The Ratskin Family Band set fire to the already red-hot festival stage this weekend in stunning fashion. Dubbing themselves as “the first and only Drag Country band in the world”, The Ratskin Family Band immediately stand out visually, but even their fierce mugs and stunning attire play a supporting role to their untouchable musicianship and magnetic stage presence. As tensions continue to rise in narrow minds, The Ratskin Family Band lift themselves and their community above it all in a musical experience about sharing love with a healthy dose of twang.
As one of the headlining music acts at Collingwood Pride on July 10, the band stepped on stage and immediately drew attention – which is saying something at an event boasting bold colours, drag performers, dancers, and individuals in the throws of living authentically. The Ratskin Family band might call Toronto, Ontario their home base, but they command attention with comfort and ease wherever they go. Dressed in full drag and in full control of their instruments, the band launched into their set that was more than music – it was an absolute experience.
Immediately welcomed in with the warm textures and tones of bluegrass and classic country, every song felt like a surprise and they kept coming all night. The Ratskin Family Band do far more than play covers of classic songs – they rework and re-embody what makes each classic so special and infuse their own identity into it. Who knows how many times “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” or “Ring of Fire” have been played, but it’s a guarantee that you have never heard it the way The Ratskin Family band play it. Every cover is performed as a reminder that music is for the people, and is supposed to be shared as part of a greater community.
If you were to close your eyes and forget about the painted visions performing in front of you, the tight rhythms and melodies held the band’s set together and allowed for soaring flourishes of banjo and fiddle to enrapture the growing audience. The Ratskin Family Band traded lead vocal duty to deliver their versions of songs including Chappel Roan’s “Pink Pony Club”, Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5”, Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness”, and an absolutely stunning rendition of “The Devil Went Down To Georgia”. A stand out moment was the band’s medley that combined “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” and Ginuwine’s “Pony” for a tongue-in-cheek chef’s kiss. Amongst the crowd-pleasing covers, the band performed their own electrifying originals including “Trucker” and the sing-a-long rebel song “All You Fascists (Bound To Lose)”. The latter harkens back to the ethos and plucking power of Woody Guthrie – if he knew how to contour his cheekbones.
The Ratskin Family Band are brimming with musical talent that is bolstered immeasurably by their stage presence and skill for crowd work. Even on a raised stage, the band were welcoming and connected with the audience on a genuine human level. As outdoor festival sound is not known for its abundance of quality, the power and prowess of The Ratskin Family Band overcame any potential technical shortcomings and sounded flawless.
If there was a house band at a John Waters hootenanny, it better be the Ratskin Family Band.
Connect with The Ratskin Family Band:
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Bio:
The first and only Drag Country Band in the world! All pickin’ All singin’ All cross dressin’
