the von Drats

The record release party for the von Drats’ swank surf 7-inch So Long Stinktown on Toronto’s Boppa Do Down label is now
slated for December 12 at the Cadillac Lounge (1296 Queen West). The launch was originally scheduled for September until
the records didn’t show up because of pressing delays.

Vinyl might be making a comeback, “but what you don’t hear is that almost every vinyl pressing plant in North America is
out of business,” says label boss Tim Hanna, who also runs the cool record shop Frantic City (123 Ossington). “There’s
nowhere in Canada where you can get singles made any more, so we had to go to United in Nashville, which is suddenly
super-busy because all the major labels and bigger indies want to do vinyl releases. That’s why our order for 500 singles
was delayed.

“The lesson,” Hanna says, “is never schedule a record release party until you’ve got vinyl in hand.” - NOW Magazine

the von Drats were named as one of NOW magazine's Canadian Music Festival Picks of 2009's Canadian Music Week!!

http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=168462 - NOW Magazine

Toronto, ON - Stereo Dynamite Recordings are pleased to announce the signing of surfing crypt keepers: The von Drats. A band so terrifyingly groovy, one listen to their debut album "Dratsylvania" and you'll be trapped forever under their sonic spell!

Originally hailing from the mysterious Dratsylvania, the band relocated to Toronto in 2005 where their strange appearances (looking like extras from The Addams Family or a cartoon hot rod gang) and creepy, rowdy and kooky high energy surf punk live shows have made them a favorite with the local late, late, LATE(!) night ghastly Go-Go crowd.

The lightning fast long arm of the drums, Leonard von Drat, bids you welcome and keeps everyone in stitches with his rapid fire wit. An uncontrollable wildman, Dave von Drat sets the mood with the spooky sounding Farfisa organ and spastic movements that would even leave old Uncle Fester in shock. The big brother Trevor von Drat quite easily transitions from being a calm and collected surf guitar gentlemen to a garage rock growling life of the party. The werewolf cursed DanO von Drat stares wild eyed and lays down a solid and smooth bass foundation for his savage kin to play over. The youngest brother, Steve von Drat, is a surf guitar sharp-shooter and a reverb tank riding creature that will leave you in disbelief. Add to the mix on most nights, little sister Holly von Drat twisting and shaking everyone into a frenzy - and you've got a live experience that you'll never forget!

The band have just finished recording their self-produced Stereo Dynamite debut album "Dratsylvania" (set for a March 9th release date). Featuring 13 twangy and twisted tunes that should appeal to fans of 60's surf rock, horror punk, or classic monster movies. "Dratsylvania" is the soundtrack to the greatest, grooviest, demons-on-dirtbikes film you've never seen.

The von Drats are currently planning spring and summer tours.

Expect a first video from the album "Dratsylvania" to be announced shortly.

"Dratsylvania" is in-stores March 9, 2010. - Stereo Dynamite Recordings

After The Gaunts faded away to nothing, Len started up The Von Drats. The Q-bar gig was their first public show, in a tiny hole-in-the-wall club that frequently features punk bands.

And they were good. They didn't have a huge repertoire yet, but the songs they played were solid energetic surf/garage. They had added an organ to the mixture, so that gave the sound a much richer old-school feel to it.

They played a few more gigs, which I had to miss because of work, and then I saw them again at the Poor Alex. We knew ahead of time this was potential comedy, because after they had agreed to do it, it turned out to be a benefit for the White Ribbon Campaign. Well, one; Len doesn't do benefits and two; Trevor wasn't quite sure how songs about how he had to kill his girlfriend because she wouldn't stop messing around on him were really going to go over.

When we got there the place was packed, mostly with friends of the performers. The burlesque troop was hopelessly amateur - but then I've pretty much come to expect that. I long for some 75 year-old former queen of the genuine article to come out of retirement and train these girls how it's done.

The way the performance was arranged meant the band had to drag their gear on stage in the middle of the evening and started playing without even a line check. The sound was mud. The drum kit had pieces missing or broken. And when they started playing... the crowd loved them. They were tight and aggressive and all that frustration and adrenaline just came pouring off the stage.

Five song later and they're done and we're back to the bad burlesque.

The Gladstone show was much better organized show and in a much more sound-friendly venue. They played an opening slot for the Blue Demons who seemed to have developed a bit of a following in Toronto. And the Gladstone is the hipster territory of choice these days.

They intro'd a few new songs and played a really tight energetic set. They get better every time I see them. The audience this time seemed to have a much better idea of what they were there for, and they really got into the band. People danced, stomped and cheered.

The Smilin Buddha Bar show marked the first appearance of the striped shirts. Hilarious.

They've gone through a few line-up changes over the course of their first year, and by the time I saw them at Caddies, they had replaced their organist. Complete with requisite striped shirt. Nobody danced at this gig for some reason, but there was lots of whooping and hollering from the crowd. This was the show where I was introduced to their opening band, Real Gone, who were great fun. The second Buddha Bar show included old pals The Blue Demons and a band I hadn't seen before; The Eradicators who performed with a kind a slow-burning intensity.

The show they did on September 19th on Talk Like A Pirate Day was Fucking. Hysterical. I missed the one where they dressed up like cave men

I'm not sure at what point the dancer joined the band - from what I was told she just kind of showed up one day and now she's a regular part of the act. Certainly having a pretty woman bobbing around in her underwear gives you something to focus on when they are doing the instrumental numbers.

The most recent show was at the Silver Dollar, where they were headlining for a Moondog`s Ballroom gig. By that point it had been almost a year since I had seen them and I was hugely impressed by how tight they were. A lot of bands would have trouble replicating that set in a studio. I missed all the opening acts except for The Superstitions, who really impressed me. They had a female singer with a take-no-prisoners voice and a really catchy set.

Lots of fun. Seriously, check them out. - virulent.org

Finally, the moment we were all waiting for: The von Drats; the undeniable, self-proclaimed, winners of all the past surf battles, this surf battle, and all future surf battles to come! We all know that we can expect something special, as in past battles. This year's big surprise was seeing, not the regular black/white striped uniforms, rather the von Drats decked out in distorted zebra-printed costumes, showing off their caveman regalia. As the band enters the stage, each member grunts in a gutteral fashion as they viciously gnaw on pieces of chicken which dangled from their necks, including their go-go, Holly von Drat. The band delivered a high-powered set of surf and garage that had passers-by in front of the Cadillac Lounge inquiring about the music and mayhem. The crowd was wild!!! People danced as they watched the band deliver an overdose of reverb ad screeching Farfisa. Trevor von Drat sang on the vocal tunes, including the classic "Alley Oop" as a tribute to the modern-day cave man! Thank you, von Drats, for helping to organize night 2 of GLSB III. We can't wait to see what you dish out in year 4! - Tiki Tena