Following the release of their debut LP Glory Bound in 2006, The Ratchets were hailed by many as a younger generation’s answer to The Clash. And while other bands of their caliber zoomed onto the rock and roll highway only to quickly run out of gas, The Ratchets stayed on the side streets and meandered around on local roads guarding their credibility like it was the crown jewels. Turns out, at least in their case, brevity is the soul of wit, because their first full length in over ten years is their best showing yet.
“You have to have something new to say and you have to mean it otherwise to me there’s a loss of credibility, and I’d rather keep my mouth shut than do that” says frontman Jed Engine. “It helps that music isn’t a linear experience. The moment a record gets added to someone’s collection it sits there with the greats and we wanted to top what we did before and some of those classic records everybody loves too.”
First Light, full of its gunslinger politics and humanist tendencies, is a statement piece from a band who’s long since cornered the market on authenticity. From the rousing power-pop hit “Gotta Be Cool”, to the punchy socio-political commentary of “Dotard At The Dial,” The Ratchets cover a lot of terrain jamming out proto-punk bangers, ballads, and everything in between.
It’s worth noting that The Ratchets have become an important chapter in Pirates Press Records’ history. In addition to releasing several singles from the band, Glory Bound was the first LP released on the label. When you add their back catalog to the bunch which includes two long out of print EPs it becomes clear why they were able to amass a devoted following since their earliest days. These earlier and hard to find releases may one day be dusted off and compiled for fans, old and new, to enjoy once again.
With First Light, The Ratchets show the world that they’ve been carving their own path somewhere between the real world and the stuff of rock and roll dreams. So whether you’ve been here since the beginning, or are new to the party, The Ratchets are set to remind us why they hold a special place in the hearts and playlists of so many die-hard music fans across the globe.
The Ratchets’ First Light is scheduled to be released on November 9, 2018 through Pirates Press Records.
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