Aussie Ratking Okay With US Band Using Their Name

Despite sharing a name with a US-bred Laneway Festival-bound hip-hop act, Perth-based five-piece hardcore outfit Ratking ​have dealt with the resulting confusion well.

When the massive Laneway line-up dropped in October, the hardcore Ratking began to receive praise and an increase in social media interaction, when in fact it was the Harlem hip-hop group that had signed on to play the festival and two sideshows.

Vocalist for the Perth act, Josh Reeves explained to theMusic.com.au the confusion hasn’t been all bad.

“We had family and friends and random people that we’d see around come up to us and be like, ‘Man, you’re playing Laneway!’,” Reeves said.

“We joked about rocking up on the day. It’d be really funny if we did and someone let us through a little gate.”

Both bands formed around the same time, with the Harlem trio kicking off in 2011, and WA’s band surfacing a few months later at the start of 2012.

“When we made the name, they hadn't blown up yet. We kind of saw it all happen and just laughed about it and thought we’d stick to our guns. But when [Laneway] got announced and we had people ask us, they were like, ‘Aww, that sucks, would have been great to see you there’,” Reeves said.

“We did all consider [changing our name], but we started around the same time and we’ll just stick to our guns and hopefully people will recognise we’re different bands with the same name.

 "They’re really cool, and I think they’re really good. I’d like to hear what they think about us.”

The Perth-based Ratking are currently taking a break from gigging, working on material for a new record they’ll take around the country in 2015.

Ratking (Perth)

Ratking (New York)

You can find all upcoming dates for both bands in the Gig Guide or on The Music App.