THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO RATSO (2025): Loud, fast, here and gone

Auckland band Ratso weren't here for a long time, but they were here for a good time. Like a Space-X rocket they were loud, fast and explosive.

And then they did explode.

It was all over bar the memories of small gigs in confined space where garageband rock is at its best.

We reviewed an Auckland gig and bought their limited edition vinyl live album which was very expensive but we had no regrets.

(You can get a digital download at bandcamp for a tenth of the price I paid, but as I say, “no regrets”)

Ratso came, played a lot, recorded in a studio and went out in blaze. Much as they had arrived..

Musical differences is probably the polite way of describing why they ended.

And after the end is their debut and final album, Fuck Ratso.

Rather than us bang on about how great they were, let's let them tell you. They say it better.

Rock'n'Roll Ramraiders

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RATSO RELEASE   FUCK.RATSO   ONE FINAL TRANSMISSION FROM THE BLISTERING HEART OF AOTEAROA ROCK ‘N’ ROLL

From the molten guts of Tāmaki Makaurau’s underground, RATSO erupted - a five-headed swirling rok beast built on volume, chaos, and conviction. Monikered after some street sassed cartoon character.

A clutch of hyper three chord rok, laced with twin guitar tethered NWOBHM dogfight histrionics. A nubile testosteroned rhythm department. Ganged vocals, powered vox heft.

RATSO’s members are steeped in Auckland’s rock and roll history - Jake Harding of NZ garage punk legends The D4 on guitar and members of Black Science, Psycho Daizies and Thee Rum Coves - bringing layers of experience and attitude to the mix.

There’s a swagger of Latino bravado and a gritty, almost spiritual dedication to delivering raw, no-frills rock.

Together, they formed a tight-knit crew fuelled by loud amps, guitars, and sweat as anyone who has seen RATSO in full live action mode can attest to.

Laced with twin-guitar dogfight histrionics, ganged vocals, and a testosterone fuelled rhythm department. Part CBGBs punk, part early Maiden NWOBHM.

You want easy tag references. Take Hank’s TURBONEGRO messing w/the tunes of Johnny Thunders' HEARTBREAKERS, gate-crashed by various members of the DAMNED.

FUCK.RATSO is their first and final full-length studio record. It rattles your brain and shakes the walls.

There’ll be no shows as RATSO is no more.

There is just this: FUCK.RATSO, the unfiltered transmission of a band in full flight.

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Fuck Ratso on vinyl (with an insert slip of credits and photos) is available at bandcamp here or at JB Hi-Fi here.

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