Quick-fire Questions: 10 minutes with Ratboys
A barrage of noise akin to a traffic jam gearing towards breaking into song howls from the opening track of the latest Ratboys album, The Window. It feels like a release from frustration. That’s exactly what the Chicagoan band look to take out onto the road, too: a sense of liberation, a sense of battening down the hatches and having it out with any angst.
Now, they’re bringing that to the UK to give fans of the band the chance to bask in the deliverance of The Window via one of their raucous yet vulnerable shows. It’s a beautiful wail with a pertinent message. “The lyrics are meant to express the frustration and confusion that comes along with hanging out at a personal crossroads, where every day feels the same, and the same big questions keep nagging at you from the back of your head,” says Julia Steiner.
The guitarist and vocalist continues: “It’s that small, lingering feeling of numb indecision, of pesky anxiety- like disassociating at a stop sign or weighing all your biggest hopes and fears while stuck behind the longest freight train you’ve ever seen.” And it all comes roaring forth in a rather fun capacity when the Ratboys get kicking live. Their shows are the epitome of punk catharsis; times are hard, so why not fucking shout about it?
With a lot to say about the world, we wanted to get to know them a little more personally as the Rats scamper aboard UK soil, but with a flying visit ahead, time was tight, so we simply hurled some quick-fire questions their way. Steiner got back to us to reveal her secret love of Cats, her record of the year, and much more. Enjoy…
Quick-fire Questions with Ratboys:
1. What song would you want played at your funeral?
“‘Over the Horizon’ by Dirty Loops (on YouTube).”
2. What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you within the band?
“I made a fool of myself on the mic in Groningen in The Netherlands one time… can’t go into details, it’s truly too embarrassing.”
3. Can you recommend an album we probably haven’t heard?
“Spring Summer Fall Winter by Cinema Minimal.”
4. What was the first song you learnt to play as a band?
“I think ‘Femme Fatale’ by The Velvet Underground back when it was just Dave and me.”
5. What is your death row three-course meal?
- Course One: a couple of cheese coneys and a Mountain Dew from Skyline.
- Course Two: my mom’s Christmas Eve lasagna, broccoli, and red peppers.
- Course Three: a warm slice of Derby pie and a scoop of Black Raspberry Chip ice cream from Graeter’s.
6. What has been your favourite album of 2023 so far?
“Heaven Is a Junkyard by Youth Lagoon.”
7. What is your most controversial cultural opinion?
“Probably that I love the movie Cats from 2019.”
8. If you had to get a lyric tattoo, what would it be?
“The line ‘everything is alright’ from the song ‘Everything Is Alright’ by Motion City Soundtrack.”
9. Who the fuck is Mark E. Smith?
“No clue!”
10. Where is the best pub in the world?
“The Long Hall in Dublin.”
11. What is the best Christmas song and why?
“It’s so incredibly hard to choose, but the one that gets me the most hyped without a doubt is the version of ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’ by Celtic Woman. I have such great memories of dancing around the house like crazy people and singing that song with my little sisters. My all-time fave though is probably ‘Lo How a Rose Ere Blooming’, which brings back wonderful memories from high school choir Christmas concerts”.
12. What venue would you love to play?
“Red Rocks in Colorado!”
13. What is the weirdest gig you’ve ever played?
“Probably the basement pirate radio show in Utah… good memories, though.”
14. What’s one regional food you’ve picked up on tour that you think everyone should try?
“The kolaches at Czech Stop off of I-35 in Texas are the best thing ever.”
15. Are The Beatles overrated?
“Wtf? No!”
You can check out the band’s UK dates by clicking here.
