The Rank Deluxe

The Rank Deluxe, an indie rock outfit steeped in punk and reggae, surged to prominence not long after assembling in 2005. Lewis Dyer on vocals and guitar joined forces with Richard Buchanan, likewise handling vocals and guitar, after the pair first connected in Thamesmead, U.K., and launched an earlier project called the Method. Multiple departures later prompted auditions that brought aboard Chris Ballard on drums and John Wellis on bass. Three singles issued in 2006 immediately drew notice from NME, Uncut, and Xfm DJ John Kennedy. U.K. tours and dates in Budapest, Hungary, preceded the group’s American debut at CMJ. Early in 2008 the band put out the single “Tightrope,” with its full-length debut slated for the same year.