Rank and File

For this phrase as game terminology, see Glossary of chess.

Rank and File
Genres	Alternative country Cowpunk Post-punk New Wave
Years active	1981—1987
Associated acts	The Dils The Nuns True Believers
Past members
Chip Kinman Tony Kinman Alejandro Escovedo Slim Evans

Formed by brothers Chip and Tony Kinman after they split up their punk band the Dils, Rank and File were a roots rock post-punk band. The Kinmans' singing was distinctive; they weren't traditional harmony singers à la the Everly Brothers, but rather sang synchronized upper and lower octaves. The songwriting was wry, heartfelt, and cliché-free. They were so into cowpunk and so far from their hardcore punk beginnings that they even landed a spot on PBS's revered country music showcase Austin City Limits. The band also included former Nuns guitarist Alejandro Escovedo.

Post-breakup

The Kinmans' next project was the synthpop, guitar and drum-machine based, Blackbird. Alejandro Escovedo formed the True Believers with his brother Javier, before launching a solo songwriting and recording career.

Discography

• Sundown (1982) US #165
• Long Gone Dead (1984)
• Rank and File (1987)