The Format
Encyclopedia
The Format was an American indie rock
band formed by Arizona
natives Nate Ruess and Sam Means. The band announced a hiatus on February 4, 2008. Their style can be considered a mixture of indie, alternative, punk and folk music, with elements of 1960s and 1970s pop music. Though Means and Ruess are the foremost members of the band, they have toured and recorded with Mike Schey, Mark Buzard, Don Raymond, and—for the DVD recording and summer 2007 tour—The Honorary Title
's current drummer and The Format alumnus Adam Boyd. The Format chose their name to make fun of the music industry's inclination towards a cookie-cutter "format" for a hit.
The duo's first single, aptly titled "The First Single
" from their five song demo, EP, became locally popular on Phoenix
radio station KEDJ
and led to the duo signing with Elektra Records
in 2002. Their first studio album, Interventions + Lullabies
, recorded and produced by R. Walt Vincent
and released in October 2003, was very successful around the Phoenix
area. Despite the lack of support and marketing from their record company (no video, no major promotions, no push for radio play outside of Phoenix), the band's fan base grew due to word of mouth, the Internet, and extensive touring. The album sold over 100,000 copies in the US.
After Elektra folded, The Format released a second EP, Snails with sister label Atlantic Records
in April 2005. As they began to work on their second full-length album, they drew on the influences of 1970s pop music, including Harry Nilsson
, ELO
and The Beach Boys
, and decided to collaborate with Redd Kross
founder Steven Shane McDonald
whom they brought on as record producer. But Atlantic Records executives were not impressed by the 1970s-pop-influenced demos and released The Format from its contract. Upon completing the album, Dog Problems
, Ruess and Means, with help from their management company, decided to release it themselves through their newly established imprint label: The Vanity Label. Two months prior to the album's release, an MP3
version was leaked to the internet. In response, The Format decided to make the album immediately available digitally for only $7.99 via the Nettwerk
Music Store, which led to the sale of over 2,000 digital copies prior to the album's official release. Dog Problems
was released in stores on July 11, 2006. The day the album was released, an episode of MTV
's My Super Sweet 16
featuring The Format aired, on which they performed at a birthday-graduation party for Priya and Divya Kothapalli.
Following the release of Dog Problems, The Format gained more attention, receiving high marks from various publications, even topping some Best of 2006 lists.
In 2006 The Format toured near constantly, supporting their own album Dog Problems
as well as supporting The All American Rejects in September in the UK.
In 2007, The Format played a show in Tokyo, Japan, was featured on Last Call with Carson Daly
twice, co-headlined with Guster
on their Campus Consciousness tour, and toured with Reubens Accomplice, Piebald
, Limbeck
, Steel Train
, and The Honorary Title
.
The Japanese edition of Dog Problems, featuring a cover of Jellyfish
's "Glutton of Sympathy" as a bonus track, was released on January 24, 2007.
On June 25, 2007, celebrating the one year anniversary of Dog Problems
, The Format offered the album in its entirety, including the liner notes in PDF form, for free on their official website. The offer was valid from June 25 to July 16, 2007. As of July 10, 2007, 36,000 people had downloaded the album.
On February 4, 2008, The Format announced that they will be putting the band on hiatus, with Nate Ruess posting the following message on the band's website:
Means has completed solo work, including scoring the soundtrack to the film The Sinking of Santa Isabel, as well as forming Destry
with former Straylight Run
singer Michelle DaRosa.
When asked about the band getting back together, Ruess acknowledged that "every one of us like to remain optimistic and hopeful that it one day could happen."
Ruess has formed a new band called fun.
with Andrew Dost of Anathallo
and Jack Antonoff of Steel Train
. Fun began recording their debut album in September with producer Steven Shane McDonald
, arranger Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
; It was released on August 25, 2009.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band formed by Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
natives Nate Ruess and Sam Means. The band announced a hiatus on February 4, 2008. Their style can be considered a mixture of indie, alternative, punk and folk music, with elements of 1960s and 1970s pop music. Though Means and Ruess are the foremost members of the band, they have toured and recorded with Mike Schey, Mark Buzard, Don Raymond, and—for the DVD recording and summer 2007 tour—The Honorary Title
The Honorary Title
The Honorary Title was an indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York. The band released their first self titled Ep "The Honorary Title" in 2003 and then their first album in 2004, Anything Else But the Truth, which was later re-released with five additional songs and two bonus videos.In early 2007...
's current drummer and The Format alumnus Adam Boyd. The Format chose their name to make fun of the music industry's inclination towards a cookie-cutter "format" for a hit.
History
Before forming The Format in 2001, Means and Ruess, who had been friends since grade school, had been part of the band Nevergonnascore and released the EP "The Byron Sessions" as well as the band This Past Year, which had generated some record label interest but not a deal.The duo's first single, aptly titled "The First Single
The First Single
"The First Single" was the first and only single from The Format's debut album, Interventions + Lullabies.-Track listing:...
" from their five song demo, EP, became locally popular on Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
radio station KEDJ
KEDJ
KEXX is a commercial radio station located in Phoenix, Arizona, broadcasting to the Phoenix Metropolitan Area on 103.9 FM. KEXX airs a modern rock music format branded as "X 103-9". In July 2009, the station added less commercials and plays deeper tracks rather than just radio hits unlike normal...
and led to the duo signing with Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
in 2002. Their first studio album, Interventions + Lullabies
Interventions + Lullabies
Interventions + Lullabies is the first album and second release by American rock band, The Format. Produced and recorded by R. Walt Vincent, it was released on October 21, 2003 on Elektra Records. While the album is considered to be quite radio friendly, it did not produce any hit singles. This is...
, recorded and produced by R. Walt Vincent
R. Walt Vincent
R. Walt Vincent is a Los Angeles based record producer, recording engineer, composer, and multi instrumentalist known for his work with indie rock icons Pete Yorn, Liz Phair, and Tommy Keene....
and released in October 2003, was very successful around the Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
area. Despite the lack of support and marketing from their record company (no video, no major promotions, no push for radio play outside of Phoenix), the band's fan base grew due to word of mouth, the Internet, and extensive touring. The album sold over 100,000 copies in the US.
After Elektra folded, The Format released a second EP, Snails with sister label Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
in April 2005. As they began to work on their second full-length album, they drew on the influences of 1970s pop music, including Harry Nilsson
Harry Nilsson
Harry Edward Nilsson III was an American singer-songwriter who achieved the peak of his commercial success in the early 1970s. On all but his earliest recordings he is credited as Nilsson...
, ELO
ELO
- Music :* Electric Light Orchestra, a British rock music group** The Electric Light Orchestra , the group's debut album** ELO 2, the group's second album* ELO Part II, an offshoot band of Electric Light Orchestra- Sports and games :...
and The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
, and decided to collaborate with Redd Kross
Redd Kross
Redd Kross, a rock band from Hawthorne, California had their roots in 1978 in a band called The Tourists begun by Jeff and Steve McDonald while the brothers were still in middle school...
founder Steven Shane McDonald
Steven Shane McDonald
Steven Shane McDonald is the bass player in the Los Angeles alternative rock/power pop band Redd Kross. He is also a member of the hardcore punk band OFF!, which formed in late 2009. Other projects included The SMG and Green and Yellow TV - both were Los Angeles-based groups from the 2000s...
whom they brought on as record producer. But Atlantic Records executives were not impressed by the 1970s-pop-influenced demos and released The Format from its contract. Upon completing the album, Dog Problems
Dog Problems
Dog Problems is the second album and fourth release by American rock band, The Format. It was released on July 11, 2006, on The Vanity Label, The Format's own record label through their management company, Nettwerk. An MP3 version of Dog Problems leaked to the internet almost two months before its...
, Ruess and Means, with help from their management company, decided to release it themselves through their newly established imprint label: The Vanity Label. Two months prior to the album's release, an MP3
MP3
MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
version was leaked to the internet. In response, The Format decided to make the album immediately available digitally for only $7.99 via the Nettwerk
Nettwerk
The Nettwerk Music Group is the umbrella company for Nettwerk Management, Nettwerk Records, Nettwerk One Publishing, Nutone Records, and Artwerk. With over 150 employees, the Vancouver-based company has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Boston, Nashville, and Hamburg...
Music Store, which led to the sale of over 2,000 digital copies prior to the album's official release. Dog Problems
Dog Problems
Dog Problems is the second album and fourth release by American rock band, The Format. It was released on July 11, 2006, on The Vanity Label, The Format's own record label through their management company, Nettwerk. An MP3 version of Dog Problems leaked to the internet almost two months before its...
was released in stores on July 11, 2006. The day the album was released, an episode of MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's My Super Sweet 16
My Super Sweet 16
My Super Sweet 16 is an MTV reality series documenting the lives of teenagers, usually in the United States, Canada and UK, who usually have wealthy parents that throw huge coming of age celebrations. Parties include the quinceañera , the sweet 16, and other birthdays including a My Super Sweet 21 ...
featuring The Format aired, on which they performed at a birthday-graduation party for Priya and Divya Kothapalli.
Following the release of Dog Problems, The Format gained more attention, receiving high marks from various publications, even topping some Best of 2006 lists.
In 2006 The Format toured near constantly, supporting their own album Dog Problems
Dog Problems
Dog Problems is the second album and fourth release by American rock band, The Format. It was released on July 11, 2006, on The Vanity Label, The Format's own record label through their management company, Nettwerk. An MP3 version of Dog Problems leaked to the internet almost two months before its...
as well as supporting The All American Rejects in September in the UK.
In 2007, The Format played a show in Tokyo, Japan, was featured on Last Call with Carson Daly
Last Call with Carson Daly
Last Call with Carson Daly is an American late night talk show that is broadcast on NBC. The show is hosted by Carson Daly, the half-hour show featuring celebrity interviews, documentary-style coverage of a topic, and musical performances. Last Call airs weeknights at 1:35 a.m. Eastern / 12:35 a.m....
twice, co-headlined with Guster
Guster
Guster is an American alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 1991, the group is known for its live performances and humor, founding members Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, and Brian Rosenworcel came about to begin practice sessions while attending Tufts University in Medford,...
on their Campus Consciousness tour, and toured with Reubens Accomplice, Piebald
Piebald
A piebald or pied animal is one that has a spotting pattern of large unpigmented, usually white, areas of hair, feathers, or scales and normally pigmented patches, generally black. The colour of the animal's skin underneath its coat is also pigmented under the dark patches and unpigmented under...
, Limbeck
Limbeck
Limbeck was an alternative country band, with pop-punk roots, hailing from Orange County, California.-Background:Originating in Laguna Niguel, California, Limbeck featured Robb MacLean on lead vocals and guitar, Patrick Carrie guitar and backing vocals, Justin Entsminger on bass, and Jon Phillip,...
, Steel Train
Steel Train
Steel Train is an indie rock band from New Jersey. They have toured with Tegan and Sara, Girl in a Coma, Ben Folds, The Fray, Silversun Pickups, Hanson, The Format, Gomez, O.A.R., Barenaked Ladies, Fun and others...
, and The Honorary Title
The Honorary Title
The Honorary Title was an indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York. The band released their first self titled Ep "The Honorary Title" in 2003 and then their first album in 2004, Anything Else But the Truth, which was later re-released with five additional songs and two bonus videos.In early 2007...
.
The Japanese edition of Dog Problems, featuring a cover of Jellyfish
Jellyfish (band)
Jellyfish were a power pop band from San Francisco. It formed after Beatnik Beatch broke up in 1989. The core members were drummer/singer/songwriter Andy Sturmer and keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter Roger Joseph Manning, Jr...
's "Glutton of Sympathy" as a bonus track, was released on January 24, 2007.
On June 25, 2007, celebrating the one year anniversary of Dog Problems
Dog Problems
Dog Problems is the second album and fourth release by American rock band, The Format. It was released on July 11, 2006, on The Vanity Label, The Format's own record label through their management company, Nettwerk. An MP3 version of Dog Problems leaked to the internet almost two months before its...
, The Format offered the album in its entirety, including the liner notes in PDF form, for free on their official website. The offer was valid from June 25 to July 16, 2007. As of July 10, 2007, 36,000 people had downloaded the album.
On February 4, 2008, The Format announced that they will be putting the band on hiatus, with Nate Ruess posting the following message on the band's website:
Means has completed solo work, including scoring the soundtrack to the film The Sinking of Santa Isabel, as well as forming Destry
Destry (band)
Destry is an indie folk band centered around Michelle DaRosa. Formerly a vocalist for Straylight Run, on June 3, 2008 Michelle left Straylight Run on friendly terms to pursue a solo career, beginning Destry soon after....
with former Straylight Run
Straylight Run
Straylight Run was an indie rock band based in Baldwin, New York. Two of the members, Nolan and Cooper, had been members of Taking Back Sunday and have now rejoined that band. Their final releases are the EPs About Time and Un Mas Dos, preceded by the full-length album entitled The Needles The...
singer Michelle DaRosa.
When asked about the band getting back together, Ruess acknowledged that "every one of us like to remain optimistic and hopeful that it one day could happen."
Ruess has formed a new band called fun.
Fun (band)
Fun is an American indie pop band based in New York, New York that was formed by Nate Ruess, formerly of The Format. After the 2008 breakup of The Format, Ruess left Arizona to develop his career in New York City. Ruess then formed Fun with Andrew Dost of Anathallo and Jack Antonoff of Steel Train...
with Andrew Dost of Anathallo
Anathallo
Anathallo was a band originally from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and then based in Chicago, Illinois. The band started practicing in the fall of 2000 and played their first show soon afterward. Their name is derived from a Greek word meaning "to renew, refresh or bloom again."In 2006 Anathallo released...
and Jack Antonoff of Steel Train
Steel Train
Steel Train is an indie rock band from New Jersey. They have toured with Tegan and Sara, Girl in a Coma, Ben Folds, The Fray, Silversun Pickups, Hanson, The Format, Gomez, O.A.R., Barenaked Ladies, Fun and others...
. Fun began recording their debut album in September with producer Steven Shane McDonald
Steven Shane McDonald
Steven Shane McDonald is the bass player in the Los Angeles alternative rock/power pop band Redd Kross. He is also a member of the hardcore punk band OFF!, which formed in late 2009. Other projects included The SMG and Green and Yellow TV - both were Los Angeles-based groups from the 2000s...
, arranger Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. is an American keyboard player and founding member of bands Jellyfish, Imperial Drag, The Moog Cookbook, and TV Eyes. He has also spent several years as an integral member of Beck's backing band, and made contributions to several recordings by the band Air. He is...
; It was released on August 25, 2009.
Studio albums
- Interventions + LullabiesInterventions + LullabiesInterventions + Lullabies is the first album and second release by American rock band, The Format. Produced and recorded by R. Walt Vincent, it was released on October 21, 2003 on Elektra Records. While the album is considered to be quite radio friendly, it did not produce any hit singles. This is...
(Elektra, 2003) - Dog ProblemsDog ProblemsDog Problems is the second album and fourth release by American rock band, The Format. It was released on July 11, 2006, on The Vanity Label, The Format's own record label through their management company, Nettwerk. An MP3 version of Dog Problems leaked to the internet almost two months before its...
(The Vanity Label, 2006)
Compilations
- B-Sides & RaritiesB-Sides & Rarities (The Format album)B-Sides & Rarities is the first compilation album by the Arizona based indie rock band The Format. A CD version was available for a limited time with every purchase of thirty dollars or more on The Format's webstore.-Track listing:...
(The Vanity Label, 2007)
EPs
- EP (Western Tread, 2002)
- Snails (AtlanticAtlantic RecordsAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, 2005) - Live from the Living Room: Volume OneLive From The Living Room: Volume OneLive from the Living Room: Volume One is a free digital EP from American rock band, The Format. It was released in The Living Room, the fan club section of their website, on March 10, 2006. The inclusion of "Volume One" in the title implies that it was intended to be the first in a series of releases...
(The Vanity LabelThe Vanity LabelThe Vanity Label is an American record label created by Nate Ruess and Sam Means of The Format, the label’s only signed artist . The company was created by Ruess and Means subsequent the absorption of Elektra Records into Atlantic Records Group in 2004, as The Format was dropped from the newly...
, 2006) - And Now I Hope You're Alright - Live in CaliforniaAnd Now I Hope You're Alright - Live in CaliforniaAnd Now I Hope You're Alright – Live in California is a Live EP by American rock band, The Format. It was released on October 24, 2006 on The Vanity Label...
(The Vanity Label, 2006) - The Format Live: Exporting Insecurity (The Vanity Label, 2006)
Singles
- "The First SingleThe First Single"The First Single" was the first and only single from The Format's debut album, Interventions + Lullabies.-Track listing:...
" (Elektra, 2003) - "The Compromise" (The Vanity Label, 2006)
- "Time Bomb" (The Vanity Label, 2006)
- "Apeman" (The Vanity Label, 2006)
- "She Doesn't Get It" (The Vanity Label, 2006)
- "Dog Problems" (The Vanity Label, 2006)
Soundtracks
- "On Your Porch" featured on Veronica MarsVeronica MarsVeronica Mars is an American television series created by Rob Thomas. The series premiered on September 22, 2004, during television network UPN's final two years, and ended on May 22, 2007, after a season on UPN's successor, The CW Television Network. Veronica Mars was produced by Warner Bros...
and was included on Veronica Mars: Original Television Soundtrack (Nettwerk, 2005). - "The First Single" was featured in the second season of One Tree HillOne Tree Hill (TV series)One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
and on the online game Dance! OnlineDance! OnlineDANCE! Online was a downloadable massively multiplayer online music video game produced by David Perry and published by Acclaim in North America. It is a free-to-download PC title that largely resembles a combination of Audition Online and Dance Dance Revolution series. It is based on the Chinese...
. - "Give It Up" can be heard playing faintly in the movie National TreasureNational treasureThe idea of national treasure, like national epics and national anthems, is part of the language of Romantic nationalism, which arose in the late 18th century and 19th centuries. Nationalism is an ideology which supports the nation as the fundamental unit of human social life, which includes shared...
. - "Inches And Falling" was used as the main soundtrack for the 2006 movie Wedding DazeWedding DazeWedding Daze is a 2006 romantic comedy movie, written and directed by Michael Ian Black. It stars Jason Biggs and Isla Fisher.-Plot:...
. - The single "The Compromise" is also featured on The Sims 2: PetsThe Sims 2: PetsThe Sims 2: Pets is the fourth expansion pack in The Sims 2 series of games, as well as a stand-alone game for several consoles. It is published by Electronic Arts...
, with the words being sung in simlishSimlishSimlish is a fictional language featured in EA Games' Sim series of games. It debuted in SimCopter, and has been especially prominent in The Sims, The Sims 2 and The Sims 3. The Sims development team created the unique Simlish language by experimenting with fractured Ukrainian, French, Latin,...
. - The song "Wait, Wait, Wait" appeared briefly in the background of the episode "Malcolm Visits College" of the series Malcolm in the MiddleMalcolm in the MiddleMalcolm in the Middle is an American television sitcom created by Linwood Boomer for the Fox Network. The series was first broadcast on January 9, 2000, and ended its six-and-a-half-year run on May 14, 2006, after seven seasons and 151 episodes...
. - "Swans" was written especially for the film Moving McAllisterMoving McAllisterMoving McAllister is a 2007 American comedy film starring Mila Kunis, Jon Heder, Rutger Hauer, and Billy Drago. The film was shot largely in Utah and St Johns County, Florida and was produced by Camera 40 Productions...
. - "Let's Make This Moment A Crime" appeared in the soundtrack of Laguna BeachLaguna Beach: The Real Orange CountyLaguna Beach: The Real Orange County, often referred to simply as Laguna Beach, is a reality television series which originally aired on MTV from September 28, 2004 until November 16, 2006. It documents the lives of several teenagers living in Laguna Beach, an affluent seaside community located in...
Episode 10, "The First To Go". - "Tune Out" is being featured on the Hollister Co.Hollister Co.Hollister Co., sometimes advertised as Hollister or HCo., is an American lifestyle brand by Abercrombie & Fitch Co. The concept was originally designed to attract consumers aged 14–18 through its SoCal-inspired image and casual wear. Goods are available in-store and through the company's online store...
store soundtrack ("Jukebox") as of November 4, 2008.
Various artists compilations
- Light of Day: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen (Schoolhouse Records, 2003) - "For YouGreetings from Asbury Park, N.J.Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. is the first studio album by Bruce Springsteen, released in 1973. It only sold about 25,000 copies in the first year of its release, but had significant critical impact...
" - Listen To Bob Dylan: A Tribute (Drive-ThruDrive-Thru RecordsDrive-Thru Records, established in 1996, was a California-based record label owned by siblings Richard and Stefanie Reines. It has produced various pop punk bands, many with a distinct SoCal sound....
, 2005) - "Simple Twist of FateSimple Twist of Fate"Simple Twist of Fate" is a song by Bob Dylan, released on his 15th studio album Blood on the Tracks in 1975.It was first covered by Joan Baez on Diamonds & Rust , and has been reinterpreted by several artists since: by the Jerry Garcia Band on their 2-disc live album Jerry Garcia Band and Run for...
" - Drive-Thru Records and Purevolume.com (Drive-Thru, 2005) - "Tie The Rope"
- Acoustic Live & Rare 2006 & Last Character Standing, Vol. V (The Edge 103.9 fmKEDJKEXX is a commercial radio station located in Phoenix, Arizona, broadcasting to the Phoenix Metropolitan Area on 103.9 FM. KEXX airs a modern rock music format branded as "X 103-9". In July 2009, the station added less commercials and plays deeper tracks rather than just radio hits unlike normal...
) - "The Compromise (Acoustic)" - A Santa Cause: It's a Punk Rock Christmas (Immortal RecordsImmortal RecordsImmortal Records is an independent record label out of Los Angeles, California. Founded by Happy Walters in 1994, the label had helped launched the careers of such influential acts as Korn, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Incubus over the years. The label had also released soundtracks, including Judgment...
, Vol 2: December 5, 2006) - "Holly Jolly Christmas" - For the Kids Three - "Does Your Cat Have a Mustache?"
- Phoenix: We Love It - "Yeah Yeah"