The Dirty Rats album, Rock n Roll, is the culmination of 30 years of touring
The Dirty Rats album, Rock n Roll, is the culmination of 30 years of touring the pubs and clubs of Melbourne, getting down and dirty in the grimiest bars, the meanest streets and the stickiest beer soaked floors. Dirty Rats, the greatest rock band you've never heard of have finally released their first album, with songs forged and tempered amongst the toughest rock fans in the world. "We started seriously writing and arranging for Rock n Roll, around mid 2016. Most of the songs were arrangements we had been playing for years, gradually changing and adjusting them to our tastes as we went along", the Dirty Rats explain the development of the album. "A couple songs were written specifically for this album and a lot of the older stuff was just mercilessly culled to make sure we only brought the very best to the recording studio. Jamie and Andy came up with the idea that the album should be recorded 'live', just go in and play as if we were doing a gig." They reckon that was the best way to go, as it gives the album the rough and ready feel that they were after. They have always been a tight band musically with a good feel for how we each perform, so most tracks were recorded in just one or two takes. "We had to do some overdubs with the guitar parts due to some changes in guitarists, but otherwise we just got stuck in and got it done. After the dust had settled, we were left with 9 tracks we were proud to put our name to." Hard rock is their signature 'old school' style, it's what Dirty Rats are all about.
What's behind the songs?
Not Alone – A story of family violence with a message of empowerment for those facing violence in relationships. The story is told from Wayne's experiences as a front line police officer and domestic violence survivor. An anthem for the downtrodden and oppressed. (Rich/Beovich)
Suicide – From a dark time in our lives. We have all been there, when its too easy to drink and let the black dog run all over our yard. It's about climbing out of that deep dark hole and seeing that the sun is still shining. (Rich/Beovich)
Lowlife – Ah relationships, who'd have em! If I died tomorrow, would you remember me. A story of unrequited love and feeling like a lowlife. (Beovich)
Rat Town – The best part of of going to work is knowing that Friday night you get to go out and get on the piss with your mates, see a heap of your favourite bands and sing along at the top of your voice. Rocking out in Rat Town, it's what we do. (Rich/Beovich)
When the money runs out – Some clown wanted to “help us make it” as a band. Turns out what he really wanted was to make some money for himself and none for us. This song is about arseholes like that. (Beovich)
Notch in Your Belt – Have you ever had a relationships where you are madly in love, but they just want to be friends. Then they sleep with you, but “just as friends”? How crazy is that? Yeah, us too. (Beovich)
Everybody Bleeds – There was a “friend” of the band. Turned out he was a nutcase, mad as a cut snake. He made threats, went to the mad-house and we wrote a song. (Beovich)
Yesterdays Hero – Song was written by Harry Vanda and George Young, one of the best writing teams Australia has produced. No special story here, it's just a cracker of a song and we love it and wanted to record it. It's a cover, get over it. (Vanda/Young)
Bad Man – Jamie loves cowboy movies and cowboys, especially John Wayne, so he wrote a song about cowboys. That's about it really, cowboys and stuff. (Beovich)
Facebook Dirty Rats are: Wayne Rich – Vocals Jamie Beovich – Bass Anthony (Chooka) Chapple – Guitar Andy Thomson – Drums
