New York disco-punks The Rapture have been left stunned after bass player Matt Safer quit the band.
The Rapture formed in New York in the late 90s, and since the Millennium dawned the group have proved to be highly influential trend setters. Amongst the first guitar groups of their generation to dig out post-punk classics such as Gang Of Four, their was always an original element in the band’s music that set them apart.
Early mini-album ‘Out Of The Races And Onto The Tracks’ was released on Sub Pop, and alerted fans to something vital and new. Their debut album ‘Echoes’ followed via DFA, and it is with the New York hipsters that The Rapture are most commonly associated.
The band operate as DJs on the side, and this knowledge of the dancefloor gives their music an added edge. A stunning live act, The Rapture effortlessly blend rock with electronic rhythms with their second album ‘Pieces Of The People We Know’ showing a knowledge of house and techno.
Now it seems that Mat Safer has tired of life with the group, and is departing for pastures new. In a blog posting the band state:
“I’m sad to say that at the begining of April our buddy Mattie Safer decided to leave the band. We are sad to see him go but it seems it is the best for all of us. Since then Luke, Vito and I have been on a creative tear.”
“We’ve been working out of our little Brooklyn make shift studio, writing, demoing and jamming. I’m pretty damn excited to share the fruits of our labor with you. But its still gonna be a minute before we hit the studio for real.”
“On the other hand, I am very pleased to announce that the people of the great continent of Australia will be some of the first to hear some of our new material live, when we arrive late September for Parklife festival.”
The Rapture are due to begin work on their third album later this year.
