Essex born singer songwriter RAT BOY selects 10Trax that inspired his Ska and Punk influences in his music.

'Gangsters' by The Specials

One of the first ska songs I ever heard when I was around 9. I bought my dad a Suited and Booted compilation CD for Father’s Day. I played that double CD every day and I still have it! I remember watching all the old grey whistle test stuff and watching stuff about ska on YouTube after having this CD. When I got into making music later on I learned that it’s kind of a cover but not… as a lot has changed. It’s originally by Prince Buster called 'Al Capone'. I kinda see this as like one of the first forms of sampling. Taking a record and what you like and making it your own.

'Time Bomb' by Rancid

One of my favourite songs ever. I think this is classed as the third wave of ska. I love it when ska is mixed with other styles. Punk and ska! It has insane energy and Tim’s vocal are like rap or story telling. It reminds me of children’s stories by Sick Rick, where the story is as important as the music.

'Top Man' by Blur

This is one of the most underrated Blur songs in my opinion. I know ska is always thought of being upstrokes on a guitar but I think story telling is such a big part of it and sarcastic, tongue n cheek lyrics. Like 'Shame and Scandal in the Family' that Madness did a cover of. Maybe I’m wrong but this is one of the songs I think of when i think of ska.

'Bankshot' by Operation Ivy

This track has unreal energy. I wish I had a riff this cool for a track. You know it’s good when you only need a couple words. I wish I could have seen this live.

'Israelites' by Desmond Dekker

My parents used to play this song when I was a kid so it’s a pretty nostalgic song for me. Also Desmond Dekker is the king of ska!

'The Lunatics (Have Taken over the Asylum)' by Fun Boy Three

Terry Hall's vocal delivery gives me goosebumps every time, his lyrics are incredible. I used to think shouting over a song was the only way of sounding pissed off but Terry Hall manages to do it with a whisper. The production on this track is killer too, the drum machines and weird organs are pretty hip hop.

'Baggy Trousers' by Madness

This is a song I wish I had written. I love the lyrics and how they were written in the 80s, they are still so relevant. I remember we used to play this at house parties and all my friends and I knew every word. It’s timeless. 

'54-46 Was My Number' by Toots & The Maytals

Classic. Another one that I think will never get old. We played before Toots at a festival a few years back we climbed up the stage scaffolding on the side and watched them play from above. Toots' stage presence was incredible.

'Skinhead Moonstomp' by Symarip

My dad showed me this song when I was a teenager. Way back in 2015, we released the second single for rat boy, 'FAKE ID',  I sampled the intro of this track into the breakdown. There’s always been hidden ska in rat boy music.

'Play My Record' by Arthur Kay's Originals

I heard this for the first time the other day. It’s new to me but Arthur's voice is sick and hook is huge. I don’t understand why it’s not bigger. It's on my playlist now, I would love to do a cover in the future.