You might not be familiar with Tokyo duo The Golden Rat, but the two artists behind the moniker are the stuff of legends. Champions of the industry, Mr Ratboy has been playing alongside rock n roll’s elite for four decades now, while The Golden Arm has been one of Tokyo’s most prevalent punk artists since the 1980’s, earning the title of the ‘Japanese Johnny Thunders’. Together, their talents are utterly unparalleled, and on their debut record together, they’ve decided to showcase their impeccable taste through fifteen very special covers.
A raucous collection of tracks that have been artfully rebuilt in The Golden Rat’s image, ‘We Got a Right’ is a brilliant passion project, one that rallies around tracks that inspired both musicians throughout their adolescence. Released on reborn Australian label Vicious Kitten, ‘We Got a Right’ sees the duo taking on tracks from Lords of the New Church, the Saints, Radio Birdman, Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, Magazine, Lou Reed, The Stranglers, The Only Ones and the Patti Smith Band among others, stitching together a true punk anthology.
At its core, it’s an album that is deeply evocative and undeniably real, building a sound that while instantly familiar and echoing the greats, remains firmly their own. Shining with rock ‘n’ roll greatness and filled with heart, the album leaves a lasting impression, and it’s easy to see why it’s been gaining praise from fans and critics alike.
While it might have originally started as a way to deal with the Covid lockdown of 2020, ‘We Got a Right’ has become something of the ‘ultimate rock ‘n’ roll memoir’, and it’s an absolute triumph to take in.
You can stream the band’s cover of ‘Russian Roulette' above, or get your own copy on CD here.
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