Ladies & Gentleman, Boys & Girls …
Although it is a very rare occurrence to catch this ground breaking Australian act performing live, RATCAT remain permanently placed in the indie hall of fame for having dragged Australian music culture out of a stagnant pub rock 80’s phase and bringing alternate pop/punk guitar rock to the masses during the late 80’s / early 1990’s. Being at the forefront of an international musical change of direction that witnessed the boundaries between the independent and commercial sectors literally smashed to oblivion, RATCAT’s incredible rise to popularity was the result of public demand, and with virtually no mass label marketing (at the time). After a spate of independent releases via the Waterfront Label, , RATCAT released the ground breaking ‘Tingles’ EP in 1990 which – & with no fanfare whatsoever – made a steady climb to the top of the National Top Forty after 7 months – eventually reaching the coveted number 1 spot. ‘Tingles’ thereafter scored the accolade of becoming the highest selling EP of that year. Featuring the ‘sleeper’ hit ‘That Ain’t Bad’ (& with the original video featuring one of the first ‘acting’ performances for current international star, Naomi Watts), it was a bizarre & heady period completely unexpected by RATCAT.
The subsequent 1991 release of the ‘Blind Love’ album resulted in yet another (although this time immediate) number 1 ARIA chart result and and again, to the complete surprise of the band members and all involved at the time, RATCAT also scored a coinciding duel number one with the single ‘Don’t Go Now’ (aria singles charts). History writes that the last local band to have achieved the same was INXS (during the 80’s) and thereafter, the next was to be Savage Garden. The difference being that considering RATCAT’s alternative background, it was an achievement that broke all rules! Although we could continue for many paragraphs regarding RATCAT’s amazing feats, their success was mirrored internationally by Nirvana nine months later, and despite Nirvana scoring the international accolades, the impact RATCAT had on the Australia music scene in the early ‘90s remains historically significant and undeniable.
A generation has passed since the release of ‘Blind Love’ and to celebrate, RATCAT will be making rare live appearances in both Melbourne & Perth this coming November – their first in Melbourne since last appearing with The Psychedelic Furs in 2006 & as for Perth, let’s just say you’ve all aged somewhat since Ratcat last did sing for you! Performing tracks from Blind Love + much more, these are one off shows not to be missed. Full details as follows:
IMC Presents
RATCAT ‘Blind Love + Other Stories’ (+ Special Guests in Melb only – ON SALE FRIDAY OCTOBER 24TH )
Tuesday Nov 25th – The Corner Hotel, Richmond, VIC – Tickets – http://www.cornerhotel.com/ PH: 1 300 724 867
AND supporting old pals The Hoodoo Gurus in Perth (also appearing Jebediah and British India)
Sunday Nov 30th – Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre VIC – Tickets & Details – http://bit.ly/1uvkSxy
Join the brand new RATCAT Facebook Page right here for all the latest news & more: – https://www.facebook.com/RATCATOfficial
And… That Aint Bad!
