The Ratchets - The Way Things Are

    

  A very well received Just Some Punk Songs show last night and this was definitely one of the most popular songs played. 

  The Ratchets (https://www.facebook.com/RatchetsOfficial) are punk scene veterans now. They hail from New Jersey and first featured on here back in 2018 with a track from their First Light album :  https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-ratchets-stray-emotions.html

   One of their albums is titled Glory Bound. It was originally released in 2006. As 2024 drew to a close a number of outtakes from that debut album's recording sessions were released by Pirates Press Records as an ep under the title Odds & Ends: Volume Two. It sounds great so check it out : 

https://theratchets.bandcamp.com/album/odds-ends-volume-two

  This song is a cover of a song originally released in 1994 by Schwartzeneggar on an album titled The Way Things Are....And Other Stories (check it out here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwyPPthUSgc&list=PLXr6roSqjbmNH4rje04tBWhX6-ueGDkzT). 

  It's called The Way Things Are : 

I'm standing on my pedestal
You're spitting on my grave
I'll crucify myself for your pleasure,
But don't ever call me slave,
'Cause I've made my bones, chosen my route,
When the pistols' triggered, it's time to shoot
Take every chance within my grasp
Keep kicking and fighting 'til my last gasp
And if this is the way things are, it's the way it's meant to be
If this is the way things are, it's the way it's meant to be.

No more crying, no more weepy tears
I've got no time for your indulgence, won't entertain your fears.
'Cause I've made my choice, found my voice
I know where I stand and I raise my hand,
A mountain moves and there's the proof
That the sky's the limit when you face the truth
That I'm a fucker with a mission who's at the top
The pimps that surround me won't let me stop,
They call me friend, it's a trend, it's my blood they spend
'Cause cash or crucifixion, they get you in the end.
And if this is the way things are, it's the way it's meant to be
If this is the way things are, it's the way it's meant to be.

If this is the way things are, it's the way it's meant to be
If this is the way things are, it's the way it's meant to be.
If this is the way things are, more fool me.

The Ratchets - Stray Emotions

  The Ratchets are a four piece from New Jersey who've been releasing their Clash inspired music for over a decade and who've recently unleashed killer new album First Light. It's on coloured vinyl and cd via Pirates Press and you can listen to it on Bandcamp : https://theratchets.bandcamp.com/

  They've also just re released their debut album Glory Bound (which was the first ever lp on Pirates Press) plus a vinyl version of their Heart Of Town ep and Odds & Ends which is a 13 track album of rarities, demos and covers from the vault. All those releases can be found here : http://piratespressrecords.com/ratchets-first-light-essentials-out-today/

  The band line up with Jed Engine (guitar/vocals), Zak Kaplan (guitar/vocals), Dan Desimoni (bass) and Kevin Conroy (drums) and their sound is fairly laid back punk n roll with excellent vocals that you'll find yourselves singing along with. As in the case of the song I played on a recent Just Some Punk Songs show (Dotard At The Dial), the message might be political, they might be angry but their songs are more considered and melodic than many of their contemporaries. The new album even has a decent cover of the Tom Robinson Band cover 2-4-6-8 Motorway. You can get more info, including a number of upcoming tour dates, here : https://www.facebook.com/RatchetsOfficial/

  The song I've chosen to highlight today gives you a good idea of what they're about. Well written with a catchy chorus and great riffs, this is Stray Emotions...