These US post-punk revivalists were hailed in many quarters as the second coming of the Gang Of Four, with their slashing guitar work, repetitive/minimalist funk bass and yelping vocals paying an obvious debt to the sound of the influential early 80s UK band. The Rapture's roots lay in an obscure San Francisco, California, USA synthesizer based outfit, the Calculators, which included Vito Roccoforte (drums) and Luke Jenner (vocals/guitar). Both left shortly after the release of the band's debut release, Circuit Breaking Silence, and formed the Rapture in spring 1998. After the release of a debut single, the band relocated to Seattle, Washington, before settling down in New York City. The Mirror EP was released in 1999, and was followed two years later with another EP, Out Of The Races And Onto The Tracks. By this time, the Rapture's line-up had solidified somewhat, as Matt Safer (b. 1982; bass), Gabe Andruzzi (saxophone) joined Roccoforte and Jenner.
A fine single, "House Of Jealous Lovers", saw the band breaking through into the mainstream in 2002. A major label recording contract with Universal Records ensued, with the band releasing their acclaimed debut Echoes in September 2003. DJ Danger Mouse was brought in alongside producers Ewan Pearson and Paul Epworth to help record the 2006 follow-up, Pieces Of The People We Love.
