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RatSalad’s whopper bite

Headshot of Lisa Favazzo
Lisa FavazzoMidwest Times
Jaz McCartney playing with RatSalad to a hyped crowed at the Geraldton Beach Hotel for their EP launch last Saturday.
Camera IconJaz McCartney playing with RatSalad to a hyped crowed at the Geraldton Beach Hotel for their EP launch last Saturday. Credit: The Geraldton Guardian

In the past year, punk band RatSalad have opened for Karnivool, won a West Australian Music song of the year award and earned the status of Geraldton’s up-and-comer to watch.

But according to guitarist and singer Ken McCartney, their music is “all about having fun”.

Jaz and Ken McCartney and Erica Trotter launched fresh tracks at the Geraldton Beach Hotel this month.

The tiny back room of the venue was sweaty and hyped while the band played their set, with nobody drinking more beer than the carpet.

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The show was attended by heavy music lovers from across Geraldton’s demographics.

Even Mayor Shane Van Styn rocked up to show his support for homegrown talent.

Musicians Ashton Orion and Luke Rigby opened the night, with vocalist Sammy Lee jumping on-stage at the last minute to help close the show.

The EP was apparently recorded in “some guy’s backyard”.

“But it all turned out pretty well, I think,” Ken McCartney said. A song called Southerly led the release.

McCartney said it was a homage to the strong coastal winds that often “ruin everyone's day at the beach”.

He said the lyrics fared well at recent shows in Kalbarri and Exmouth. “We write coastal tunes for coastal towns,” he said.

Last year, their star track — inspired by a funky smelling rat in their kitchen — was a heavy punk song called Dead Rat.

The new EP is a little softer than their last release but, despite some minor sound developments, the new music still features the singable choruses their fans love to shout out in the pub.

McCartney said their next goal was to record a full-length album and play gigs countrywide.

He said he was particularly keen on playing in Esperance.

“Hopefully someone there might read this,” he said, wistfully.

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