Interview: Dirty Rats
On December 13, 2019 Melbourne-based Rock'n'Roll band will release their new album "End in Tears". The band was founded in the late 80s an re-grouped after some time out in 2016.
I got the chance to interview bass player Jamie.
We had a great talk about Rock'n'Roll music back then and today, drinks, and what is to be expected by the Rats in the future.
Hi, and thanks for taking your time for this interview! You are about to release your second album within only 12 months. Seems like you’re on fire. What can the people expect from Dirty Rats in 2020?
Hello folks. Jamie here !
We are working on a Japan tour. Possibly Europe later in the year. I’m keen to release an ep of cover songs. I have no idea why I want to do this. We will start writing the next album as well.
Your new album contains 13 songs and will be released on Friday 13 December. Just coincidence or are you having a deal with Satan?
Look, I called Satan and tried to get him on board, he's a big fan of The Rats, we are old mates. But he's pretty busy trying to sort out some wars and stuff at the moment. So, he said why don’t you release it on Friday the 13th and I will try and fit in some sort of minor catastrophe to help draw attention to it. He's a bloody lovely bloke.
The Dirty Rats started in the 80s, then paused for 25 years. Can you name any major differences in the way Hard Rock, Rock’n’Roll, and Blues Rock are perceived nowadays compared to in the 80s?
To quote AC/DC "Rock'n'Roll is just Rock'n'Roll". I still get off on Chuck Berry. So I think good music is timeless. We still listen to Bach!
The biggest difference is the way it’s distrusted. It’s so much easier to get music heard around the world now. I love it!
A new album screams for a release tour. Will you be on the road promoting “End in Tears” for some time? And are there dates outside of Australia planned, yet?
Yeah we’re working on tours of Japan, Europe and if we can get the visa stuff sorted, we will go to the USA. Our last CD is for sale in Amoeba Records in LA. So, we really should go there....lol. Got to do dates in Australia as well. We should get onto this.....
One of my favourite songs on your new album is ‘My Life is a Cliché’. Can you tell me if there is a story behind that song, or what you wanted to express by it?
Yeah, there is a story. No idea what it is. Wayne wrote it so it’s probably about his life, which is a cliché Lol !
Where does the song writing of the Dirty Rats take place? In the rehearsal room while jamming, in the pub, on the job, in a café, somewhere completely else?
There isn’t a hard and fast rule. Usually I have riff and I send it to Wayne and he puts words to it. Then we get together and sort out an arrangement. Sometimes Wayne sends me a finished song. But his tunes are always shit so I throw them out and rewrite the music!
Your new album “End in Tears” is a powerload of highspeed Hard Rock and Blues-Driven Rock’n’Roll. In the song ‘Rat Rock’ you say ‘Rock’n’Roll and alcohol have always been my thing’. What’s your fuel?
Cold beer, green tea, speeding on the highway, whiskey?
Wayne drinks Pear Cider. How Rock’n’Roll! I’m a Jack Daniel’s man. Andy is a beer drinker and Chooka.... he’s into everything. Essentially though it’s the buzz of playing live!
How do you rate the music scene in your home town Melbourne? What is missing, what pleases you?
It is crap for original bands. Venues only want to book tribute bands!
I have no interest in tributes. There are some venues that put on original bands, God bless them. Satan loves original bands by the way!!!!
And are there other underrated artists you recommend us listening to?
Yes. DIRTY RATS!
Thank you so much for your time! Hope to hear more from you soon. Do you have any final words for the readers or shoutouts?
Buy our stuff. Be nice to your mum. See you on the road !
For more info about the Dirty Rats check their website and follow them on Facebook.
I got the chance to interview bass player Jamie.
We had a great talk about Rock'n'Roll music back then and today, drinks, and what is to be expected by the Rats in the future.
Hi, and thanks for taking your time for this interview! You are about to release your second album within only 12 months. Seems like you’re on fire. What can the people expect from Dirty Rats in 2020?
Hello folks. Jamie here !
We are working on a Japan tour. Possibly Europe later in the year. I’m keen to release an ep of cover songs. I have no idea why I want to do this. We will start writing the next album as well.
Your new album contains 13 songs and will be released on Friday 13 December. Just coincidence or are you having a deal with Satan?
Look, I called Satan and tried to get him on board, he's a big fan of The Rats, we are old mates. But he's pretty busy trying to sort out some wars and stuff at the moment. So, he said why don’t you release it on Friday the 13th and I will try and fit in some sort of minor catastrophe to help draw attention to it. He's a bloody lovely bloke.
The Dirty Rats started in the 80s, then paused for 25 years. Can you name any major differences in the way Hard Rock, Rock’n’Roll, and Blues Rock are perceived nowadays compared to in the 80s?
To quote AC/DC "Rock'n'Roll is just Rock'n'Roll". I still get off on Chuck Berry. So I think good music is timeless. We still listen to Bach!
The biggest difference is the way it’s distrusted. It’s so much easier to get music heard around the world now. I love it!
A new album screams for a release tour. Will you be on the road promoting “End in Tears” for some time? And are there dates outside of Australia planned, yet?
Yeah we’re working on tours of Japan, Europe and if we can get the visa stuff sorted, we will go to the USA. Our last CD is for sale in Amoeba Records in LA. So, we really should go there....lol. Got to do dates in Australia as well. We should get onto this.....
One of my favourite songs on your new album is ‘My Life is a Cliché’. Can you tell me if there is a story behind that song, or what you wanted to express by it?
Yeah, there is a story. No idea what it is. Wayne wrote it so it’s probably about his life, which is a cliché Lol !
Where does the song writing of the Dirty Rats take place? In the rehearsal room while jamming, in the pub, on the job, in a café, somewhere completely else?
There isn’t a hard and fast rule. Usually I have riff and I send it to Wayne and he puts words to it. Then we get together and sort out an arrangement. Sometimes Wayne sends me a finished song. But his tunes are always shit so I throw them out and rewrite the music!
Your new album “End in Tears” is a powerload of highspeed Hard Rock and Blues-Driven Rock’n’Roll. In the song ‘Rat Rock’ you say ‘Rock’n’Roll and alcohol have always been my thing’. What’s your fuel?
Cold beer, green tea, speeding on the highway, whiskey?
Wayne drinks Pear Cider. How Rock’n’Roll! I’m a Jack Daniel’s man. Andy is a beer drinker and Chooka.... he’s into everything. Essentially though it’s the buzz of playing live!
How do you rate the music scene in your home town Melbourne? What is missing, what pleases you?
It is crap for original bands. Venues only want to book tribute bands!
I have no interest in tributes. There are some venues that put on original bands, God bless them. Satan loves original bands by the way!!!!
And are there other underrated artists you recommend us listening to?
Yes. DIRTY RATS!
Thank you so much for your time! Hope to hear more from you soon. Do you have any final words for the readers or shoutouts?
Buy our stuff. Be nice to your mum. See you on the road !
For more info about the Dirty Rats check their website and follow them on Facebook.
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