The Ratchets
"Heart of Town"
Hell Bent Records

Picked this CD up when I saw New Jersey’s Ratchets open for Australian punk/RnR legends the Saints. I’d been wanting to check ‘em out for quite some time, but I would always find out about a show the day after it happened. You get six songs and 20-some minutes of rock and roll punk, with some reggae thrown in.

Big, Give ‘em Enough Rope -era Clash sounding guitars and anthemic, socially conscious lyrics. They’re as original a band I’ve heard in a long time, too. The Ratchets are making a name for themselves, and for a good reason. Check ‘em out live, it’s where they really shine.

Featuring former members of Jersey luminaries Worthless and Plan A Project.


Reviewed by: Sal Lucci
Reviewed on: August 7, 2005