Tag: Trash Brats

Ricky Rat “Songs In C Major Love”

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From the Post-NAFTA, hard-hit ruins and economic devastation of a burnout junkyard, Detroit, where the police union warns you to “visit at your own risk”, comes the debut solo lp from Trash Brats guitarist, Ricky Rat, who has recently relocated to Indiana. For decades, the flamboyant punk-pop pioneer, Ricky Rat, has entertained fans all over the globe with his glammish brand of punk, or punkish brand of glam, reminding some of Mick Ronson, some of Ace Frehley. This exciting new vinyl long player from Tornado Ride Records will appeal to fans of power-pop and 70’s glitter greats like T.Rex, the Romantics, the Records, the Boys, Generation X, Celebrity Skin, and Hollywood Stars. He covers “Time And Space” by eighties new wave pin-ups, Flesh For Lulu, while his other poppy, singalong anthems will remind you of being young, fireworks, cook-outs, all night drunken singalongs, smokin’ cigarettes and starin’ at the moon, and the painful break-up’s that followed. Kid Rock and Jack White may get all the glory and the cash, but beautiful loser, Ricky Rat, is the one with the real, authentic, “Creem Magazine” heart! (-review by FREE)

http://www.discogs.com/Ricky-Rat-Songs-In-C-Major-Love/release/3447057

Thee Trash Brats “American Disaster” (2001)

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It seems like nothing can stop the Detroit BRATS from rocking, and it’s like they’re becoming better and better as the years go by. Indeed, “American Disaster” is a first class TRASH BRATS album, it has the maturity as well as the wildness of their first recordings. Some songs like “Rocket To Heaven”, “Imitation Generation”, “Nice Girl To Visit” or “Who Put The Words In Your Mouth” are all glam punk rockets that will reach the target, that is to say your heart. As far as the sound is concerned, it is still raw, punk, defying this age of technology. The voice is still tuneful, which is not going to disappoint any old fan and could please every NO FX fan. Now, everybody should be aware that the band goes straight to the point, just listen to ‘Must Be The Cocaine”, this is pure rock’n’roll !This is one of the sweetest disaster that America has created. Thee TRASH BRATS keep on doing what they wanna do, come hell or high water, and with this album, they keep their undisputed status of US glam punk heroes.
Laurent C.

Brian McCarty “Lover Forget Me Not”

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At heart, Mister Entertainment, Brian McCarty, is Show-People. An icon of the underground punk, and trashy-glam scene, the former Trash Brat is equally adept at writing tear-in-your-beer, old time country. This record spills over with weary nods to “real folks” storytellers like, Seger, Kristofferson, Prine, and Willie Nelson. Other tunes are shot-through with vivid bursts of that all-too-familiar Motown Soul. Various musical bits hearken back to Stax/Volt, soul-man horns, moonshine porchswings, seventies bubble gum, Archie Bell & The Drells, Elvis funk, Vegas kitsch, Gram Parsons-style torch songs, and maybe even a few scattered glints of…EMO! Brian O’Blivion’s got decades of up-close and personal, field-study under his Evil Kenievil belt-buckle, observing the dangers of dwelling too-long on the edge of the spot-light. “Neon Mirage” is a heart-felt offering about the friendship-eroding effects of glory-whoring, and ruthless, lifestyle-chasing, in this oppurtunistic age, when no one has the guts to stand up for anything beyond the immediate gratifications of doing Coke In The Girl’s Room, and having their picture taken. It’s a wonderful, and maybe even, important song, that’s a little reminiscent of the Rolling Stone’s “Fool To Cry”.
“Outrunning The Ghosts” is a minor, lyrical-masterpiece, about the weight of our memories, and the accompanying decay of our youthful idealism, that invariably accelerates the aging-process. It’s about how easy it is to get sucked-in by all the pretty lights and hollow promises of these hypno-screens, that have long replaced the family hearth, in today’s modern “Go Corporate Or Go Home”-crazed culture. He doesn’t think it’s a good idea to lose touch with what we really value-real music, real relationships, real emotions, real experiences, LOVE and real friends, all for the sake of remaining numb and uninvolved, and perhaps, occasionally, receiving some typically ambitious, self-promotional spam from a random Suicide Girl, on-line.
Brian’s a deep cat, I keep tellin’ people. He’s the sorta fella who’s as comfortable hangin’ out around the campfire with Tom Waits, or David Lee Roth, and he’s probably brought his own stack of Don Ho records to the party, so be forewarned. There’s likely an accordion, or mandolin in his suitcase, somewheres. He’s like a less-conservative Wayne Newton, backed-up, variously, by Johnny Thunders, or the Jordanaires. A serious song-writer first, but also, a song and dance man. All tap-shoes with spats, and a dusty pork-pie hat. O’Blivion’s a throwback to the original Not-Ready-For-Prime-Time-Players, Dean Martin, Liberace, or someone who sold your Gram that big, clunky, 50’s vacuum-cleaner, that still works.
This document would be worth seeking-out, if only for the above-mentioned songs, and the charming, “She’s Playing For Keeps, I’m Playing For Tips”, about the challenges of balancing a life on the road, with a wife and kid.
BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE! Politico-bluegrass, stripped-down at the kitchen table, low-fi blues, compassion for the troops, personality-to-burn, clever rhymes, and a genuinely likable, comedic persona that deserves a variety show of his own, on a cutting-edge cable channel—you could easily see this cat helping to revive “Saturday Night Live”, especially by showcasing his catchy and thought-provoking songs like, “Pharisee”.
A TRASH BRAT for grown-ups, and even summa the rest of us grown-up-wrongs, Brian McCarty is a thoughtful social commentator, and all-around-entertainer. This latest solo l.p. ain’t for everybody, just for people who like to be entertained: “leisure-oriented jeans-wearers of all ages”. (-Courtney Hate)http://www.myspace.com/brianmccartyoblivion

Ricky Rat “Crossfire Summer” 7″

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TRASH BRATS’ guitar player Ricky Rat has just released his first solo album “Songs in C Major Love” and elegantly introduces it with the single “Crossfire Summer”(vinyl on New Fortune Records), a great power pop tune with a well-dosed mix of early KISS and HEARTBREAKERS guitar riffs emphasized by a melodic and catchy chorus. Ricky is on lead vocals with the help of his old bandmate Brian McCarthy and this works very well.
The B-Side is a cover of the BAY CITY ROLLERS ‘classic “Saturday Night”, a song that totally fits with Ricky’s music and glammy universe.
Ricky Rat will be back in Europe in March/April 2012 to tour with his road rock’n’roll comrade Kevin K, and there might even be some solo shows! Meanwhile, you have some very cool tunes to listen to here!/Laurent C.http://www.reverbnation.com/rickyrat

Trash Brats (1999)

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The TRASH BRATS really succeed in mixing the punk rock authenticity and state of mind with the glam image. These guys are not here to compromise, rock’n’roll is in their hearts and they will keep the flame burning, come hell or high water ! Ricky Rat talks…

Can you give us a summary of the TRASH BRATS’ history ?
We have been together since summer of 1987. Me, Brian and Toni have been here the whole time and we had about 5 or so drummers til Craig joined in fall on 1993. We have never had any major deals etc, just been going and going surviving in the “underground” and dealing with mostly all small indie labels, distro etc.  We keep playing the kind of music we want not worrying about trends etc. We’re the Trash Brats, we sound like the Trash Brats, we look like the Trash Brats. We’re us.

I’ve read that you played for 24 hours in Detroit !! Can you tell us more ?
Yes we did a “24 hour show” that was a benefit for this art program here in Detroit that helps out inner city kids. We didn’t actually play the WHOLE 24 hours but did play a hell of a lot both regular electric sets and acoustic and also some help from some of our other friends in Detroit bands etc.

All of us were up the whole time with no naps, etc…so when not playing we were drinking, hangin’ out with friends/fans, etc. It was a really great time despite the awful draggyness of being up soo long. Our last sets the second evening (we played from midnight on a friday to midnight on saturday..!) we actually maybe some of the best ones of the whole show!! It was all captured on video and maybe a “shortened Version” will be released in the future.

I suppose that the audience must be of various kinds at a TRASH BRATS show, do all these people always coexist peacefully ?
Yes ,for the most part our “crowd” does get along. even though our shows are very much uptempo, loud, rockin’, etc we have managed to not get too many macho asshole types metal/punk wise over the years. Some shows are of course more crazier then others but for the most part no one gets hurt or gets onto fights etc. The early days for us here in Detroit were very rough..lotsa shit from skinheads and all the “hardcore punks” as well as the metalheads. For awhile pretty much all the crowds hated us. So, we pretty much developed our own crowd and following which doesn’t fit into any other catagory and does include all sorts of people.

Nowadays, there are many divisions in the punk scene (skate-rock, emo, crust,etc.) Are you interested in all these genres that make this scene so varied ?
 Don’t you think that most of the time, the problems existing between these divisions are just stupid because they are often due to ways of life (those who drink, those who don’t, those who are into politics, those who aren’t…) which is in contradiction with the “live the way you want” punk philosophy ?
Yes, very stupid. To us, “punk rock” was always about doing what ya want, dressing how ya want etc. We found out early on how closed-minded alot of these so called “punks” really can be. Its like we were too punk etc, for the metal scene and too glam or whatever for the punks. And yeah, these days the scenes are more chopped up then ever. Its all rock & roll really, if ya don’t like certain bands or styles etc. just don’t go to the shows or buy the records etc. Support the stuff ya dig and try to stay positive about things. Why waste time putting someone else’s taste down etc?? Do your own thing and worry about yourself first before ya go tryin’ to change the world or something.

What bands do you like to play with in the US ? Any anecdote ?
Texas Terri & the Stiff ones are always great and very fun to play with, as are the Teenage Frames, Jeff Dahl, Sloppy Seconds, Kevin K, Candy Snatchers. We had a really killer time doing some shows with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts last year and on tour in 96. Thommy Price and the rest of the blackhearts loved to go out after the shows and go drinkin’ and do more jamming at local bars etc. We really enjoyed playing with them and getting to meet Joan after diggin’ her music for so many years.

Have you already played in Europe ?
Just one mini-tour of Germany in 1996. But me and Toni (brats’ bass player) have done tours of Japan and Germany, Italy as part of Kevin K’s band. There’s some talk about maybe a TRASH BRATS/KEVIN K double bill-tour later this year in Germany, France, Italy etc.

What would be your five favourite records for the last three months ?
Valley Of The Dolls-Generation X,  Nights Are So Long-Michael Monroe, Unhappy Hour-the Beat Angels,  Muscle Of Love-Alice Cooper Band, Being There-Wilco.

In 1997, you appeared on a PETA benefit, are you interested in animal rights ? Do you often appear on benefit records/tapes ?
We try not to think of ourselves as a “Poltical” band but yeah, that seemed like a good cause to be a part of. I am a vegatarian and Brian doesn’t eat much meat either. I have been away from meat since 1997 and its been working great for me, but its not something I would push on people. But yeah, I am all for animal’s rights very much. We will appear on a benefit comp if we feel its a worthwile cause etc..

Here’s a difficult one for you : choose (and tell us why) between : AC/DC and KISS, The SEX PISTOLS and The CLASH, MOTLEY CRUE and TWISTED SISTER, SOCIAL DISTORTION and BACKYARD BABIES…
Good question! And yes, very hard to answer for most of them… Kiss over AD/DC even though BOTH are really great..at least all their old stuff. I go with Kiss as that was my first favorite band when I was a kid and they pretty much got me into playing rock & roll, so they hold a special place in my heart. But I love Bon Scott era AC/DC just about as much!

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SEX PISTOLS over the CLASH although AGAIN I think BOTH are really great and I love them both. But, I just LOVE The Pistols overall approach, lyrics, SOUND and how much shit they fucked up in such a short amount of time. Just saw the movie “Filth & the Fury”-which was great-and have been back on a Pistols kick again. I love a lot of the Clash stuff but they lose me at times and get a bit artsy-fartsy etc. But again they have so many great songs, a great sound etc….

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yet another hard decision…I guess TWISTED SISTER over MOTLEY CRUE although I love Too Fast For love which was the album for Motley Crue, as they had their own sound then and no one was sounding/looking like that then. But over all, I think Twisted Sister had more good songs over the years and I loved their so over the top look-attitude and a lot of the lyrics, etc. They were even too freaky for most metal heads and punks, unlike motley crue who were a bit more rocker-normal and most people could relate to all the songs about girls etc.

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no question on this one- SOCIAL DISTORTION for sure. Mommy’s Little Monster is still such a great, fun classic Punk Rock album. And pretty much everything they have done has been pretty cool or at least tolerable. I don’t like what I have heard from Backyard Babies at all except maybe one or two songs. The singer sounds like a cross between Social Distortion and like Metallica or something. I just don’t think the songs are that good. I saw ’em live once too and they were pretty boring.

Your projects, hopes, dreams ?
 Our new 7″ ROCKET TO HEAVEN b/w 3RD GENERATION NATION will be out in a month or so on LAWLESS records. Our new album (no title yet) will be out on STORM records in late fall. We’re finishing it up this upcoming month. Maybe more touring in the fall after the album comes out, and of course we are always looking for better tours, shows, labels to work with etc. There will be a lot of songs coming out soon on various comps(the firstful of rock series..we’re on vol 5 that just came out)(A tribute to the Flamin Groovies on Safety Pin records from Spain.) Thanks to everyone for the very great support over the years..we got a long way to go yet! Please keep checkin ‘out our website for all the latest & greatest TRASH BRATS news, info, tour dates, etc. Keep supporting the REAL rock & roll bands, zines, labels, etc.