Rank & File
Formed in Los Angeles in 1981, Rank And File comprised of former members of the Dils, Chip Kinman (guitar/vocals) and Tony Kinman (bass/vocals), and ex- Nuns’ guitarist/vocalist Alejandro Escovedo. Drummer Slim Evans completed the line-up featured on SUNDOWN, an exemplary blend of new wave and country. The album included Amanda Ruth, later recorded by the The Everly Brothers. The Kinman brothers then took control of the group and, having moved to Austin, Texas, completed LONG GONE DEAD with session musicians, including Richard Greene (fiddle) and Stan Lynch, drummer with Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers. The new set emphasized the duo's love of pop melody, but the contents were still infused with C&W. A long hiatus ensued, but their third album proved a major disappointment, lacking the verve and charm of its predecessors. Rank And File was then disbanded with the Kinmans later founding Blackbird. Escovedo reappeared leading the acclaimed True Believers before embarking on a solo career.