nothing left to lose

Release date: November 15th, 2024

Song list

1. You're Like Me *
2. No Heroes
3. Choose *
4. Greatness Escapes
5. Hope

No explicit lyrics, FCC clean. Suggested tracks: 1, 3.

Signposts

Post-punk / new wave influenced indie rock. Talking Heads, R.E.M., Joy Division, The Replacements, Sonic Youth — all influences that come through in different aspects to make something a bit different.

What people said

Seattle-based indie band 72 Rats isn't here to play by the rules. They're making music for the sheer thrill of it, and that energy radiates through every note.— TUNEPICAL

With their mix of gritty realism and poetic storytelling, 72 Rats crafted a song that resonates with anyone who has felt lost in the noise of the world around them.— TEMPO STUB

Like Joy Division meets the Americana of Wilco — surprisingly a great combination. A base of influences that's just right, but with a reverby atmosphere that brings something different.— Michael T

"No Heroes" has an awesome slow burn, a dark Lou Reed vibe with a great anthemic chorus. The last three are jangly college-radio smash hits. It all blends together for a very unique sound.— Frank R

Credits

All songs written by Graham Bremner. Graham Bremner — vocals, guitar. Mira Tsarina — bass, mandolin, percussion. Carl Christensen — drums, percussion. Recorded, mixed, and mastered at Peel Studios by Michael Springer. Album design by Graeme Hunt Design.

I witnessed the 80s/90s/00s college and indie rock explosion first hand and internalized it all, merging it with a foundation of punk, new wave, and good old rock. I've been writing and refining music for about a decade as 72 Rats, with multiple earlier bands and projects across space and time.

In 2022 I wanted to do something more than the home recordings I'd been making, so I went looking for people to perform and refine the songs with. No place better to start than a classic dive-bar open mic — Darrell's Tavern in Shoreline, near Seattle. Mira hosts the open mic; Carl was there promoting his own band's show. The sound engineer, Michael Springer, has a studio: Peel Studios.

From the first rehearsal I knew I'd made the right choice — Mira and Carl had great ideas and tweaks that helped the songs shine. We said "fuck the grid," skipped the click track, and trusted that groove and feel matter more than precision (the parts still have to be played right). Due to life — and a death — it took a few months to finish. I went all out: green 180-gram vinyl at 45 RPM, CDs, stickers, and t-shirts, with artwork by Graeme Hunt. Now it's time for the world to hear it.