The Rakes ready new album

An ex DDR radio station in east Berlin is currently the setting for the recording of The Rakes 3rd album due for release in Spring 2009.

The band have relocated to an industrial area in the old east part of Berlin, living and recording in the grounds of a Bauhaus designed ex-Soviet radio station that has been converted into a studio.

After writing of what they say are "their strongest songs to date" for the as yet untitled album, The Rakes decided that fresh songs need a fresh and exciting new environment.

"The London music scene is so dull right now - it's like wading through a swamp of shit. We just wanted to be somewhere more inspiring," said Rakes singer Alan Donohoe.

"Someone suggested Berlin. It didn't take long for everyone to agree, we packed our bags and moved here just like that. We love it."

Working with a brand new producer Chris Zane (Les Savy Fav, The Walkmen). Alan Donohoe said, "The album is raw, playful, exciting, complex and schizophrenic - much like the personality of Berlin itself. It couldn't be more of a fitting place to record it. Chris has found this raw but massive sound, it's sharp like razors; like pouring boiling bleach on our peers."