THE RAT OPERA Starring: Rob Elba (vocals, guitars) Brian Franklin (vocals, guitars) Russell Mofsky (guitars, noise) Andre Serafini (drums) William Trev (bass) Diane Ward (vocals) Ali Culotta (vocals) Additional vocals featuring the Rat Opera Chorus: Amy Baxter Bobby MacIntyre Tony Landa Created and Produced by Rob Elba and Brian Franklin Recorded at the Dan Hosker Studio in Miami Beach and Beach Sound Studios in North Miami. Engineered by Bill Blackstone and Andre Serafini at Beach Sound Studios and Frank “Rat Bastard” Falestra at the Dan Hosker Studio. Additional vocal tracks recorded by Bobby MacIntyre at Studio 71 in El Portal, Florida. Mixed at Studio 71 by Bobby MacIntyre Mastered at Capitol Mastering by Bob Vosgien Cover art by Juan Montoya Graphic design by Diane Ward Thank you to everyone who has supported this effort over the years, and to Rat for providing such great material (and support). Special thanks to Mr. Mark Eitzel and Mr. Robert Pollard, who indirectly – and unknowingly - helped inspire this project. All songs written by Rob Elba and Brian Franklin except the last 90 seconds of Outside this Bar, which covers a portion of (the amazing) Outside this Bar written by Mark Eitzel. © 2015 NOETA Music, BMI In memory of Dan Hosker, Bobby ‘Load’ Johnston, and Gayle Stamas. SONG DESCRIPTIONS WINGS AND PARTS PT1 Bernando, disgusted by all the attention Rat’s band Scraping Teeth is getting for being voted Worst Band In America, mocks Rats day job as a ramp rat at Delta. BOY CALLED RAT Rat’s mom worries what will become of her little boy – and wonders what those strange noises are coming from his room. FRANCIS IS SPECIAL Mrs Falestra (Rat’s mom) and Rat’s guardian angel Robert Pollard (of the band Guided By Voices) try to understand what exactly IS going on under that beanie. TAKE OUT THE KEYS Rat has taken all the black keys out of the studio’s Wurlitzer Organ – because “it sounds better that way”. THE WORST BAND IN AMERICA Bernando and Miami Herald reporter Rian argue over the merits of being crowned “the worst band in America”. ASLEEP AT THE BOARD Aspiring singer/songwriter Rian is trying to lay a song down at Rat’s studio, but the track is very long and Rat is very sleepy… YOU’LL WRITE GOOD COMMERCIALS Upon hearing Rian’s attempt at writing a hit, Rat mockingly exclaims: “you’ll sell a lot of cars with that song!” OUTSIDE THIS BAR Rat has been thrown out of the club during the city’s music festival, but that doesn’t stop him from performing his favorite Mark Eitzel song a cappella…at the top of his lungs! SQUELCHER Rat’s newest creation, the Laundryroom Squelchers, hits the stage for the first time. ALL YOUR TONE IS WRONG Rat schools Rian on his strict rules for being a consummate performer, and not sucking. HE'S MY NOTHING Rat’s old flame sings about a man who’s hard to love, and even harder to forget. GLORY HOLE BASTARD GHOST Rat’s current girlfriend Charli is sick of hearing about all his old haunts – and wants to set the record straight as to who the bastard’s heart belongs to. THAT’S NOT MUSIC Bernando proclaims that whatever it is Rat’s doing, it’s not music, and swears that he could “give it soul”. BALLAD OF THE RAT Rat explains to everyone why he’s the king of the freaks and they all suck. WHAT'S OUR GODDAMN PLAN, NOW? Rat finally realizes that he cares for Charli and may have taken her for granted, and they both vow to sort it all out at Churchills. WINGS AND PARTS II The duality of Rat’s life (ramp rat by day, noise star by night) is celebrated, with a little help from Mr Robert Pollard himself. WINGS AND PARTS (REPRISE) He’s been up for forty hours, but he’ll STILL service your plane and make your ears bleed, and you can call him RAT!