The Rats

The Rats were a punk rock band formed in London, England in 1976. They were part of the first wave of British punk bands and are often credited with helping to popularize the genre. The band was fronted by singer and guitarist Pete Shelley, who was also the main songwriter. Other members included bassist Gary Roberts and drummer Dave Tregunna.

The Rats released two studio albums, "The Rats" (1977) and "Anomalies" (1978), before breaking up in 1979. Their music was characterized by its fast tempos, catchy melodies, and political lyrics. The band was also known for their raucous live shows, which often featured stage diving and crowd surfing.

The Rats were one of the most popular punk bands in the UK during their time, and their music continues to be enjoyed by fans of the genre today. They have been cited as an influence by many subsequent punk and alternative rock bands, including Green Day, The Offspring, and Rancid.

Pete Shelley died of a heart attack in 2018 at the age of 63. Gary Roberts died of cancer in 2012 at the age of 56. Dave Tregunna is still alive and continues to perform with various bands.

In 2019, a documentary film about The Rats was released, entitled "The Rats: The Punk Rock Pioneers of Manchester". The film features interviews with Shelley, Roberts, Tregunna, and other members of the band's entourage.