The Rathskeller in Kenmore Square in Boston was a huge part of my life from the mid 70's to the mid 80's. The RAT was the "CAVERN" of the Boston music scene back in those days. International bands like The POLICE, THE CARS, SQUEEZE, and many more along with local acts like The NERVOUS EATERS, The REAL KIDS, THRILLS, LaPESTE, The NEIGHBORHOODS, UNNATURAL AXE, ROBIN LANE and The CHARTBUSTERS, WILLIE ALEXANDER, The ATLANTICS, THIRD RAIL, and yes, even my band The VINNY BAND played there many times.

In fact, The VINNY BAND opened for the POLICE on the first night of four nights at the RAT. It was their first show in America. There's a funny story about me buying STING a DUNKIN DONUTS coffee and donuts after their sound check. It's true. We also opened for the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS on their very first night in Boston at the RAT.

The Photo above is me in 1977 at the RAT. You'll notice that there is no graffiti on the sign. That all changed in the next two years when all the bands started to write their names all over it. I don't believe we did. It was too sacred.



This is my brother and I in 1979. Clearly the sign was not as clean. It's funny because we would play until 2:00 to 2:30AM on some of those nights. And if there was surf? Well, I'd drive straight to Hampton with NO sleep to catch the sunrise sessions. I'd usually surf until 12 noon and then drive home to get some sleep, only to turn around and repeat the night before and if there was surf, I'd be the first one on it.

Yes it's a miracle I wasn't hurt, or hurt someone else. But I was never a big drinker back in those days. Still, looking back on it all now I realize how stupid I was. I guess we all did some stupid shit when we were younger.

Cory and I had one of our first dates at the RAT in 1984. There are no photos of us together at the RAT back then. So to be here for this special night was so good. Our LP "OLAS DE SEXO" had come out in 1984. So things were pretty good back then for the VINNY Band. We were all riding high on the success of the record and our live shows.



This is us in a rare Cory Selfie on Thursday November 16th, 2017.
The mayor of Boston made this date OFFICIAL RATHSKELLER DAY.



So proud of JIM HAROLD. Can't thank him enough for the absolute honor of gracing that stage for so many years and being part of something so very special. He's not one for soft sentiment, but I told him "I LOVE You!" as Cory and I were leaving the other night. Thank you Jim. LONG LIVE THE RAT!



Left to right, Ralph, Jim Harold, Ricky, and Mark. Ricky was the originator of the "Blue Motel" The Blue Motel was when the bouncers had to bounce the drunks out of the club and the would book them a room in the Blue Motel out behind the Rat. The Blue Motel was a blue Dumpster. That was crawling with REAL RATS! Ha! There are a million RAT Stories. A million.



A great night was had by all. There is a gallery that Cory and I shot down in
the photo section. Go check it out.



OK to all the adults who ride their bikes through the woods in November. Please be forewarned here and now. To IMPEDE a deer hunter by yelling at them and screaming through the woods, and crossing over into their field of fire on both PUBLIC and PRIVATE (where WE have permission) Property is against the law. AGAINST THE LAW.

To the TWO surfers who yelled at the hunter on Saturday (Veteran's Day) you need to apologize to that hunter and the other hunters who you IMPEDED upon. One of you already has, the other needs to be a man, and apologize to them. There are 2 other witnesses to that uncalled for OUTBURST. And they will PRESS Charges if they don't hear from you. November is Deer hunting month. You bike riders can ride your bikes 11 out of the 12 months of the year. GIVE THEM A BREAK.

"The RATHSKELLER and Rock and Roll Heals All Wounds"

This week's Ed's corner pic is from June 9th, 2013. This is Ryan Reed. Ryan is one of the many Ryan's who live and surf here.
Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.


Now for Some International News
How many people on the planet like AC DC? A billion? At least. One of the founding members Malcolm Young passed away at age 64 from dementia. The Rhythm player to his younger brother Angus was one of the greatest Rhythm players to ever grace the big stage.



REST IN PIECE MALCOLM YOUNG. It's a long Way To The Top
but I think you've made it.



OK this shit is getting tiresome. The latest woman abuser/child molester is Senator Roy Moore GOP. This cowboy pictured above wielding his pistol ,on stage at a rally is the latest in a series of politicians and celebrities who are being accused of molesting women and under aged teens. Roy you were 32 years old when you attacked that 14 yr old. Now I realize this is an accusation, but when the women are coming out in droves? You have to think that something is up. And Roy your time is up. Step down.

Speaking of other horny politicians...there's the latest accused Al Franken. Now Al at least has come out and apologized. But honestly what choice did he have? I mean look at this pic of him? Hello?



I've often wondered how a comedian could go from being a comic to a serious politician. That's a transition that is wrought with woe. You can't take the comic out of a person. I know too many comics. They are born funny and die funny. They can't help themselves.

This is not funny for a politician. .

KSM Photoshop of the Week
So Senator Franken has sought out some serious counsel and therapy. Don't ask me how KSM ended up being with Al but like I said before, once a comic always a comic. So none of us are surprised that KSM is offering Franken some legal advice over his latest problems. Though I'm not sure what KSM is doing in a dress. Nor am I sure what this hand gesture is all about.



So my friends, please take advantage of this weekly photo shop of the mastermind who planned 9-11 and resulted in the deaths of 3,000 innocent civilians by KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed).

*Note to self -must pick up a case of "Bibles" DVD's
at Home Depot this week.



CONGRATS TO THE WHS WARRIORS for going 12-0 and Winning the State Championship. McGEE (Andrew Mills) is a champ! Well done Warriors Well Done. So proud of these kids. I'm not at all surprised that McGee would turn out this way. He was playing football before he could walk. And there was NO ONE tougher than that kid. Congrats to all the players and coaches.
12-0 this is one for the ages.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!



Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 13 years.
** BUY a HIGH RES Photo from any of the weeks on RPOTW.

Remember my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph

(Above) Julie Nosewalker is fun to watch. Friday November 17th, 2017
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Black and white barrels. November, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This wave looks metallic. November, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Ralph, Oedi, and Cory. Thursday November 16th, 2017 |
Photo by CORY *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) My old friend Steve Cataldo. Still banging them out with his 500th version of the NERVOUS EATERS. Thursday November 16th, 2017
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) The MAN...Mitch. He gave us our first break. I loved this man. Thursday November 16th, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos


Ole Crackie shares some words of wisdom and some of the things that he is truly thankful for...he is very insightful and heartwarming. Happy Thanksgiving All You Crackie fans....you dumb asses! Now GIT OUT MY FACE!