Uncle G’s FUN Music Reviews: Good Rats – Blue Collar Rats_The Lost Archives (2012)

Date: 24 May 2012 – Classic Rock Radio (UK)

Uncle G’s FUN Music Reviews
Spotlight: Good Rats – Blue Collar Rats (The Lost Archives) (2012)

I must confess. I don’t know, nor am I fully acquainted with this band as of yet. I am in the learning stages. Some of you who are more into classic rock than others will know what I’m talking about. For those who don’t, it basically means that I have decided that this band’s cool, and because of that, I’m now just getting into their sizable back catalog. For me, and countless others, the Good Rats, clicked.

The Good Rats has been around since the year 1964. Their first album, The Good Rats (self-titled) came out in 1969. Side A starts with an introduction to their record-buying public entitled; We Are The Good Rats. It’s a great opener. Ten more tracks follow and by the time the album is over, all you want to do is give it another spin.

Maybe I took a liking to them due to the fact I find their music somewhat prog-rock in style. Their songs are more than the average rock songs. The band, more than the average one guitar, one bass, and one drum setup with a typical main vocalist. First off, this guy is a real singer. Sounds like he inspired the likes of Meat Loaf. Over the decades, has opened for some of the biggest acts in rock n’ roll. Instead, the Good Rats have a vocalist who has been with the band all this time, and with my keen sense of observation, holds this band together. With many talented musicians/performers behind him.

May I introduce a man who should need no introduction, Mr. Peppi Marchello, the founder, lead singer, and sole songwriter of the group, Good Rats. His lyrics paint pictures. Lots of FUN lyrics. The songs change in style. Makes you want to pay attention. The most famous unknown rock band in the World. Hailing from Long Island, New York. A real down-to-earth, red, white, and blue American band, untouched by corporate greed. Who by the way can’t have any more sincere admiration for their loyal fanbase. And vice-versa. It’s not just liking the early stuff or a certain period of the band’s almost 50-year history. It’s having a great time listening to all of Peppi’s songs. So far that’s what it’s like for me. The Good Rats are a solid party band. A maker of anthems. Cool background tunes while having a good shag. That’s important. Don’t want the young ones to hear you.

The word ‘anthems’ is defined as such: “a song of loyalty or devotion, as to a nation or college a national anthem. A popular rock or pop song.” A new song that fits along these lines just so happens to be a new song from a new Good Rats CD entitled; Blue Collar Rats – The Lost Archives. The song title is; Boom Boom.

Boom Boom rocks !!! It has attitude. Is upbeat. Contains good-time lyrics. This can be/is an official party song. About a woman….boom boom boom. Somewhat rowdy. A future classic rock and roll song for sure. A new song is included in a release that centers around unreleased songs. That comes included, with the most badass poster you’d ever want to see. A band like Yes has it’s Roger Dean outer space-like imagery. The Good Rats has a very cool drawing of a muscular cartoon rat with a jackhammer.

Repeat after me. I support independent musicians and bands. Then you support the Good Rats. They sell all their own stuff. Getting the CD I purchased via the mail was a good experience. Quick and painless. A pleasure to do business with.

So I recommend getting the Good Rats latest release. My CD was autographed by Peppi, and I’m pretty sure if you mention Classic Rock Radio (UK), he’ll also autograph yours.

For The Record

My very first Good Rats purchase was actually on iTunes. The song Boom Boom was included in a CD single, that had three songs total. I downloaded it. Best $2.97 I ever spent. That’s all I played until I purchased through the good Rats official website, the regular full CD; Blue Collar Rats – The Lost Archives. FYI: The Good Rats website sells all their other official merchandise/other CDs as well.

Rat On!

www.goodrats.com

Bonus – Peppi Marchello autograph (Gary Brown Autograph Collection)

Update (September 2023)

Peppi Marchello passed away at age 68, on 10 July 2013.

RIP: Jerry “Jazz” Brown (A devoted fan of the Good Rats)

Jerry “Jazz” Brown – Peppi Marchello (Photographer – Details unknown)

May both men rest in peace.

End of Story

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