Rise Of The Rat play a fairly unforgivable brand of Aussie pub rock; a mid-eighties sound that seems loosely influenced by Hunters & Collectors, Goanna and Midnight Oil, revived with a po-faced sincerity for I don’t know what audience with about a quarter of the finesse. The lyrics are equally humourless, though they fall short of the “biting social commentary” promised in the press release: “Chivalry is dead when the blood runs blue, principles are beared by selected few, unseen…at the top we’re untouchable.” Fundamentally, I agree – rich people are cunts – but inept class warfare waged in rhyming couplets is just embarrassing.
Recommended
Twilight Sounds: The Ferguson Rogers Process are headlining a free festival in Heidelberg
St Kilda Festival's 2026 lineup led by Jessica Mauboy, Mental As Anything, Sneaky Sound System
Three of Melbourne's finest alt-country and blues acts are joining forces for one big night
The Merri Bar kicks off 2026 with a cracking lineup of fresh acts
The full guide to Waterfront Festival 2026: every act, the best bits and what you need to know