Proof that one fantastic single is all it takes to make a band's name, the Rakes burst onto the London music scene in 2004 with "22 Grand Job," a pithy punk satire of crappy entry-level office jobs. Various stories swirled about how the band -- which featured vocalist/guitarist Alan Donohoe, guitarist Matthew Swinnerton, ba**ist Jamie Hornsmith, and drummer La**e Petersen -- got together, ranging from elaborate tales of meeting on a flight to Amsterdam to the more plausible ... Show more...

Proof that one fantastic single is all it takes to make a band's name, the Rakes burst onto the London music scene in 2004 with "22 Grand Job," a pithy punk satire of crappy entry-level office jobs. Various stories swirled about how the band -- which featured vocalist/guitarist Alan Donohoe, guitarist Matthew Swinnerton, ba**ist Jamie Hornsmith, and drummer La**e Petersen -- got together, ranging from elaborate tales of meeting on a flight to Amsterdam to the more plausible explanation of being childhood friends. The Rakes played a few local dates before unleashing 22 Grand Job, which was released as a limited-edition 7" by Trash Aesthetics, also the early home to Bloc Party. The single also appeared on the Fierce Panda compilation EP On the Buzzes. The band spent that spring and summer recording and supporting likeminded acts such as Bloc Party, the Others, and Art Brut. In the fall, the Rakes released their second single, Strasbourg, on City Rockers and embarked on their first tour. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide