In Remembrance: The Format
The Format no longer exists - but we remember their catchy, infectious collection.
As many of you may know, fun.’s debut album dropped last week, and if you’re anything like me, you undoubtedly loved it. And if you didn’t – well screw you. Writing about fun. and just how much I love them got me thinking about a different band, and arguably the reason fun. exists, The Format.
I’m a little embarrassed to be admitting this, but The Format is yet another band I didn’t start listening to until after their break-up, which, like discovering any other awesome band only to find out they broke up years ago, is remarkably disappointing. Despite the fact that I’m quite content with fun., who some may argue are better than The Format anyway, I still love The Format and therein believe that they broke up way too soon.
For anyone unaware of who The Format were let me be the first to inform you; The Format were an indie pop due consisting of Nate Ruess and Sam Means. Although nearly all the band’s recordings an live performances included Mike Schey, Don Raymond and Mark “Marko” Buzard in addition to Ruess and Means, The band started with, and essentially always was a duo.
Their music, while catchy and lighthearted, was often interlaced with intelligent and somber lyrical themes, dealing in the areas of lost love, alcohol issues, and record label woes. With Ruess commanding the lyrical and vocal aspects of the group, Sam Means coordinated song layout and played many was featured on many miscellaneous instruments throughout the band’s lifetime.
The Format formed in Phoenix in 2001 and by 2002 bad released their first recording, and EP jocularly named, EP. “The First Single,” once again, jocularly named to be the band’s first single got started to receive notable airtime on local radio stations, which in turn attracted the attention of Elektra Records. Elektra Records would later sign The Format and push the release of their first LP, Interventions + Lullabies in 2003.
Shortly after the release of Interventions + Lullabies, Elektra Records was absorbed into Atlantic Records, who, thereupon decided not to invest anymore time or efforts into the album. After the release of their first album they took to the road where they toured with the likes of Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday. In 2005 they released their second EP, Snails. After Snails The Format returned to the studio to work on their first album in over two years. The album was recorded shortly after their former label, Atlantic Records, dropped them after disagreements over the band’s artistic freedom.
Dog Problems was produced by Steven McDonald and included instrumental work by numerous musicians. The album was released in July 2006 to positive reviews. The title and subject content of the album focus mainly on Ruess and his personal problems as well as relationship issues. The title is derived from the three dogs that were left in Ruess’ possession after a lengthy, troubled relationship. Dog Problems was released on The Vanity Label, a label run by members of the format in accordance to their management company, Nettwerk.
In 2006 The Format also released two live EPs and supported The All-American Rejects on tour. In 2007 the band released a compilation album consisting of unreleased, acoustic, and cover songs through The Vanity Label. In early 2008 Ruess announced via the band’s website that they would be postponing the release of their next album indefinitely, essentially putting the band on an indefinite hiatus.
Just five months after the breakup Ruess announced that he had started a new band that would be finishing several of the songs that had been in the works for The Format’s un-made album. This band would later become fun. and include musicians that The Format had toured with in the past. Sam Means is currently married and owns and operates his own merch company called Hello Merch, which works with dozens of incredible bands.
Posted by Andrew Scott on Aug 31, 2009 @ 12:00 am
