Rat Bastard is unquestionably one of the most ubiquitous presences in the local music scene. And he has been for well over two decades. When Rat's not fronting conflagrations such as Laundry Room Squelchers or Scraping Teeth, he's heading up The International Noise Conference, a weeklong racket of cacophony that's been blasting Miami for five years.
Most of what Rat does is from the stage at Churchill's Pub, which, as everyone knows is now celebrating its 30th anniversary. To mark the occasion, he's decided to unleash a six hour set of what will undoubtedly be the brashest sounds ever produced by man or beast. That's right, Rat and a few of his nefarious friends will hit Churchill's stage Thursday night, and they won't leave until your ears bleed.
New Times caught up with Miami's noisiest operator and asked him what was up.
Here's how he answered, after the jump.
New Times: Why 6 hours?
Rat Bastard: That's how long it takes for me to get sick of my own compositions. Also I spent 6 hours preparing for this event by listening to the new 12 Robert Pollard vinyl LPs that have been released in the past 12 months.
How many years have you been performing at Churchill's?
Since the early '80s.
How long has the Thursday run been going?
Since 1984 as a DJ, [and as] Dengon, Scraping Teeth, Laundry Room Squelchers, [and/or] To Live and Shave in LA. [I'm] not always there on Thursdays, [but] I try and perform at least one day a week.
Does this mark some kind of anniversary for you too?
Nope.
What can folks expect (if anything)?
A very interesting and different rock presentation of music, songs and sounds.
Is that Rat Opera rumor true? Some details please.
Yes, a group of local artists that I have produced in the past have gotten together to collaborate in writing a rock opera about stuff that has happened to me in the world of music and my views about music in general. [The] first night will be at Tobacco Road on Sep 19th, and the second night will happen at Churchill's on Oct 3rd.
Ratstock, Thursday September 10, 9pm to 3am. Churchill's Pub, 5501 NE 2nd Ave Miami. Admission is free, ages 18+ with ID. 305-757-1807; churchillspub.com
