“…with loves, and hates, and passions just like mine…”
Rats from a Sinking Ship have unleashed their new 7” EP and the words I have taken “on loan” from The Smiths Cemetry Gates sum it up perfectly. Rats have a passion for a cause that shines through on the somewhat confrontational songs on this EP. “I am a pacifist, don’t take that as a sign of weakness”. Lusty makes his point clear on lead track, he won’t mince his words.
The 4-track EP is titled “With Love and Violence” handing out equal degrees of each to the pro- and antagonists in the songs in question. Lusty and Co. demonstrate their loves and hates without any chance of a misunderstanding. They take aim with a keen eye, ensure their mark is well and truly in their sites, and fire without mercy. Much like the targets of their ire on one of the EP tracks.
Love is the Answer
The “love” songs are new thumping punk rock anthem Love is the Answer and from their debut album, Rise as One, the highly-charged edgy rap-tinged rocker “No Nazi”, a strong anti-right wing hate, pro-love and inclusion anthem. These songs may be advocating love, peace and harmony, but still make barbed attacks on those who don’t live by the 5 ideologies listed at the end of the lead song.
On the “hate” front the very deserving targets for the bands searing loathing are the rag that dares to call itself a “news”paper, The S*n. On “A Disgusting Filthy Rag” from their third album Fight the Future, Jamie’s crunching guitar line underlines Lusty’s clear message. “Don’t read the S*n, and don’t buy the S*n”. Sewer Rat Newspaper says the sample from George Galloway as the song fades. Alongside that is new non-album track “If You Hunt Then You’re a …” (clue – it rhymes).
With recent attacks in New Zealand and Utrecht, it is apparent that there is too much hate in the world today, but the expression of unity across cultures in the aftermath displays a glimmer of hope.
Hope, peace & unity and love is the answer for you and me. Get the EP now before its too late from the RFASS store