Rank are a Hibiscus Coast based punk band that have been together for four years, but very rarely achieve the chance to play.  With five members spread out across New Zealand, the band are only fortunate enough to all be in the same area at the same time very rarely.

Formed originally in 2001 by Tony, Sam, and Bevan, Rank took the typical path of every teenage punk band – crappy Blink 182, MxPx, and Offspring covers in a bedroom with the worst equipment available.   However with the addition of Rowan to the band later that year, they felt the ability to have confidence in playing their own songs.

Some were quite simply shambolic.  Some were less so.  And some were even audible.

Rank started playing regularly in 2002, combining school with the sheer joy and pleasure of playing.  They were able to clock up some great gigs with Mumsdollar, Holdfast, All Left Out, Nevertheless, Cold by Winter, and recorded a four song EP with Dave Barr of Mumsdollar.  One song of that EP, AUNM, even managed to grab a spot in the top 20 of the Underground Show with Aaron Hughes and Scott Lamb (of Cold by Winter fame).  They also added another member to the squad – a Mr Sam Hume who is now known for his work in legendary Coast punk band ‘The Rabble’. 

In early 2003 they played what they thought was their final gig in Aoetea Square, and went separate ways – Tony was headed to Dunedin, Sam to Christchurch, and the others weren’t sure what they were going to do.

After a year of change, and new musical endeavours (Sam H, Tony, and Rowan formed the band Gapshot which took part in the 2003 Underground Tour; Bevan and Tony also joined the short lived emo-punk band Foregone Confusion with good friend Nathan Trebilco) the band were able to get together and play at the Masonic Tavern in Devonport – one of their favourite places to play.

It was after this that reunion seemed somewhat more likely.  Despite both Rowan and Sam H playing in The Rabble (Rowan later left the band), there was still a passion and a love for the music (and being a bunch of jackasses on stage) that hadn’t died.  So whenever together Rank tries to get at least one practice in (despite the fact they need many more) and get a gig together. 

They have also been in the studio again.  In early 2005 they started work on a CD with Simon Toomer of Manakau based ‘My Life Story’, at Abacus Studios recording some old songs that haven’t been done before and a couple of new ones. 

What the future holds is uncertain.  However Rank will be around for a long time in some way, mean, shape, or form, having a laugh and playing some tunes for anyone that cares to listen.