Doug Ratner & The Watchmen

Doug Ratner & The Watchmen were recently banned from a popular, local TV show in Western, MA for being too controversial. They played their new single, "Bomb In The Backseat" and during the song, Doug Ratner threw a lap top on the ground and started smashing it. The band were informed after the performance that management did not like their references to bombs and explosions are not allowed back. Rock N' Roll! Oh, and they are not releasing the footage online of the performance, which is not cool.

Says Doug: "Our fans are really upset with this. But in truth, it's no surprise. Mainstream media is sometimes too blind to see the truth of a rock song, taking it for negativity or violence. If they had actually listened to the lyrics, they would have seen that we're not condoning violence, merely making a strong statement about the current state of society." - Pure Grain Audio

A couple years after their full-length debut – 2009’s raucous, rambling “Eye to Eye” – Doug Ratner & the Watchmen have released another album, the condensed EP “Lessons Well Learned.” While it continues “Eye to Eye’s” heavy classic rock worshipping musical themes, “Lessons Well Learned” shows the band at their most focused to date, sporting songwriting largely inspired by social issues on top of their rock-solid sonic foundation.

Similar to “Eye to Eye,” DRAW’s core sound on “Lessons Well Learned” could easily be summed up as throwing AC/DC and the Ramones in a blender and boiling the contents. With meaty drums, grooving bass and searing guitars laying the groundwork, Ratner and the boys have certainly still got it in the simple but sweet hard rock department.

Unlike their debut, however, “Lessons Well Learned” sees the band spread their wings in the songwriting aspect, with lyrics from four out of the album’s five songs focusing on somewhat grander, more big-picture topics than those on “Eye to Eye.” The ferocious album opener “Bomb in the Backseat” is a grinding rocker about a character so fed up with society at large that he builds homemade explosives and devises a devious car-bombing attack.

The exploration of darker themes continues at the album’s mellow midway-point with “Ghost in the Mirror,” a gingerly strummed tune lyrically highlighting problems like bullying, alienation, identity issues and depression in school children. If “Bomb in the Backseat” is the EP’s darkest track, “Ghost” is the other side of the same coin, marking a stark dichotomy of the subdued, reflective narrative behind the violent aggression of the leadoff track.

Perhaps the album’s highest point is a tight cover of prog rock icons Pink Floyd’s hit “Money,” adding the vice of greed to issues raised on “Lessons Well Learned.”

Floyd covers are often amongst the toughest to do justice to, but DRAW does so with gusto, interpreting the spaced-out psychedelic groover in a hustled, barroom-brawl style. Axemen Ratner and Mark Adamski are wise not to try and copycat the legendary guitar work of David Gilmour. Instead, they refashion the lead guitar lines and solos in a fuzzed-out, psych-blues manner perfectly fitting for the fantastically revved-up 7/8 rock shuffle beat played underneath.

The one tune on “Lessons Well Learned” that thrashes about with the lyrical abandon seen previously on their debut is the rowdy closer “Take Me Home,” a Zeppelin-esque rock n’ roll stomp about girls, booze, etc. With an unabashed “woo-ooh-ooh” chorus hook over a galloping guitar line and a sizzling guitar solo, “Take Me Home” may not have the lyrical weight of the other tracks on the EP, but might just be the most fun anyway.

DRAW is still able to channel the earth-shaking classic rock as effectively as ever, but what keeps it interesting is their willingness to do so in ways other tried and true contemporary throwback rock and rollers might sheepishly avoid. The Jimmy Page-alicious riffage of “Take Me Home” and the flawless Floyd cover are obvious successes, but “Ghost in the Mirror” – while perhaps a step or two too far in the direction of public service announcement in the lyrical department – rings out as well as any slow-picked acoustic ballad straight off of Guns N’ Roses’ “Lies.”

Additionally, one of the most surprising moments on the album is the country-swing affair “Do You Remember,” a lyrical and musical homage to days long since gone by. Featuring twangy guitar and a rousing rockabilly beat, this is the Watchmen’s answer to the Stones’ “Country Honk.” Even the harmonies on the vocal hook are classic Jagger and Richards.

“Lessons Well Learned” sees Doug Ratner and the Watchmen still dutifully worshipping at the altar of throwback rock, only this time with an interesting new direction in songwriting.

Dave Coffey can be reached at dscoffey@student.umass.edu. - UMASS Collegian (c) David Coffey

Doug Ratner is far from your typical singer songwriter. His music has teeth and those teeth bite hard. His band the Watchmen are the perfect complement to Ratner’s energetic rock. His sound is an Americana Elvis Costello, circa 1979, albeit with slightly longer and more fleshed-out arrangements. "In the Backseat" is straight-up English punk pop, with a political subtext. I could do without such an obvious Pink Floyd cover such as "Money," but it seems to spit out more bile than the polished 1973 version and seems to have more of the sarcastic bite of Waters’ original demo. Midway through this EP, Ratner does get a little introspective, in a Martin Sexton sort of way. And the last two songs sound like vintage Rockpile, with Ratner borrowing equally from both Edmunds and Lowe. Everything I’ve heard from this band continues to impress. Keep it coming! (Joel Simches) - The Noise (c) Joel Simches

Fresh on the New England music scene, Doug Ratner & The Watchmen are steadily gaining momentum and credibility as a band to watch in 2012.
Recently announced as a Warped Tour band for New Jersey on July 22, the band is in the process of releasing a new EP titled Lessons Well Learned.

The five songs focus on strong social issues such as suicide, bullying, depression, gender roles and greed.

Their rhythmic sound aids in the social change they are trying to convey in their like-minded lyrics and catchy tunes.

Deviating from their first garage rock album Eye to Eye, Lessons Well Learned seemingly draws on influences from The Allman Brothers and Tom Petty: Rock'n'roll with a certain "Southern" flair. Their sound is both raw and broad, with a variety of genre combinations.

The band's energy and passion for their craft emanates clearly through the headphones, showcasing their zealous personalities and dedication to the focus of their EP. Further, the energetic and captivating guitar solos, most notably in "Money" and "Take Me Home," are sure-fire crowd pleasers.

"Do You Remember" and "Take Me Home" present playful variations in instrumental sounds and vocal interjections that are sure to have listeners' heads bopping as they connect to the music.

"Bomb in the Backseat" introduces the issue of the synthesis of technology and violence, continuing a running parallel of aggressive conflicts and forceful hard rock singing.

Overall, the concept of the EP is a noble one. Underscoring social justice seems to appeal to Smith students who may have similar values. Lessons Well Learned has a good array of upbeat and mellow songs, requiring more than one listen for full appreciation.

Doug Ratner & The Watchmen will play at the Iron Horse on March 16. Lessons Well Learned, which is being released, will be available for purchase at the event.

For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/dougratnerandthewatchmen & http://www.dougratner.com. - Smith College Sophian

By Donnie Moorhouse

These are heady times for local band Doug Ratner and the Watchmen as the group is gearing up for what promises to be a productive 2012.

The band is getting ready to release a new recording and was recently awarded a slot on the Warped Tour show in New Jersey on July 22.

“We actually won a competition held by Ernie Ball (guitar string manufacturer),” said Ratner. “The process was done partially by fan voting, and a panel of industry judges based on your music. The gig was in July, and it was nuts. It was the Nassau County Coliseum in Long Island.”

The band is also finalizing work on a new EP that will herald a new direction for Ratner as a songwriter.

“I made a decision that I don’t want to write songs about myself anymore,” he said. “My life is fine and there are other people in this world who are seeking answers, liberation, and hope. I want to follow in the footsteps of my idols, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Peter Townshend, and write music that embodies a bigger picture of society.”

Ratner says the five songs on the recording represent a different societal issue that he feels needs attention.

“Things like depression, bullying, suicide, greed, and gender roles,” he said. “It’s very heavy. For example, there is a song called ‘Bomb in the Backseat’ that tells the tale of a deranged, reclusive young kid who hates his life. He thinks the world is out to get him and as a result, he’s built a bomb via an app on his phone. It’s quite sad, but the truth is, kids like this exist, and as musicians, it’s our job to provide some light in the dark corners of their minds.”

The band is using Kickstarter, an online fundraising platform, to help develop the project.

“The idea is to try and get both fans and random strangers who might feel connected to this cause to donate something to the campaign,” said Ratner. “It goes to paying off the EP, plus the t-shirts, stickers, and new website.”

Doug Ratner and the Watchmen will play Shenanigans in Westfield on Friday, Jan. 20. Follow them online and contribute to their EP project at dougratner.com. - Springfield Republican

By Matthew Dube

Local noisemakers Doug Ratner and The Watchmen are convinced they were born in the wrong decade.

"We happen to be living in a time where that down and dirty style of rock 'n' roll is just not prominent in mainstream music, especially in the Valley," says Ratner, guitarist and vocalist. "It's still insanely popular throughout the world, because Pearl Jam sells out stadiums left and right—it's just that for young bucks like us, there aren't many groups trying to do the traditional rock thing."

Ratner, along with guitarist Mark Adamski, bassist Austin Seabury, and drummer Jimmy Farquhar, has made it his quest to carry on the proud traditions of Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend, Chuck Berry and the like. The young quartet has an affinity for deep riffs and enthusiastic live performances that have been known to include, well, humping of instruments.

"Sometimes it's a shtick, and sometimes it's not at all," Ratner explains. "Humping is a very animalistic thing to do, very carnal, and if people think, 'Damn, they're kind of nuts,' well, good, because I was feeling that way."

The band is adamant about the power of music. At a recent high school show for over 500 students, Ratner took a minute to tell the kids that being weird is cool, and you can find strength in rock.

"I'm weird. Austin's weird and Jimmy definitely is," says Ratner. "I said that rock 'n' roll is the voice of the youth and it can express anything you want it to, and the weirder the better. There was this one kid who looked at me in the eyes, threw his hands up and just screamed out in agreement. He felt it. That's our mission statement. Rock 'n' roll gave me hope, and I want the 'not cool' kids to feel it, too."

The group is working on a follow-up to a previous full-length, Eye To Eye. The new EP is a sort of concept album that addresses "bullying, suicide, terrorism, gender roles and greed."

"Each song has a strong character in it that you'll either love or hate," Ratner says. "I didn't want anything on there that was about me or the guys, but more us channeling these characters through the music. Frankly, I'm fed up with a lot of the bullshit that mainstream media is putting out—Jersey Shore, dumb talent shows, Teen Mom, things like that. It's ridiculous. This EP is anti-that."

The next year will find Ratner and crew promoting the EP and touring as much as possible, with an eye towards ever bigger venues and crowds.

"Honestly, we want to play shows to 30,000 people and just continue to make music," he says. "Look at Bruce Springsteen—he just won't stop.

"That's rock 'n' roll."

For songs and more info, visit www.dougratner.com. - The Valley Advocate

By DAVE MADELONI

Doug Ratner & The Watchmen play what they call “down & dirty rock n’ roll,” which make them a bit of an anomaly in the Pioneer Valley’s music scene. At the recent Valley Rising Compilation CD release party hosted by The Iron Horse, eleven regional acts graced the stage. Only one truly rocked.

With no hint of hipster irony, the band stalked the stage proudly wearing ripped Skynyrd and Zeppelin t-shirts. They grimaced during their guitar solos. Then at set’s end, Ratner made some of the more fainthearted squirm in their seats when he placed his electric guitar at his crotch, pointed it out at the audience, and started humping away.

The old-school arena rock and gyrations of Ratner and his cronies in a coffeehouse filled with folksters, indie pop fans and jam-banders was at turns funny, intense, and outlandish. And even though it felt out-of-place, the band was on familiar turf — they’ve sold out the Horse four times.
Ratner and his Watchmen — guitarist Mark Adamski, Austin Seabury on bass, and drummer Jimmy Farquhar seem to relish their outsider status.

“We often feel a little rebellious and like outcasts” explained Ratner in a recent email exchange. “We love that feeling, because rock n’ roll is about exposing the truths and the unique differences that can exist in a society. But all in all, it’s very cool to live here knowing that so many different types of music exist all at once.”

Ratner aspires to be seen as a serious rocker, much like his inspirations, Neil Young, Eddie Vedder, and Bruce Springsteen. He and his Watchmen are looking to find that difficult balance between nasty-loud merrymakers and thoughtful tunesmiths. To that end, they are working on a yet-to-be-titled EP that looks to loudly explore some societal ills, such as bullying, suicide, terrorism, constricted gender roles and greed.

At a local coffee shop, I asked the Longmeadow-based front man how the new project came about. “It’s funny, but it wasn’t a planned thing, like, ‘Hey we’re gonna make a concept EP!’ It just sort of happened. As we were looking over the songs we wanted to put on there, every one has a character on it that represents something in society.”
Ratner went on to discuss the socially conscious tunes targeted for the EP. “The most popular song thus far that we have been playing live and always goes over well is a song called “Bomb in the Back Seat.” At its most basic level, it is about a kid gone wrong. A kid who feels that the world has turned against him. Nobody gets him. As a result he has learned to build a bomb from an app on his iPhone and he is going to blow everybody up.

“Ghost in the Mirror” takes part of its inspiration from Pete Townshend’s “Tommy”, and serves as a prequel of sorts to “Bomb in the Back Seat.” Ratner explained, “This young kid wakes up everyday and looks in the mirror and he is not seeing what he wants to see. He is trying to find a way to look cool. Kids are picking on him. He comes home, his mom is not there, no one is home.”

I asked Ratner if the character was based on someone in his life. “I do meet young kids who I see sitting in their houses, playing video games, who are pessimistic, who are out of touch with reality. I don’t know what part of me feels the need to take that inspiration and turn it into a song which might offend some people.”

Ratner was quick to assure that there is some light at the end of the EP’s dark tunnel “Not all the songs are depressing. A song called “Do You Remember” is about a young girl growing up, trying to find exactly what her skills are. The song is essentially about her relationship with her mom. As the story progresses you see that she is using what mom told her, persevering and becoming a woman.”

According to Ratner, the composition is meant as a counterpoint to the limited role models young girls are exposed to in our culture. “I was talking with a friend and we were discussing Jersey Shore and how sickening those females are as role models for young girls. And I thought to write a song about someone who moves beyond all that, who does not take heed to all that B.S. and finds her own way.”

The record will also includes a surprising Pink Floyd tune. “We are covering “Money,” but it is not like the original. It is fast and it is heavy and it is hard. It speaks to what is going on, the greed of Bernie Madoff and Wall Street. Young kids who have never heard this song will dig it.”
The band is calling upon its fans to support the EP though Kickstarter.
In keeping with the band’s sense of the absurd, one of the incentives involves having Ratner come to your home and cook a meal as well do the dishes. And in keeping with their focus on social issues, for a $1500 contribution, the entire band will take on the neighborhood bully.

— Dave Madeloni - Northampton Media

See link - Mass Appeal

Much too often, fence-straddling, genre-bending albums come across as contrived works with a lack of direction and no noticeable motive in sight. It seems the purposeful incorporation of “this and that” creates more musical confusion than cohesion. That being said, the above does not apply to Doug Ratner’s latest studio release. And while the album’s myriad of influences is worn on the sleeve, Ratner has in fact made them see “Eye To Eye.”

The album opens to a three-track onslaught of punk-laced, guitar-driven rock. “I Still Fall” is a raucous guitar and vocal frenzy a la vintage Ramones. “Red Head” is replete with staccato guitar riff work, a healthy melding of alt and punk sensibility along with Ratner channeling Social Distortion’s Mike Ness on the vocal delivery. “As Good As it Seems” chugs along in a beachy, surf rock vein with a clever time change foreshadowing the solo at the midpoint. Then something happens…

“Dust Part 2” is the album break and marks the emergence of acoustic melody. Though only clocking in at not quite two minutes, acoustic prowess and guitar interplay are the showcase facets of the track. Between the intermittent strums and picking, the melody is infectious. My only problem is its brevity. It left me wondering where the rest of the track would/could go. Title track “Eye To Eye” picks up the album pace again with a straightforward, toe-tapping melody. And while the musicality is still there, it’s the sage lyrical matter that stands at the foreground. When I read that Ratner said the album was “very biographical” this is the track that came to mind. “Melatonin” rounds out the album with another guitar and vocal onslaught. There are no frills or effects-laden tricks here, just a through and through rock tune straight up to the anthemic midpoint guitar solo.

Despite weighing in at a slight 38 minutes, the clever arrangement of tracks makes Eye To Eye seem longer than it is. It has the necessary peaks and valleys to offer up a “complete” album and the genre mash of intelligent pop and honest rock lends likeability to all listeners. Garage-y and retro but polished and contemporary, this is a respectable outing for sure.

By Chris West – cwest@skopemagazine.com - Skope Magazine

Nate Luscombe

CHICOPEE, Mass. (Mass Appeal) - His goal in his songwriting is to give him insight into his own world of music. Her performing his song "Ahead Along" is Doug Ratner and the Watchmen.

Help Doug Ratner and the Watchmen get on the Warp Tour vote on Facebook » - WWLP 22 NEWS

This Western Mass. band shows a lot of promising creativity; the songs on Eye to Eye are catchy, with solid lyrics, melodies and cadences, and the beats are on the mark. Combined with the production, these compositions feel more like 1975 than 2010, though there are some nice guitar arpeggios woven throughout that likely were absorbed somewhere between U2 and Radiohead. Some songs are more rock ("Red Head") and some more countrified or Dead/CSNY-flavored ("Dust Part 2," "Alone Again"), but they're all well-executed and pleasing to the ear. If there's anything missing in the mix, it's a really well thought-out complementary bass part—maybe because two different players are credited on the CD. The whole effort would be well served by more sensitive work on the bottom end, more motion without noodling. Best tune: "Melatonin." —Tom Sturm - The Valley Advocate- Tom Sturm

Who Are They: Four-piece rock n’ roll band from Springfield, Mass.
Doug Ratner- guitar and vocals
Mark Adamski- guitar
Austin Seabury- Bass and vocals
Mike Lamagna- Drums

Sound like: If John Mayer and Henry Rollins had a lovechild.

Top tracks: I Still Fall (track 1), Ahead Along (track 4), Bottle Me Up (track 9)

To provide some context, I gave this CD a listen on my way back from Washington Heights to the Upper East Side after crashing at a friend’s house after a Phish show / staying up until 4:30 a.m. It’s about an hour and a half subway ride with two transfers, and I was extremely tired and looking pretty haggard from the previous night’s debauchery. I needed some music with a little punch.

Fortunately, the heavy rift and barking vocals of album opener, “I Still Fall,” provided the perfect kick in the head to keep me awake on the A train, and the next two tracks, “Red Head” and “As Good as it Seems,” followed suit.

On the fourth track, ”Ahead Along,” the tone of the album changes from driving guitar riffs and powerful chanting vocals to a slower and more rhythmic sound, and instrumental track “Dust Part 2? was perfect background music as I walked from 8th Ave. to Park Ave. to catch the 4/5 train while pretending I was in a music video. Wait, am I the only one who does that?

The rest of the album follows the same formula of heavy rock n’ roll mixed with slower, more soothing songs, and the music is hella catchy. Not to mention that these guys can friggin’ shred. On “Bottle Me Up,” Ratner’s vocals sound like that of a man who’s angrily ripping shots at a local dive, but after listening to “Alone Again” you realize that it’s probably just because he’s sad about a girl.

Eye to Eye is polished enough to be a mainstream success, but also pissed off enough that I can listen to it while pounding through the mass of people in the Union Square subway station the morning after a long night of partying. And while I appreciate anything that can distract me from the thousands of bodies I encounter during these daily commutes, I think this album is probably best enjoyed live with a slight buzz on, and a raucous- but not too raucous- attitude. - Angela

Eye To Eye 10-song CD

Okay, so you get home from a long day and smoke a badass bong and you read a story about Matthew Sweet and Marshal Crenshaw teaming up to write and produce an new album for Social Distortion, with guest appearances by members of the Posies, the original Yardbirds, the Nerves, Peter Case, Low Barlow, and maybe even Julian Cope, in a rare cameo. Then you wake up and realize that you’ve actually been listening to this full-length by Doug Ratner. Nowadays most bands who go by some person’s name are usually singer-songwriter projects more in the vein of Jack Johnson and John Mayer than the Who or the Ramones. This album is full of surprises. It attempts a bold array of garage/power pop/classic rock with loads of harmonies, psychedelic mind twists and dirty bar rock. It’s the El Rey and CBGB simultaneously smashed together onto an Andy Warhol canvas. This is an impressive piece of plastic. (Joel Simches) - The Noise

By: Dave Coffey | December 07, 2010 | ShareThis

Doug Ratner was bred for music. As a kid growing up in Longmeadow, Mass., Ratner’s love for everything sonic was honed by both his personal obsession and familial environment.

“My Mom plays the piano and my Dad was always a big classic rock guy,” said Ratner.

At the relatively young age of 12, Ratner began composing and arranging jazz pieces. By high school, he had picked up the electric guitar and played in his first band, a fusion rock group that gained a small following in his hometown. When the time to go off to college finally came around, it was only logical for Ratner to continue pursuing his musical passions. Ratner studied music at SUNY-Purchase in New York, first studying performance, and eventually switching to production.

As evidenced by his early compositional tendencies, Ratner has always been greatly touched by the genre of jazz.

“Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis and A Love Supreme by Coltrane are two of my favorite albums,” says Ratner, adding, “and Wes Montgomery is one of my favorite guitar players.”

However, after studying jazz guitar for years at SUNY-Purchase, Ratner eventually became “burned out” with the genre. This led to a reawakening of another musical love from Ratner’s youth: rock n’ roll.

“Dickey Betts and Duane Allman were a huge early impact on my guitar playing, I could sing all [The Allman Brothers] guitar solos as a kid,” says Ratner.

This musical rebirth led Ratner to revert to a more back-to-basics style of guitar playing and songwriting style. In the same vein of classic rock juggernauts such as The Who and Creedence Clearwater Revival, he set out to create music under a more straightforward rock n’ roll pretense.

Enter Doug Ratner and the Watchmen. Earlier this year, Ratner recorded and released Eye to Eye, a tight, efficient roundhouse of a debut LP. Ratner quips: “it sounds like The Rolling Stones and Pearl Jam making sweet love.” Since the album dropped, Ratner (along with his powerhouse backing band, The Watchmen) has been road testing the material on Eye to Eye in venues ranging from crowded cafes to radio shows to sold-out halls and theaters, playing both intimate acoustic shows and rowdy, full-band gigs.

Ratner is no stranger to UMass. In fact, due to a several rambunctious shows in and around Amherst in the recent past, he’s somewhat of a campus favorite.

“I always love playing UMass, and I’m really glad we’ve got a few shows there in the near future,” says Ratner.

Doug Ratner and the Watchmen’s regional tour in promotion of Eye to Eye will bring the throwback rocker to UMass this Thursday night. They will be playing a free show inside Berkshire Dining Commons beginning at 10 p.m.

“Hopefully we won’t rock the place to hard and blow the roof off while people are eating,” says Ratner with a laugh.

For more information on Doug Ratner and The Watchmen, and to stream or purchase Ratner’s debut album Eye to Eye, please visit www.dougratner.com.

Dave Coffey can be reached at dscoffey@student.umass.edu.
- UMASS

As a musical genre, good ol’ fashioned rock n’ roll is exactly what it sounds like on paper: a hard-hitting, roll-with-the-punches, guitar-solo first ask questions later kind of experience. That is, it should be all those things, as long it avoids the common pitfall of diluting itself to a more calculated standard (re: Nickelback).

Fortunately, such problems are anything but present on “Eye To Eye,” Springfield rocker Doug Ratner’s debut studio LP. This is what you call a lunch-break record: straightforward, compact and, most importantly, thoroughly enjoyable. In fact, clocking in at a lean 38 minutes, “Eye To Eye” might just rival Weezer’s back catalogue for shortest record you immediately want to listen to again.

Ratner’s throwback brand of stomping rock tunes is pretty much the 24-hour diner of music: no frills. Anywhere. Right from the get-go, “I Still Fall” is a bottle rocket of an opener. Combining AC/DC-like riffage with a clear-cut Ramones-era punk rhythmic attack, the pace is set for the next few songs.

Anyone with ears can tell Ratner is certainly well-read in the stylings of classic rock and punk, with some special attention clearly paid to the sections dedicated to The Who and The Clash, respectively. But while the majority of the album chugs along with a don’t-look-back attitude, it’s far from a one-dimensional sound. Ratner and co. clearly sport some substantial shades of surf, reggae and ska that give most of the album a rather unique, island-jammy aura over its solid rock foundation.

The latter musical motifs come to a head midway through the album at “Dust Part 2,” an acoustic beach-rock instrumental that catches the listener off-balance in the best way possible with its gentle intertwining guitars. This interesting little number opens up the mellower midsection of the album wherein Ratner formidably tackles two ballads, proving he can throw down in multiple musical and emotional shades of songwriting. Especially standing out is the slightly melancholic yet insanely catchy “Alone Again,” displaying Ratner’s softest, most melodic side on the album.

Pulling into the final stretch, “Eye to Eye” begins to pick up the pace again once more. Powering through the dark boogie blues rock of “Bottle Me Up,” the album finishes up on the frantic jolt rocker “Melatonin,” the second longest song on the record. Ending on a fade-out erratic guitar solo, the album comes full circle and ends with the similar no-holds-barred rock attitude it began with.

While there’s not exactly any virtuoso work demanded by the instrumental duties of “Eye To Eye,” the musicians clearly know what they’re doing, and then some. There’s some pretty awesome axe skills showed off in more than a few guitar solos across the board, the most notably impressive of which range from the drippingly sweet, melodic slide work in “Alone Again” to the melt-your-face-in-30-seconds-flat solo section in “Bottle Me Up.” The rhythm section constantly holds down a tight groove while weaving through a variety of styles, sometimes even in the midst of one song. It’s also worth noting the kick-butt breakdown in “Ahead Along” before the solo is about as close as you’re going to get to a drum solo in a four-minute song without it turning into a wankfest.

Overall, this album is special because it packs a wallop of a punch with its no-nonsense, flying by the seat of your pants garage-retro rock. “Eye to Eye” is a gift of epic rock n’ roll proportions in its purest form. - UMASS Collegian

Doug Ratner & The Watchmen may hail from Western MA and have built up quite a fan base throughout the east coast. If you have not heard of them yet, you soon will. They have released a new album entitled Eye To Eye. I had a chance to listen to the album and below is my review.
The band consists of Doug Ratner on guitar and vocals, Austin Seabury on bass, Mark "Turk" Munroe on drums, and Mark Adamski on guitar. Their sound is influenced by such artists as The Who, Neil Young, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and The Mars Volta.

If you like lyrics that reach in and grab you buy the heart strings and songs that make you think then DRAW is right up your alley. Their music tells a story, a story that is easy to relate to past experiences in life as it has a tendency to chew you up and spit you back out. These guys have been spit out and kept on going.

When listening to songs like "I Still Fall" and "Melatonin" I could clearly I felt as though I was listening to Neil Young or a younger Tom Waits. Each song has powerful rock lyrics with a great sound. I could feel the intensity in their guitar playing and pounding of the drums.

Songs like "Dust Part 2", "Ahead Along" and "Arise" are slower songs that highlight the bands great vocal ability as well as keeping the heart pounding with the songs rock n roll soul. While listening to Dust Part 2 I just sat at my computer and closed my eyes and was swept away in a warm wave of sound.

The new album, Eye to Eye is a collection of passionate rock tales, some brutally honest and some more poetically written. If you like rock n roll with a lot of passion then then new album from Doug Ratner and The Watchmen is for you. - Napier News

It’s not as if Doug Ratner hasn’t played the Iron Horse in the past. When he was still in high school, playing in jam sessions at The Basement on Center Street, Iron Horse owner Eric Suher saw him and invited across the street to the big time.

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Share Even so, for Ratner, who graduated from SUNY Purchase with a degree in music performance last year, a night at the Horse is still a charge.

“Oh yea, still a thrill,” he said. “To step on a stage where so many legends have performed is very cool. And the band has never played there, so they’re even more excited.”

The band is The Watchmen with Austin Seabury on bass, Mark Munroe on drums, and Mark Adamski on the guitar. The group plays with Ratner at Northampton’s Iron Horse on Saturday night.

It’s one of the best and most fun bands I’ve ever been a part of,” Ratner said.”We take the music very seriously, but we have a blast on stage. You can really feel our influences shine through the songwriting and the style of each band member.”

The group has recently released “Eye to Eye,” a CD that Ratner says could serve as a biography.

“There is not one song on there that is any sort of fabrication or made up story in order to fill up space,” he said. “I was lucky to be blessed with a team that was able to capture what I was trying to say. It’s definitely a rock album. And I’m really proud of how it all turned out.”

Ratner has already had some major highlights in his still-burgeoning music career, including a stint at Grammy Camp on L.A.

“The Grammy Camp was an awesome experience,” he said. “They picked only a handful of kids throughout the U.S. to come and learn about the music business. We met some amazing industry folks and saw first-hand how a lot of things are done.”

Ratner pulled some great lessons from the experience, specifically “the harder you work, the luckier you get,” but also holds on to a thought from Dave Marsh’s book on The Who.

“Music, rock n’ roll in this instance, is extremely important to some people,” said Ratner. “The connection that exists between the artist and the fan can run deeper than anything your ears pick up on or your eyes may see. You can tell The Who felt this way about their music, and it’s a very powerful mentality to take on when you’re an artist. I can only hope to come within a million miles of the success they had, but I’m still going to try.”

Doug Ratner and The Watchmen play the Iron Horse at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $12.50 in advance through the Northampton Box Office at (413) 58-8686 and online at iheg.com. Tickets are $15 at the door. Follow the band at dougratner.com.

- Springfield Republican

Doug Ratner was featured in the November 2006 Grammy Magazine.

"Not only is Doug Ratner a crowd favorite, (he has sold out the Iron horse Music Hall 4 times), he is a pleasure to work with. Doug and his band are professional, responsible, and they understand the "business" of music.

Hiring Doug for a gig in your club means a great night for your customers, the club, and the crowd that Doug brings.

I have been in the music business for many years. I believe Doug is on his way to becoming a star."
-- Eric Suher, President, Iron Horse Entertainment Group


"Doug Ratner & The Watchmen bring a very exciting sound to the modern rock scene. Their live scene is definitely something to see."
Greg Drew, producer and vocal coach of the stars

"The future looks very bright for Doug Ratner. His versatility shines through every aspect of his singing, playing and songwriting."
-- Greg Adams, Tower of Power

"When guitarist Doug Ratner gets fired up, smoke fills the room with clouds that help circulate the heat to every corner. He pounces on every rock and blues opportunity with emotions on overdrive."
-- Jim Santella, Jazz Improv Magazine


"Doug Ratner combines the essence of top guitarists to create a unique voice on the instrument"
-- Joe Ferry, Ph.D., Chair of Studio Productions, SUNY Purchase
- Comments Include:

Local band to play Springfield Falcons opener
by DONNIE MOORHOUSE, STAFF , The Republican


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COLUMN: LIVEWIRE

Although his father is a strong supporter of the Boston Bruins , and he claims to have a cousin who can really play the game, local musician Doug Ratner doesn't consider himself a huge hockey fan.

"I've never been an avid follower," he said "But I always did enjoy watching the sport."

Ratner will get an up-close and personal view of pro hockey on Oct. 3 when he and his band The Watchmen play at the MassMutual Center as part of the opening night festivities for your very own Springfield Falcons.

"The process was pretty standard," said Ratner. "There was an article in the paper talking about how the Springfield Falcons were looking for a local band to perform on the opening night of their season. So all I had to do was send a CD and some press info."

Ratner waited more than a month before he heard that his group had been chosen for the big game.

"We're very excited about the whole thing," Ratner said. "It will give us a lot of exposure, and give us a chance to play our music for lots of new people and hopefully make some new fans."

Ratner's Watchmen consists of Sean McMahon on lead guitar and back-up vocals, J Witbeck on bass, and Wes Bourque on drums. Ratner, known for his lead guitar wizardry, handles those chores along with lead vocals.

He describes the music as a combination of influences like Pearl Jam, The Police, The Who, and Green Day, with nods to Creedence Clearwater Revival and Neil Young. The players, all from Western Massachusetts, have been together for just under three months.

"We are all connected musically," he said of his new mates. "It is apparent when we rehearse and, most importantly, when we perform live."

While Ratner was shoring up the details of the event, he believes the group will play during warm-ups, between periods, and during post-game festivities.

The Falcons game is just one of the shows on the band's busy schedule as they tour and record their debut album.

"Our full-length album should be available by early 2010," said Ratner. "Then we want to take this as far as it can go. We take our music very seriously." - Donnie Moorhouse