Brazil’s Ratos De Porão Announce First UK Shows In Two Decades

On tour with their new album Necropolítica, Ratos De Porão (Basement Rats in English, RxDxPx to those who know), the iconic band and pioneers of punk rock in Brazil, are making a major London comeback with two shows after over 20 years of hiatus. A renowned band in their homeland of Brazil, they have an immense global recognition and following, consolidated by many international tours in their 42-year career. Ratos de Porão promise a long awaited smashing performance on the 9th and 10th of September at London’s 229 Venue, along with special guests Sick On The Bus, The Vile, Cabeças Cortadas, The Varukers, Disorder, Disassociate and The Backstreet Abortions. Tickets for both dates are available via Dice and We Got Tickets.

“I think this is the right time for Ratos to play a gig in the UK, in a very good venue and with supporting bands that are part of the whole story. What we’ve been seeing for many years in the UK is, classic bands playing all the time, obviously Rebellion Fest is where it happens most often, but now it’s our turn again. The set list will go through the whole history of the band. We took all the records and also always try to play what the public wants to hear more, like the classics” (bassist Juninho)

A strong vein of political and social awareness has always run through Ratos de Porão‘s concept albums. Most recently, they have been inspired by the rise of the extreme right and the consequences of the terrible previous government on Brazilian daily life, especially in the face of Covid-19. Born from this, they recorded their album Necropolítica. It revisits the band’s crossover thrash trilogy (1987’s Cada Dia Mais Sujoe Agressivo, 1989’s Brasil and 1990’s Anarkophobia) in a concept album about Bolsonaro’s Brazil. An album which deals with themes of authoritarianism, repression and the country’s economic and social crisis.

The band never stopped evolving during the 90s, and beyond. They kept reinventing themselves and absorbing new influences in every new album, but the spirit of their crossover trilogy was always kept as the foundation on which new ideas were built. Most bands that last this long are happy to live off their past glories or try to adapt to popular trends. Ratos de Porão never fell into this trap and always knew how to use their own legacy as material for new ideas. Necropolítica is not an exercise in nostalgia, but regenerating a spirit that suddenly made sense again.