, particularly those who were coming to see us on our UK and US tours. Under the circumstances we just couldn’t continue… We of course don’t want to piss anyone off, we never took canceling shows lightly – but it’s best to leave you all on a high note, rather than unimaginatively continue, on and on, until before you know it you’re playing an OAP home in Eastbourne and discover all the audience are younger than you.
“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 band was scheduled to play The Cockpit in Leeds, U.K., Oct. 26 followed by an Oct. 27 show in Bristol, U.K., and an Oct. 28 show in Birmingham, U.K.
The North American tour would have kicked off Oct. 31 at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, Calif., and ran through Nov. 12 with a gig at HighLine Ballroom in New York City. Full refunds will be given to ticketholders.
The Rakes last performed together Oct. 14 with a show at E-Werk in Erlangen, Germany.
The band, which was composed of Alan Donohoe on vocals, Matthew Swinnerton on guitar, Jamie Hornsmith on Bass and Lasse Petersen on drums, formed in 2002. The Rakes released their debut album Capture/Release in 2005, followed by Ten New Messages in 2007 and Klang in 2009.
Click here for The Rakes’ website.