Hearing Damage, AKA the Rat Opera -- the Life and Times of Rat Bastard

I just came across this thanks to Rob Elba of the Holy Terrors. He seems to be orchestrating this project dedicated to the life and times of Rat Bastard, AKA Frank Falestra, the longtime noise artist, studio owner, producer, performer, promoter, and all-around impresario. Rat's been making waves in the...

By Dominic Sirianni

September 1, 2009

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I just came across this thanks to Rob Elba of the Holy Terrors. He seems to be orchestrating this project dedicated to the life and times of Rat Bastard, AKA Frank Falestra, the longtime noise artist, studio owner, producer, performer, promoter, and all-around impresario. Rat's been making waves in the international music scene from his home in South Florida for 30-plus years.

If you have never met Rat or engaged him in conversation, then you have seriously missed out on a slice of history. The man is a walking encyclopedia of engineering knowledge, music history, and general information. He is also the musician most likely to be mentioned by musicians I respect outside of Miami, like Mike Watt, Thurston Moore, and so on.

The guy is legit all the way -- he puts together the International

Noise Conference every year, tours relentlessly, records tons of music,

and was responsible for the early-'90s Snatch the Pebble releases.

There is so much more to be said about this guy, but hey, I guess that's

why Elba is doing this.

There is a sneak preview of the Opera at

Tobacco Road on Saturday, September 19, and a full performance at

Churchill's on Saturday, October 3. More information can be found

at ratopera.com.

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