The Grand Rapids band which uncorks its sophomore album Sunday at The Pyramid Scheme cranked it up on the radio show, which also debuted new songs by Murder Party, Ars Nova, The Sauce and more.
In Studio X: Bet on Rats performing during Local Spins on WYCE. (Photo/Local Spins)
The way band members tell it, Bet on Rats could have been Bears Who Eat Birds.
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Instead, the punk-fueled Grand Rapids band that plays “danceable folk-rock” settled on a moniker that many associate with the rat race featured in the 1989 animated film, “All Dogs Go to Heaven.”
Devil’s Night CD-Release: Bet on Rats will return to The Pyramid Scheme on Sunday.
“It’s really all about mammalian pride,” jokes bassist Don Carlisle.
It’s also all about solidly written, enthusiastically performed and concise songs, a testament to the group’s nod toward the punk tradition.
“It’s definitely punk-influenced, for sure. I grew up listening to The Violent Femmes and tons of punk bands,” says guitarist and chief songwriter Dan Smith, insisting the folk-hued outfit also incorporates “six more genres” into its approach.
With its soon-to-be-released sophomore recording, “Braille,” covering eight songs in 28 minutes, Bet on Rats – with Derek “Phatty” Blossom on bass and Midhat Begovic on drums – also appreciates punk’s penchant for brevity.
“Our albums aren’t really long because people couldn’t endure us for that long,” quips Carlisle. “For the most part, I think short, fast and dirty punk records are pretty much the way to go.”
Adds Smith: “Our songs are of a serious nature that we take semi-seriously, and hope those who are willing to listen will laugh at the realization that we are all kind of awful beings. Not that our music will change any of that, but maybe it’ll make people think about their actions in a different way.”
Bet on Rats rolled out that approach in exuberant fashion this week for Local Spins on WYCE, performing two songs – “Braille” and “Cynic Bomb” – on the air in Studio X, and talking about the group’s genesis. Listen to the entire podcast here.
PODCAST: Local Spins on WYCE with Bet on Rats
The band officially releases its new eight-track album – recorded at Knavish Audio and produced by Carlisle – at 8 p.m. Sunday at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids, a special Devil’s Night show headlined by Grand Rapids punk band Murder Party. I Believe in Julio (who will pay tribute to The Ramones) and Joe & The Westside Orchestra are also on the bill. Get tickets and details online here.
Not Bears Who Eat Birds: From left (clockwise), Don Carlile, Derek “Phatty” Blossom, Dan Smith, Midhat Begovic. (Photo/Local Spins)
“Halloween is a great time for shows, and we’ve been lucky to have played the past few Halloween shows alongside Murder Party,” says Smith. “Everyone is in party mode, and the masks we wear that night allow some people to act a little different, a little louder, if you will.”
Formed in 2014 and releasing its first EP, “Easy Now,” the following year, Bet on Rats aims to keep performing at venues in the Grand Rapids area, as well as playing shows in Lansing, Detroit and Chicago, with work on a third recording set to begin this winter.
But the band still appreciates the intimacy of house shows, too.
“Being punk, if you cram 20 people in a basement, it can be as much fun as being crushed up against the fence at The Intersection,” says Carlisle.
The Oct. 28 edition of Local Spins on WYCE boasted the premiere of more than a half-dozen tracks by Michigan artists, including Murder Party, Ars Nova, The Sauce, Trash Hounds, Suzies, The Boulevard Billies, Cartorson, Thomas Gun and Sewn. The show also featured music by Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys, The Red Sea Pedestrians and Lipstick Jodi, all of whom are playing Halloween shows this weekend.
Get a full roster of West Michigan Halloween parties in this Local Spins mega-list.
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