First Johnny Ramone Pic attempt

[johnnyboy1234]

The Rat was a cool place to play...I played there with the Jabbers and I remember putting the guitars in a this girl Linda's trunk and going upstairs for a beer after the show (I was 15)...her car got towed and we had to pay a fine to get it back....good times.

[eltuce]

Is that you Johnny Angel? If so this world is getting way too small.

[johnnyboy1234]

No... but we did open up for the Thrills back then and a whole bunch of Boston bands(Vinny band, Lyres, Count Viglione, etc.)...

[eltuce]

Ahh, I saw Johnny and LA and thought you might be since he seems to be everywhere. I've had the pleasure of sharing the stage with some local legends such as The Real Kids, Lyres, Classic Ruins, etc. but more recently, like over the last 10 years or so. Sadly, as much time as I spent at The Rat I never got to play there.

[twango the clown]

Ahh, I saw Johnny and LA and thought you might be since he seems to be everywhere. I've had the pleasure of sharing the stage with some local legends such as The Real Kids, Lyres, Classic Ruins, etc. but more recently, like over the last 10 years or so. Sadly, as much time as I spent at The Rat I never got to play there.

Well, as a member of the Ruins and at one time of the Lyres, as well as one of the first and last guys to play there, I can tell you it wasn't always that hot. The regulars were like a big family, but it was a big dysfunctional family. There was always monkey business with the door money as the bouncers (and most others around there) were enamored of certain white powders, often purchased in the course of the night off the top of the Door Roll. I guess we were all cool with that, but it could get mighty rough. Everyone used the girls room because the men's room was unbelievable. I say this as a janitor of years' experience. There were brawls every night, that were the breath of life for our golden glove bouncers.
All that said, The Rat played a huge part in the development of original music of the day. It all started with something I've also seen elsewhere from time to time.
There came a day when ASCAP rolled around and played the heavy to Jim, the owner, who was not a man you want to threaten. A rep of ASCAP would be in the audience, he was told, who would count and identify all of the cover songs performed, and based on that, The Rat would be billed for outstanding royalties to The Stones, or David Bowie or whoever.
Is that right? said Jim: well, the bands that play here only play their own stuff, as in Other Music From Unsigned Groups! (Hilly at CBGB had gotten the same threat.)
All of us groups were told the same thing: play all original or you don't play at all here again. We don't care if you do a forty minute blues jam with potty jokes, (some did) but if you play a single recognizable cover, it's curtains for you.
Well, the rest is history. ASCAP gave up, and started working on a new approach that led to what we have now. We suddenly had a Scene, and anybody who could throw a group together and write material could play on Monday nights. Drinking age was nineteen and the place was surrounded by colleges so the place was packed. If you were good you could work up the ladder to weekends. Maybe get a following. But none, not one of us, had a Mosrite.

[handbrake]

Frank, what a story of heydays at The Rat. Thanks for your vivid recollections! Including the parts I suppose I'm glad I missed.

[Veenture]

The Rat played a huge part in the development of original music of the day.

I've never been in the Punk scene (I'm 65... ) but reading your account is so entertaining Frank!