This kinda gives a flavour of what's been happening over the last six months or so. It was put together to keep fans and friends alike the opportunity to keep up to date with developments and anything else that may be of interest.
This is the official news straight from The Official Vaseline Rats team!
*Check out what they've been saying about us.*
July 2008
16/7/08
The new V-Rats album is available now!
The album features original artwork by world-renowned artist Rodney Matthews and is available at Amazon.co.uk
Recorded at Magnums 'M2 Studios' the responses so far have been overwhelming!
Thanks to Simon and Hilary at BPH Design in Halesowen and Karen, Emma and Nik at SRT in Cambridge for pulling out all the stops to produce a great product!
Had some great shows over the last couple of weeks, thanks to Tony at Loop Promotions.
June 2008
As we approach the end of June, The V-Rats album 'Intelligent Design' is now at the manufactures and will be available for sale in the next three weeks!
Thanks everyone for the advance orders, we will be shipping it out ASAP!
Cheers to Simon and Hilary at BPH for their hard work in working to such tight deadlines.
The countdown starts now!
We have four shows in July lined up. Check out the live section for details and hope to catch up with you all at one of these gigs.
The new look web site will coincide with the launch of Intelligent Design, so make sure you check it out and let us know what you think!
May 2008
31/5/08
Had a great couple of shows at The Robin 2 and the Tardebigge. Thanks for coming out and supporting The V-Rats and live music! Great to meet existing fans and make new ones as the phenomena which is The V-Rats continues on a roll!
The album is on schedule for release and can confirm that the album cover is currently being designed by world renowned artist Rodney Matthews. He has been in great demand for record cover design, having done more than 70 for artists including Thin Lizzy, Nazareth, Asia, The Scorpions, Barclay James Harvest, Magnum and Rick Wakeman! So, The V-Rats are more than pleased to have an original piece of artwork for us gracing the new album!
June will see The V-Rats returning to The Base Studios for another live webcast show for Kerrang Radio. We will let you know the date as soon as we have it! Watch this space!
April 2008
20/4/08
The V-Rats album ‘Intelligent Design’ is now finalised.
Many thanks to Mark and Sheena at M2 Studios.
The running order for Intelligent Design will be:
• No Good For Me
• Dirty Little Secret
• Know Definition
• ‘et al’
• ‘Lisa’
• Point Of No Return
• So Over You
• All The Ones
• South Of My Heart
• Devil To Pay
• Blood Demons & Whisky
We’re aiming to have it available for release the middle of June and yes! We will be having a launch party!
Regrettably we have had to drop CTVC off the album, as we couldn’t get a publishing license from the Jimi Hendrix estate. We sent them a version of the track and apparently when I spoke to them they claimed the guitar was TOO accurate and said we had sampled Jimi’s riff in computer software!
The fact is Paul May played the riff too accurately for them and they didn’t believe it wasn’t a sample! I’m sure Jimi would have given us his blessing but there you go!
Either way, we’re looking to getting the album out. It’s an absolute scorcher!
Speaking of Paul May. He now along with Mike Dejager is an official Marshall Amplification Endorsee! Well done Paul and thanks for the support from the guys At Marshall Amplification.
Look forward to catching up with you all at The Robin 2 gig on the 27th.
March 2008
21/3/08
Been busy finishing off the album in M2 studios. Should have the album mixed and mastered by the end of March. It's sounding stunning and can't wait to get it out for everyone to hear.
Thanks to everyone for keeping the faith and coming to the live shows and supporting original live music!
The Adam & Eve gig didn’t go quite how we expected. But with a few calls and texts we got everyone together for a great party on the Wednesday night. Great fun, great networking opportunities and more shows booked.
Have news of a fantastic new endorsement deal with a legendary UK company. News and pictures to follow!
Catch you soon,
MZ
February 2008
10/2/08
Had a great gig with Kerrang Radio at the Base Studios.
The show was sent out all over the internet as a pod cast - had a great response!
We were asked to do a track with up and coming sensation 'Marika' for one of her numbers which were more than happy to do, not a bad show all round considering we put the whole thing together in less than 48 hours!
Thanks to Andy McNeice at Melodic Rock for the support at a short notice! A great rock site worth checking out and adding to your favourites!
We'll be performing at the Guitarist TV awards in a few months, more details to follow.
Paul May now has his own web site up and running and can be found at: http://www.paulmaymusic.com/
Look forward to catching up with you all on the 21st at J.B's!
MZ
5/2/08
In Concert with Kerrang Radio! See Live Section!
January 2008
24/1/08
Back in the UK and ready to rock!
A great time over at The NAMM show! As always, extended thanks to our good friends and sponsors PJ Rubel, OZ and Stewart at Spector Bass Guitars, Neal Earlleen and Dean at Moser Custom Guitars, Mark at Ashdown Amplification, Jason at Hipshot, Thomas at Tec Amp.
Had a great show with some amazing drummers on the Friday. If you want your jaw to hit the floor check out Derico Watson and Brian Frasier- Moore! Amazing!
Many thanks to Glenn Hughes for his time look forward to catching up in the UK soon! Also thanks to bass virtuoso Leland Sklar (currently playing with TOTO) for his time, what a gent!
Thanks to Tom, Brooke & Paris Stewart for all the help. Look forward to the tour next year (more to be revealed)
Met so many funky people over the four days at NAMM, I could dedicate pages and pages, so just want to say thanks to everyone we did meet up with and make our time so special.
So, apart from the NAMM show I’ve been putting some bass down for my good friend and guitarist Paul May with his band ‘The Temple Dogs’ and working on a video to promote his new album.
Got some magazine and interviews coming up and will all coincide with the launch of the new album in the next couple of months.
There are new shows in the ‘Live Section’ and look forward to catching up with our fans and supporters and these shows. Make sure you come up and say hi!
If you’re interested in booking The V-Rats in 2008. Just drop us an email with some details.
Photos coming soon.
December 2007
20/12/07
A final update for 2007.
Just taking the opportunity to say 'thanks' to everyone for the support and encouragement for this year!
We have had to overcome many obstacles from naysayers and negative individuals who thrive off bad news like junkies!
But coming to the end of 2007 and reviewing all we have achieved, the good really outweighs the bad!
The great reviews from all over the world, the airplay and continued support from Moser Custom Guitars, Spector and our friends and family are all invaluable. And of course, our fans who fuel our engines!
The album is finally finished and will be compiled and mastered for March 2008. Thanks once again to Mark and Sheena at M2 studios for their expertise and patience.
Keep an eye on the Live section, dates are being confirmed for 2008.
Happy Christmas and Hanukah! Every success and blessing for 2008 from Pete MZ Emms, Paul May, Mike Dejager and Adrian Badland!
For more pictures visit our gallery.
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