Ratboys | |
|---|---|
 Ratboys performing in Chicago, Illinois in 2020 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois |
| Genres | Indie rock, post-country, indie folk, emo |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels | Topshelf, Friend of Mine Records |
| Members |
|
| Website | Official website |
Ratboys are an American indie rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 2010 by Julia Steiner and Dave Sagan. The band consists of Julia Steiner (guitar, vocals), Dave Sagan (guitar), Marcus Nuccio (drums) and Sean Neumann (bass, vocals).
Founded by songwriters Julia Steiner and Dave Sagan during their time studying at Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, the band relocated back to Sagan's hometown of Chicago in 2015 and released its debut album AOID that same year on Topshelf Records. Neumann joined the band as full-time member in 2016 and Nuccio joined shortly thereafter in 2017. The band released its second album, GN, in 2017 and began gaining acclaim while touring with other rising acts like PUP, Soccer Mommy, Diet Cig, Wild Pink, and more. Rolling Stone named GN one of the "15 Great Albums You Probably Didn't Hear in 2017", while Uproxx rock critic Steven Hyden named the album one of the best albums of the year.[1][2]
Ratboys released their third studio album, Printer's Devil, in 2020 to more critical praise. MTV called Printer's Devil "the best album of their career," while Pitchfork hailed the album's depth as "comforting and sobering all at once."[3][4] A year later in 2021, they released their fourth studio album, Happy Birthday, Ratboy, named to celebrate the band's 10 year anniversary. This album featured the band's top track, "Go Outside", which was featured in a Walmart ad campaign.
Their fifth studio album, The Window, was released on August 25, 2023 through Topshelf Records. It was recorded in Seattle, Washington with Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie. Chicago Tribune called the album, "[T]he most confident, assured version of the Chicago band's music."[5]
- ^ "15 Great Albums You Probably Didn't Hear in 2017". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. December 19, 2017. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
- ^ "Steven Hyden's Favorite Albums of 2017". Uproxx. December 5, 2017. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
- ^ "SpongeBob Memes and Childhood Artifacts Inspired Ratboys's Best Album Yet". MTV News. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
- ^ "Ratboys: Printer's Devil". Pitchfork.com. Pitchfork. Archived from the original on March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
- ^ "Chicago band Ratboys new album 'The Window'". Chicago Tribune. August 24, 2023. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.