Topshelf Records has released the first full-length record from Chicago’s indie / post country sweet rock band RATBOYS, bringing you a perfect follow up to the sounds known from Garden State soundtrack and similar scores. This record is here to make sure you travel through Summer in comfort and truly chilled.
The band commented:
“The feeling of excitement is paramount and of high fervor in the Rat colony and we can’t wait to share our music with you.
In other news, we are leaving on a 3 week east coast tour in a few days and we will have physical copies of the record with us for a very low price. All contents of the copies are handmade and will contain a few surprises.
There will also be a new face joining us on tour as a few months ago our beautiful blonde cherub Pat Kennedy went to grad school in Winnipeg to swim with the fishies. Our new drummer is Jordan Parel, a long-time friend of the band and excellent drummer so we can’t wait to break him in for y’all.
Hope you enjoy what we have labored over!
The label added:
There’s something really amazing about hearing music from a band you’ve never heard of for the first time and having it instantly resonate — so much so that you need to hear more of it. It’s the kind of feeling that keeps me excited every day about music and why we will always love our “jobs” here at ~Topshelf Records, Inc.~. Without a doubt, my favorite thing about running a record label is taking that excitement and occasionally getting to share it with all of you. Today we’re doing that in the form of Chicago’s Ratboys.
Hailing from Chicago and its South Suburbs, and coming soon to you, the members of Ratboys have no qualms scurrying through the streets to meet up and make music. What started out as a spacey, acoustic two-piece playing secret shows in dorm rooms, has morphed into a post-country foursome that simply cannot deny the power of rodent rock. They recorded the first rat record, AOID, at The Owlery in Chicago and are now ready to put it all out there via Topshelf Records during this almighty year of 2k15. The folks in Ratboys find themselves addicted to the sensation of quiet growing into something bigger, and they can’t wait to welcome you into it.
Upon first hearing their “Space Blows” and “Have a Heart” singles on bandcamp (which are both available for free download, btw), I was instantly floored by their seemingly effortless knack for integrating wonderful melodies with thoughtful song structure. If you need a reference point here, think classics like Mirah, Okkervil River, Rilo Kiley or Wye Oak meeting somewhere with more contemporary acts like Waxahatchee or even Hop Along at their quieter moments. Which is to say, this is a band we are very, very excited about!
The band have a new full length album recorded — their first. It’s titled AOID and we will be releasing it on cassette and digitally on June 9, 2015 with the band releasing it next week on CD (catch them at one of their upcoming shows to get a copy!). A vinyl release is in the works for the fall. To give you a taste in the meantime though, we’ve got the second track on the album called “Tixis” premiering over on BrooklynVegan right now — have a listen! Cover art, track list and pre-order notification sign-ups for the album are also all now up.
Lastly, if you live on the east coast, be sure to catch the band on their upcoming tour! Dates and info are below.
5/18 – Chicago, IL @ Gypsy House
5/19 – Kalamazoo, MI @ Shakespeare’s
5/20 – Akron, OH @ It’s A Kling Thing!
5/21 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Pallas Theatre
5/22 – Rochester, NY @ Vineyard Community Space
5/23 – Cohoes, NY @ Icehouse
5/24 – Boston, MA @ TBA
5/25 – Danbury, CT @ The Heirloom Arts Theater
5/26 – New York City @ Bushwick Public House
5/27 – Philadelphia, PA @ Everbody Hits
5/28 – Baltimore, MD @ TBA
5/29 – Blacksburg, VA @ Robin Williams Center for the Arts
5/30 – Greensboro, NC @ Anderson’s House
5/31 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
6/01 – New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa
6/02 – Cleveland, MS @ Hey Joe
6/03 – Memphis, TN @ House show
6/04 – Nashville, TN @ Exponent Manor
6/05 – Lexington, KY – Best Friend Bar
6/06 – Indianapolis, IN @ Grammaw’s House
6/07 – Champaign, IL @ Death Tower
6/08 – Rock Island, IL @ Theo’s Java Club
