RATSALAD is an Aussie Grunge/Psyche Band from Geraldton on the Rise

 

I don’t often go out to see bands these days as I’m pushing 62. 

I just went to see RATSALAD this Saturday night at the Wintersun Hotel in Geraldton, they were backing The Baby Animals on their Aussie tour. 

All I can say, is that in the words of that camp old Australian music icon, Molly Meldrum. Do yourself a favour and get yourself a ticket to see the Grunge/Pyche Rock band, RATSALAD,  who hail from Geraldton. 

RATSALAD is fronted by bass guitarist/vocalist Jaz. She’s a real live wire, she has an exciting stage presence, and she’s a gifted performer, doing the almost impossible, and playing complicated bass lines while doing a stellar job on vocals. She’s in the mould of the late Chrissy Amphlett of the Divinyls. 

Former Kalbarri lass, Erica Trotter was in charge of the drums. She reminds me of a female John Bonham from Led Zeppelin. She gives those skins a flogging and to good effect too. It is quite obvious, that she’s put in years of practice, and the audience just loves a competent female drummer, that has the confidence to cut loose like Erica does and at the same time chipping in with vocals, Watching her play was nothing short of mesmerising. 

We must not forget the rhythm section. The band is very similar in set-up to Led Zeppelin, in that they don’t have a lead or rhythm guitarist.  Ken, who can only be described as an extremely talented guitarist, was on fire, taking on both roles successfully on his six-string electric, (I think it was a Gibson), easily and to very good effect, and chiming in on vocals to support Jaz. 

The band is tight, very tight, and they play extremely loud, just as Aussie Rocker Billy Thorpe did in his heyday, but this is the only way to hear their type of music, The lyrics to their songs are well thought out and executed with great gusto. 

This band is on the rise, I may be wrong, but they are going places. The night I saw them, they supported The Baby Animals, they were literally on par with that very famous Aussie band. 

I’m a muso myself, and a vinyl record dealer. I have seen many bands, from The Rolling Stones to Cold Chisel.  I know a great band when I see one. 

RATSALAD also has a new second album, ‘Pest from the West’, out on Friday 22 April, it is well worth getting a copy, and they are also doing a Geraldton launch show that night at the Foreshore Tavern in Geraldton.