20 years into their long and storied career, Rancid Vat is still a musical force to be reckoned with. Their aural attack is an unrelenting dose of brutal rock and roll; subsequently, they've been banned from clubs from coast to coast but that hasn't stopped them one bit. They just keep finding new place to play and subsequently get banned from. Originally based in Portland, OR The Whiskey Rebel & Marla Vee recorded a slew of albums and 7"s with their Pacific Western co-horts, a number of which went out of print quickly and later snagged a hefty fee in the "collectors" market - firmly establishing the band's cult status, before relocating to the East Coast in the mid-'90s where they hooked up with the Cosmic Commander of Wrestling and Perfect (and later Jimmy Satan) and continued releasing a slew of albums and 7"s. (The Cheesesteak Years CD is a retrospective of the Hostile City era of the band.) In 2001 Reb, Marla and their son Elvis left Philly to set up shop in sunny San Marcos, TX but this is by no means the end of Rancid Vat - they've recruited new members and are forging ahead as a "Texas band"; in July 2002 they had their first show with the new line-up and none other than Elvis Rotten on vocals. Check out the Brilliancy Prize website for more info.

Rancid Vat rip it up with some dangerous, run for cover, punk rock that's 100% piss off and fuck you rock & roll. They play bad ass punk like a more Northern ANTiSEEN but the shit kicking rock of Rancid Vat is fueled by alcohol, old ECW and life in Philly. This CD features such Philly inspired classics as "Hostile City USA," "Mummer Massacre" and more songs of brotherly hate.
—Toxic Flyer #34

A collection of some of the most colorful and unique musicians in rock and roll. Front man The Cosmic Commander of Wrestling, the infamous Whiskey Rebel and Marla Vee, Eric Perfect, and Jimmy Satan tore through "Hostile City, USA" (Philadelphia) in the 1990's blowing up clubs and recording some of the most over the top, crazy lyric laced rock and roll ever for a sure to be stunned and amazed posterity. Can you imagine future archaeologists finding and listening to "Hot and Nasty", "Mummer Massacre", "Old People", and "Tattoo Boogie"?Weird, wild, and wooly.
—TangerineMagazine.com

SPLIT 7" REVIEWS:

Rancid Vat: A loud, rude, swaggering punk rock anthem for every schmo who's ever had to work a shitty job. Hammerlock: An equally rockin' homage to Thee Whiskey Rebel, who happens to be in Rancid Vat. One hot piece of wax.
—Razorcake.com

Perhaps this is a split with a theme... an ode to The Whiskey Rebel perhaps? Okay, so he's in Rancid Vat (and I have read his column in Hit List), but obviously he has impressed Hammerlock enough to write a song about him and go on a long winded speech on how great the man is in their liner notes. Musically, punk with a strong rock and roll edge. On the flip is Rancid Vat, who seem to have been plugging away for years. This is the first time these ears have heard them. Solid stuff. Straightforward punk rock, with an early 80's feel and a great guitar sound. Yeah, I'd enjoy a full length from them for sure.
—Caustic Truths #78