Under their real names—Witold Skrzypczak (music) and Paweł Horbowy (lyrics)—they came together in Poznań and self-released their debut album just a year after forming. RAT is a record inspired by dancehall and cyberdub. On their next album, Rok Szczura, released under the Kayax label, their sound became more diverse and more reflective of their current style. That style draws heavily from the sounds of the 1980s and especially the 1990s. This era also influences their visuals, which often look like they were shot on VHS.
Rat Kru is one of those acts you’ll either fall in love with instantly or find yourself frustrated with from the very first minute. But it would be a shame to dismiss them because while they draw from traditional genres like electronic music, disco, rap, and dancehall, their unique approach to pop culture gives these genres a completely fresh twist. They are closer to Frank Zappa than The Prodigy, more like The Clash than Die Antwoord, yet they manage to surprise and delight audiences across the board. Before their performance, we highly recommend checking out their last two albums, Winogrady and Bloki i Smoki. Alternatively, you could skip any prior listening and let the experience completely engulf you. Cześć, and we’ll see you under the stage!