We’re thrilled to announce the impending release of the *long*-awaited full length digital LP from the great *DAVID RAT*, _The United Hates_.
In the year or so since we released the digital single “Dancing With The Star-ving,” Rat has continued on his journey to becoming a counterculture icon, his book _Happy Ending_ continuing to garner rave reviews and his regular column in _Punk Globe_ consistently the magazine’s most widely read. His seminal no wave band *Rat At Rat R* reissued the 1985 album _Amer$ide/Rock & Roll is Dead, Long Live Rat at Rat R_ in late 2012 to much critical acclaim. An American expatriate living in Brazil, Rat continues to inspire as a teacher, artist, poet, author and musician.
For us, David Rat represents a window into the very birth of the music we love; the early 1980s Lower East Side scene that spawned the likes of Sonic Youth and Swans helped create venues for young indie bands to play and evolve. So many of our influences – and so many of our friends – benefited from the groundwork laid by Rat At Rat R and their ilk, meeting David, to me, was like meeting Joey Ramone or Joe Strummer. Providing David with a venue to turn his poetry into music is a pleasure; that he has been able to move to Brazil and tap into an outstanding group of musicians in Latin America is a testament to the breadth of his influence and his ability to bring like-minded people together.
_The United Hates_ touches on many topics: Rat’s struggle with addiction and recovery, his estrangement from his young son, his love of animals, relationships he forged as a young rock and roller in New York’s East Village, his Buddhist philosophies and staunch antiwar/anti corporate greed stances all take center stage, each idea battling the others for prominence throughout the record. The record’s ten songs are dense with poetry and prose, backed by the sweetness and noise of a talented group of musicians. Each track is awash with tension and noise, interrupted by sweetness and melody, Rat’s (usually) soft-spoken voice quietly speaking at the forefront, a white dove gliding above a war-torn city.
In 20+ years of releasing music, this is our first “serious” album, the first one we’ve released that demands you sit down and spend time with it. The tracks don’t ease into your mind like a typical Dromedary pop song; they pound you until you pay attention and then they hold you rapt.
_The United Hates_ will be out digitally on July 1. Until then, you can preorder the album from our store, and listen to the single “This Is Fucking Why,” which is streaming for free everywhere. And here.