UK Rockers The Rakes Split Up

London rockers the Rakes have broken up. Just days before the release of their third album, 'Klang,' which is due next Tuesday, the indie band has curiously split and canceled plans for a US tour.

"The Rakes have always been very adamant and proud of the fact that we give 100 percent to every gig we've ever played," the band said in a statement Thursday. "If we can't give it everything then we won't do it. That was the rule we set for ourselves from day one."

"After much deliberation, we have come to the shared conclusion that we can't give it 100 percent anymore and regret to announce that the Rakes are calling it a day," the Alan Donohoe-fronted group explained. "We are sorry to let down all the people who were coming to see us on the UK and 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."

Formed in 2002, the London-based band of childhood friends released 'Capture/Release' in 2005 and 'Ten Messages' in 2007 to much acclaim. Describing their own sound as "chaotic, charming, sublime and ridiculous" the group, which also counted guitarist Matthew Swinnerton, bassist Jamie Hornsmith and drummer Lasse Peterson, meshed unfashionable political observations with humor.

"Genuinely, thanks for the good times," the band says in its parting shot. "That was one hell of a party! But now, we really must get some sleep."

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