Ratpack

Ratpack is a breakbeat hardcore and rave group made up of Evenson Allen, who performs as MC, and Mark “Lipmaster” McKee. The duo forms part of the East London old school rave scene and emerges from the illegal warehouse circuit of the late 1980s.

Early scene and live work

Ratpack begins by running its own Tripcity nights in East London and is then booked for early raves including Sundance, Biology, Raindance, Fantazia and Perception. Their DJ style and sound build a reputation that takes them beyond the UK, with performances in Europe, Australia, the USA and the Far East.

Recordings

As their DJ career develops, Ratpack moves into the studio and records Searchin' For My Rizla, a track that becomes closely associated with the group. They later return to recording with new material in an old school style. In 2001 they team up with Echobass for a release based on the theme to the BBC game show The Weakest Link, with a single version that leans towards garage and a harder hardcore mix.

Style

Ratpack is identified with old skool rave, breakbeat hardcore and breakbeat, and is known for keeping within that dance music tradition while continuing to make new tracks in the same style.