Origin of the species

The idea and concept of 'The Vaseline Rats' has been around for some time now, headed up by bass guitarist and vocalist Pete MZ Emms.

The V-Rats - rock'n'roll vermin

A question MZ is asked all the time is "Where did you get the name Vaseline Rats?"

MZ replies, "Well, some years ago, after leaving one of my old bands A.N.D., I was putting a new band together. I was struggling to think of a name for us when a couple of incidents happened and fate kinda took over. I'd been harassing some management teams in London. One was Simon Napier Bell with former Deep Purple and Whitesnake manager John Coletta. John was very surprised to see me at a private party I’d used my 'initiative' to get into. His words were "Bloody hell MZ! You can get into places a Vaseline rat couldn’t get!" The name kinda stuck in my head.

The following day I read an article about the LA rock scene in which a journalist described the lifestyle of rock musicians as 'no better than vermin in the city'. John Coletta's words came back to me and I thought 'yeah, The Vaseline Rats, rock n roll vermin' and so the V-Rats were born!"

[ The Vaseline Rats ]

[ MZ with former Rats drummer Alex]

The band has been used as a vehicle to produce and promote great songs and raise the profile of those who have contributed. Many musicians have come and gone using The V-Rats as a springboard to successful careers, obtaining sponsorship deals, tour bookings and making many profitable contacts as a result of their involvement.

The V-Rats concept was always one of a 'fluid project'. An answer to the stale and stagnant approach that sometimes prevails in the music business. The Rats, more often than not, challenge the normal way of doing things.
MZ has invited many guitarists and drummers to record on songs at his attic studio working on a pre-production material, with full production work taking place at both Magnum's 'Madhat Studios' and favourite Judas Priest haunt 'The Old Smithy'.

The V-Rats have raised their musicianship in spectacular fashion as the live backbone for a tour of the United States as part of a celebration of 20 years of 'New Wave Of British Heavy Metal' with Al Atkins (Judas Priest), Jess Cox (Tygers Of Pan Tang) and Dennis Stratton (Iron Maiden, Praying Mantis). The Band in the States was billed above Testament, Obituary and Ice T! And of course, went down a storm!

On the New York show, the band was joined on stage by Seven Witches vocalist James Rivera to do a bludgeoning version of the Judas Priest classic 'Victim Of Changes'. Following on from the success of the tour, the V-Rats were asked to continue with further live shows in the US and Europe with the combined forces of Den Stratton and Al Atkins under the name The DENiAL.
Recent material to have been recorded with ex Priest vocalist Alan Atkins also features legendry Diamond Head guitarist Brian Tattler on the blistering track Pete MZ Emms wrote, 'Blood Demons and Whisky'.

[ MZ and Mike Dejager]

[ MZ with Mike de Jager ]

The Vaseline Rats continue into the new year in a live format to establish their place as a vibrant and relevant live act, as well as recording new material.

We continue to receive encouraging responses from all quarters of the industry, with endorsements from Spector Bass Guitars NYC, Moser Custom Guitars LA, Ashdown Amplification UK and Tech 21 NYC. Pete MZ Emms is a regular invited visitor to the prestigious NAMM show in California to conduct clinics and workshops.