The Rapture

The Rapture

The Rapture is an American band from New York, active since 1998, with roots in the San Francisco music scene. The group forms around drummer Vito Roccoforte and guitarist and vocalist Luke Jenner, and later includes bassist Mattie Safer, multi-instrumentalist Gabriel Andruzzi, and Christopher Relyea. Its line-up is associated with the labels Sub Pop, Universal Motown Records, DFA, and Throne of Blood.

Style and background

The band works across post-punk, post-punk revival, dance-punk, alternative dance, acid house, house, disco, electronica, indie rock and related indie and electronic styles. It is associated with the early-2000s post-punk revival and develops a sound that combines rock instrumentation with dance-oriented rhythms and club influences.

Releases and activity

After forming in 1998, the band relocates to New York and its original bassist departs, with Matt Safer taking over bass duties. In 2001 it releases the six-song EP Out of the Races and Onto the Tracks on Sub Pop. Gabriel Andruzzi joins in 2002. The first full-length album, Echoes, appears in 2003.

In 2004 the band tours widely, including a run as main support to Funeral for a Friend on the NME Awards Tour alongside Franz Ferdinand and The Von Bondies. It also plays the main stage of the Curiosa Festival with Interpol, Scarling, Mogwai, Cursive, The Cooper Temple Clause, Head Automatica and The Cure. The second full-length album, Pieces of the People We Love, follows in 2006, produced by Paul Epworth, Ewan Pearson and Danger Mouse and issued on Universal Motown Records. The fourth album, In the Grace of Your Love, is recorded in Brooklyn and Paris and produced by Philippe Zdar.

Later years

After a hiatus, Luke Jenner’s church attendance and choir singing influence some of his writing, including the single “How Deep Is Your Love?” The band later reunites in 2019 without Matt Safer.

Additional note

The name is also used by British keyboardist, recording engineer and producer Stuart Lynch.