The Format was riding on the success of its last album “Dog Problems,” touring with Guster and the All-American Rejects and appearing on MTV shows when the band’s hiatus was announced.The Format’s lead singer Nate Ruess soon formed fun. and about 150 fans of the new group “clapped their hands and stomped their feet” to songs off fun.’s debut album “Aim and Ignite” and a couple of The Format’s songs Sunday night at the Maintenance Shop.

Ruess, fun.’s lead singer and an Iowa City native, said on stage he was “a little bitch kid.” He said he constantly became ill with pneumonia while in Iowa. The situation is referenced in lyrics of “The Gambler,” which Ruess says is about how his parents began dating in Iowa.

Many fans have followed the 27-year-old Ruess from The Format to the new band. fun. was formed in 2008 when Ruess teamed up with Andrew Dost, of Anathallo, and Jack Antonoff, of Steel Train.

Details about The Format’s demise remain unclear. When asked about the split, Ruess took a moment to think before replying, “I don’t really know. I think it was just one of those situations where Sam [Means, of The Format] didn’t want to do it anymore.”

Ruess said the moment his former band ended, he traveled to New York and put all of his focus into what became the eccentric pop band fun. Fans have been won over by a debut album full of energy, horns and “real” lyrics.

“There’s a lot of passion in their performance, which goes well with what they write about,” said Nick Tillinghast, junior in pre-journalism and mass communication. “They’re not just putting on a show.”

Ruess explains the showtunes-like aspect of his new band comes from the members having theater in all of their lives. Ruess’ uncle performed on Broadway and Dost wrote a musical. “Jack is a theater dork,” Ruess said.

fun.’s songs even include the influence of The Muppets, such as on “Light A Roman Candle.” Ruess takes it as a compliment, saying, “those people are great composers.” “Light A Roman Candle” was written by Dost, who Ruess says is a fan of The Muppets.

Ruess admits it can be difficult with Antonoff still involved with Steel Train.

He said having Antonoff and Dost writing with him in the new group has taken a lot of weight off his shoulders compared to his days with The Format.

ISU alumnus Tyler Dahle left the Sunday show saying it was “the most intense show ever. There was a lot of energy.”

Dahle said he’d travel to see the band anytime they come within 100 miles of him.

“I saw them playing acoustic opening for Jack’s Mannequin in Omaha, and once I heard the CD I had to come see them,” Tillinghast said.

Nearly every headlining show fun. has played has sold out, Ruess claims while saying at the same time he thought things would be much harder starting a new group.

“Things have been surprisingly awesome — the record is selling fast, our shows have been bumped to larger venues, it’s been surprisingly great,” he said.

Ruess was nervous The Format’s fans wouldn’t have been won over as quickly as they were.

He hopes to be return to Iowa soon and thinks it most likely won’t be until 2010.

“If nothing else, there’s a family reunion on July 4 I want to be at,” he laughs.

Band members: Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost, Jack Antonoff

Live touring members: Rob Kroehler, Emily Moore, Nate Harold, Jon Goldstein

Original photos available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/42640089@N08/