Frank (F): How did you first come into contact with Psychobilly?
The Raters (TR): Some band members come from punk rock and others have been playing rockabilly for over 30 years. The mix of these styles can only have one result, namely Psychobilly!
We have always loved Psychobilly, but we never had the opportunity to form a Psychobilly band together. It had to happen sooner or later; it was just a matter of time.
F: What musical influences do you have? Have these influences shaped the style of THE RATERS?
TR: Our influences are all bands and sounds ranging from the classic rock'n'roll of the 50s to the punk rock bands of the 70s/80s.
We didn't search for our sound!
We just sat down in the rehearsal room on the day we came together, plugged in, and started playing covers of The Meteors, The Sharks, and other bands, and the sound that came out is what you can hear on the recordings and at the concerts. It's a real, honest sound. What you hear on our first EP “The Raters“ (available on Bandcamp at https://theraters.bandcamp.com/releases) is what we deliver on stage.
F: How is the subculture on Mallorca? How can one imagine this scene?
TR: The subcultural movement on Mallorca is clearly influenced by punk rock. There are many very good bands on the island. There are also some concert halls and venues where you can experience this subculture and its music. On the other hand, there is also a quite significant rockabilly movement. There are various festivals that promote this whole scene, which puts the island in a not bad position to enjoy this subculture.
F: Are there places or clubs on Mallorca that you can particularly recommend?
TR: Unfortunately, there aren't many clubs at the moment, but the most important subcultural venues on the island would be: La Factoria de So, Tunnel Rock Club, Sala Mutante, and the Maraca Club.
We would like to highlight one place in particular, La Familia (in the capital Palma de Mallorca, http://www.notemetasconlafamilia.com/), which is not a club but a shop for motorcycle clothing and accessories, but Tito, the owner, always supports the island's music scene. In his shop, he often hosts acoustic concerts, exhibitions, and it is a meeting point for all people who love Kustom Culture. We feel at home there; we are part of La Familia.
If you come to Mallorca, you should definitely stop by Tito and enjoy a nice cold beer.
F: This year, many tourists have come to Mallorca again. I have also read that rents, especially in the big cities, are supposed to be very high. How is life for you on Mallorca?
TR: Unfortunately, it is an island that lives off and for tourism, and any activity that is not related to it has very little importance.
This leads to many foreigners coming here and "taking over" the area by aligning their houses with tourism, renting them out as holiday homes or vacation apartments. This is the reason why rental prices and the cost of living in general have dramatically increased in recent years.
We view the way the island is being sold very critically, because if we continue like this, Mallorca will end up not belonging to the Mallorcans, but to the tourists who have taken over the area.
F: How was your performance at the Psychobilly Meeting in Pineda de Mar this year?
TR: Being part of this lineup and being surrounded by the best Psychobilly bands in history is already a dream for us. When you add the support (and friendship) from the production company Just for Fun, it gets even better. But the love we received from all the people who came to see us at this festival turns into a feeling that is very hard to describe in words. Just the memory of it makes us emotional again, and we can only say thank you! Thank you to all the people who came to see us and support us, thank you to Fran and Raquel and the entire Just for Fun family.
F: Does the Psychobilly scene have something unique for you? Is there something that only exists in this scene?
TR: The Psychobilly scene is something fantastic and magical for us.
It's not just about a music style. It's about a way of seeing and understanding life, a way of dealing with people, and a way of taking fun to the next level.
F: What are your plans for this year?
TR: We plan to tour all over Europe and beyond to present our new record. Currently, it looks like some good opportunities will arise. At the moment, the only fixed date in Germany is December 2, 2022, in Hamburg at Monkey's Music Club as support for Demented Are Go!
