John Blek and the Rats are a six-piece folk and country group from Cork City whose infectious brand of Americana influenced balladry has travelled up and down the roads of Ireland, the UK and Europe, kicking up the dust in the dark corners for the last two years.

Born in the modern day dustbowl that is Ireland, John Blek and the Rats take inspiration from range of musical styles such as the outlaw country of Willy Nelson, the protest ballads of Woody Guthrie, the 100 mile-an-hour lyricism of Jack Keruoac and the melancholic country rock of Neil Young. Despite their musical roots being deeply embedded in the past, John Blek and the Rats have a sound that is fresh and modern, while also doffing its hat to a gonebye era. The streak of melancholy that runs throughout their music is tempered only by their penchant for footstomping rhythms and contagious choruses, a passion for revelry and, at times, lunacy.

"Kilkenny Roots Festival isn't about the big moment. It's about stumbling around town between deep drafts of local brew Smithwicks, hearing a bluegrass or rockabilly or folk or jug band seeping through the doorways of minuscule bars. It's about discovery of bands like John Blek and The Rats" MOJO

"A rousing debut at this years Kilkenny Roots festival, and one of the most talked about acts of the weekend" Cleeres.ie

"Not since BOB LOG III's Clonakilty Guitar Fest debut have a band created such a feverish buzz of anticipation!!. . . get ready for some insanely debaucherous footstompin' lunacy" De Barras.ie

"John Blek & The Rats brought a charming Americana folk sound to the Circus Tent on Friday for one of the musical highlights of the weekend." Knockanstockan Review 2 U I Bestow Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.