Pool Of Sound - RATS

 

 

The band originally consisted of four childhood friends, Joe Maddocks (vocals), Mikey Duncalf (lead guitar), Sam Taylor (bass) and Harry Maitland (drums), who met on the streets of Liverpool and who were now no doubt destined for the elusive 'big time'! They got their unusual name Joe says when, "Somebody sprayed it on our old studio door after a party where there was an argument and that's when I first saw it as a name haha!" As a teenager, Joe Maddocks sang 'Wonderwall' at one of his first public performances, where the 'Oasis' guitarist Bonehead happened to be among the tiny audience. Afterwards, Bonehead praised Joe's performance, comparing his voice to Lee Mavers of 'The La’s'. That in turn led Joe to becoming obsessed with the band's critically adored album. A year later, and still too young to drink in the bar, he stepped outside for a smoke after playing an open mic night. There he was greeted by Lee Mavers who was just as positive as Bonehead had been and he shared some pointers on how to play their classic 'There She Goes'. Joe was inspired to pursue his dreams of becoming a rock star, and spent countless hours honing his talents in the local youth club / rehearsal space, The Shewsy.

The band made significant progress long before their landmark This Feeling Records / Liam Gallagher / DMA’S moments, including supporting the 'Happy Mondays', selling out the Cavern Club, and playing a session for Everton Football Club. The reformed Liverpool indie band announced the release of their single 'Patsy Decline' on the 18th of November 2021, the first release for This Feeling Records, launched in partnership with Warner Music Group’s, ADA Label Services. The song was recorded at Liverpool’s Parr Street Studios with producer Chris Taylor ('The Lathums', 'Blossoms') and was mastered by Christian Wright at Abbey Road. It has since been played at Everton matches, which has been a big moment for the band's Everton fans. 'Patsy Decline' also hit Apple Music’s New in Rock playlist, while the band featured in the Liverpool episode of John Kennedy’s indie travelogue Global Sounds. Joe says, " It's a completely new chapter, you're right in saying that. The old two members added a lot to the band and took away a lot when they left, but the new half is adding new flavours. It's the first song written with the new members during the lockdown. They are both actually my oldest musical mates so getting them in 'RATS' felt more like old bandmates returning. They've always had good songs I've wanted to work with, and now they're starting to write songs from my perspective." Joe had put together the new line-up by enlisting the strongest candidates from some of Liverpool's key underground bands of the time: himself and Lowell Carragher (bass) from 'The Havoc', the two having met when they both drunkenly lost their friends on a big night out; Alan Phillips (drums) from 'The Haze'; and Michael Duncalf (lead guitar). With an intense period of recording behind them, the band are now formed of Joe Maddocks (vocals), with Mikey Duncalf (guitar), Chris Carragher (guitar), Lowell Carragher (bass), Alan Phillips (drums), as they continue on the road. 

They had debuted live as long ago as 2021, with 'Section 60' quickly established as a firm fan favourite, offering multiple clues why Joe has garnered comparisons to Jamie T and Mike Skinner of 'The Streets', while the band's funk and fury veers from reggae and R'n'B to smooth, soulful 80's yacht rock. Joe says of this single, "Section 60 means a form of policing where a whole neighborhood is persecuted because of the actions of a few. I was riding home from the studio one night and was stopped by the police, leading to my anatomy being violated for no reason other than riding a bicycle. In the cycle lane too. This song isn't having a go at the police, but the legislation." Their songs are a lyrical kitchen sink commentary on modern society telling tales of drama, joy, anger, sadness and beyond. They really come into their own however when they perform live. Critics and fans alike credit them with sounding 'record perfect' and to spine tingling effect. After achieving multiple early-career successes, including supporting Liam Gallagher at his 2022 Teenage Cancer Trust show at The Royal Albert Hall alongside Kid Kapichi. 'RATS' remain equally enthusiastic about writing and recording as they are about performing live.

Their first new music since 2022 arrived as they hit the halfway point of their recent UK Tour and fuses stories of dignity lost at the hands of brutal, British stop and search laws with bubbly ska bass and beats. On top of their tour, it was announced that 'RATS' is coming to District in Liverpool on Dec 21, 2024. Find tickets and get exclusive concert information, all at Bandsintown.

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2025/02/pool-of-sound-hollowbody.html