Photo by Scott Treffone
“Picture this,” says RATSALAD frontwoman Jaz, “You’re driving 4 hours through the remote West Australian desert in 40 degree heat on the way to a gig, and to keep the heat off from the blistering sun ya just bloody devouring chook eggs, one after another.” (Chook eggs = the colloquial term for the local West Aussie lager ‘Emu Export’.) “You’ve pulled up for a whizz on the side of the road, and it’s basically dead flat in all directions for 100kms, and not a tree in sight,” recalls Jaz from their 2025 drive to remote 5000-person Australian town ‘Carnarvon’.
“The only way to get any sort of privacy was to use the ute on the side of the road as a shield, but obviously fuck-knuckle thought it would funny to drive off when I was mid-stream,” Jaz says, referring to RATSALAD guitarist Ken. “It’s all fun and games til the off chance arises that another car is using that road at that exact time, and I get piss all over myself trying to run back to the ute and flash my butt to the lady that drove past”. “Anyway, that’s the story of North West Coastal Highway. Hope ya enjoy it, we do cause it’s fast n fun.”
Western Australia’s RATSALAD return with ‘Pest From The West’, a loud, honest and unapologetically regional punk record that captures life growing up in a coastal country town and throwing yourself at the world.
Written in Geraldton (Jambinu, Southern Yamatji Land), the album leans into everything that defines the band; wit, chaos, community and sharp social commentary. Across the record RATSALAD balance tongue-in-cheek storytelling with more personal moments, taking aim at everything from the absurdity of modern housing prices to identity, belonging and growing up outside the spotlight of major cities.
Built on fast, melodic songwriting and high-energy delivery, ‘Pest From The West’ is designed for sweaty rooms and festival stages, reflecting the band’s rise through relentless touring, sold out shows and headline festival appearances including Nannup Music Festival and Kalbarri Open Air.
Following a breakout European tour in 2025, RATSALAD will return in 2026 for a run of major European festivals, further cementing their place as one of Australia’s most exciting grassroots punk exports.
Raw, fun and proudly from the wrong side of the map, ‘Pest From The West’ is RATSALAD at their most confident, and their utmost selves.
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