The Format

Self-described as a "desert pop" band, the Format materialized around two friends, vocalist Nate Ruess and multi-instrumentalist Sam Means, in the early 2000s. Taking influence from '60s music to craft their own spirited indie pop melodies, the Arizona-based pair issued their debut full-length, Interventions and Lullabies, in 2000 and followed it with the Snails EP in 2005. The group was eventually, and willingly, dropped from Atlantic when the label could not see eye to eye with the band's musical vision. Upon the split, other majors approached the Format, but they ultimately decided to release their next album, Dog Problems, through their own imprint, Vanity Label Records. ~ Corey Apar