Rat Scabies: Difference between revisions

Rat Scabies
Rat Scabies
	Rat Scabies, late 1970s/early 1980s
Background information
Birth name	Christopher Millar
Also known as	Rat Scabies
Born	30 July 1955 (age 69)
Origin	Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, England
Genres	Punk rock; new wave; gothic rock; post-punk;
Occupation(s)	Musician, producer
Instrument	Drums
Years active	1976–present
Labels	None

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Christopher John Millar (born 30 July 1955), known by his stage name Rat Scabies, is a musician best known as the drummer for English punk rock band the Damned.^[1]

Career

Millar was born in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey. He played drums with Tor and London SS before founding the Damned with Brian James, Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible in 1976. In his audition for London SS, he obtained the nickname Rat Scabies after he was suffering from scabies when a rat ran across the basement floor.^[2]

The Damned played their first gig supporting the Sex Pistols, and later released the first punk single in the UK, "New Rose". Scabies played with the Damned with some interruptions and alongside various personnel changes until a dispute over the release of the album Not of This Earth led to his departure in 1995.

His solo work outside the Damned includes a cover version of Bob Dylan's "This Wheel's on Fire", credited to "Rat & The Whale".^[3] In 2003 Millar formed a short-lived outfit called the Germans with Peter Coyne and Kris Dollimore, originally from the Godfathers. In recent times, he has played with Donovan, Nosferatu, ska artist Neville Staple (formerly of the Specials) and his band, Dave Catching (Eagles of Death Metal), Chris Goss, the Members, the Mutants, the Spammed, Urban Voodoo Machine and Jane Horrocks. He has also worked as a producer, including with Flipron and Ebony Bones.^[4] In May 2018 he released his solo album P.H.D. (Prison, Hospital, Debt).

On 17 November 2023, the Damned announced that Scabies had returned as a permanent member.^[5]^[6] In February 2024 The Damned announced that for the first time in 35 years they would be doing a ten date North American tour featuring their 1980's lineup of Scabies, Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible and Paul Gray.^[7]

Personal life

Millar lives with his wife Viv and their three children in Brentford, and is the central character of the book Rat Scabies and The Holy Grail, written by former music journalist Christopher Dawes. The book was published in May 2005 and is billed as "A road trip, a rich historical yarn, and testimony to the odd nature of a great many friendships".^[8]

Equipment

Scabies uses vintage Leedy & George Hayman drum kits. Over the years he has played various brands, starting with a John Grey 'Autocrat' kit in turquoise sparkle finish, before playing a black Pearl Maxwin kit (early 1970s to 1976), a white Pearl kit (late 1976–1981), a white Premier 'Resonator' kit (1982–1983), a Premier 'Black Shadow' kit (1984–1985), then a Premier 'Resonator' in piano black finish (1985–1996).

Discography

Albums

Lord of the Flies (Nosferatu with Rat Scabies) (1998, Cleopatra Records (U.S.A & Canada, Hades Records (U.K. & Europe)
Spiteful (Sonny Vincent & Spite Featuring Rat Scabies, Glen Matlock, Steve Mackay) (2014, Still Unbeatable Records)
P.H.D. (Prison, Hospital, Debt) (2018, Cleopatra)

Singles

"Wheels On Fire" (as The Rat and The Whale) (1980, 7", Single)
"Millionaire" (Magic Michael with Rat Scabies & Captain Sensible) (1980, 7", Single)
"Let There Be Rats" (1984, 7", Single)
"Mary Ann" (Sonny Vincent & Spite Feat. Rat Scabies, Glen Matlock & Steve Mackay) (2015)
"Chew On You" (2018, Cleopatra)

References

^ The Damned's Rat Scabies: 'We were self-destructive – every time we made it, we did something daft'. The Guardian. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
^ The Damned: how we made New Rose. The Guardian. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
^ "Dylan Cover Albums". Retrieved 19 August 2020.
^ "BBC - Press Office - Pretty Ancient". Bbc.co.uk.
^ RAT'S BACK!!! We're excited to announce that Mr. Scabies has rejoined the band for tours, festivals and more in 2024!. The Damned on X. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
^ RAT'S BACK!!! LEGENDARY DRUMMER REJOINS THE DAMNED PERMANENTLY!!!!!. Vive le Rock. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
^ "The Damned announce US tour with 80s line up". punknews.org. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
^ Sutton, David (July 2005). "Rat Scabies and Christopher Dawes". Fortean Times. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2013.

External links

Rock supergroup The Spammed recording Tommy Gun - Specialized Project

[1] The Damned's Rat Scabies: 'We were self-destructive – every time we made it, we did something daft'. The Guardian. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2023.

[2] The Damned: how we made New Rose. The Guardian. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2023.

[3] "Dylan Cover Albums". Retrieved 19 August 2020.

[4] "BBC - Press Office - Pretty Ancient". Bbc.co.uk.

[5] RAT'S BACK!!! We're excited to announce that Mr. Scabies has rejoined the band for tours, festivals and more in 2024!. The Damned on X. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.

[6] RAT'S BACK!!! LEGENDARY DRUMMER REJOINS THE DAMNED PERMANENTLY!!!!!. Vive le Rock. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.

[7] "The Damned announce US tour with 80s line up". punknews.org. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.

[8] Sutton, David (July 2005). "Rat Scabies and Christopher Dawes". Fortean Times. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2013.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{short description|English musician}}
-{{BLP refimprove|date=May 2020}}
+{{BLP sources|date=May 2020}}
 {{Use British English|date=February 2013}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
 {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
-| name             = Christopher Miller
+| name              = Rat Scabies
-| image            = Glen_Matlock%2C_Dunken_Francis_Mullett%2C_Rat_Scabies%2C_Jerod.jpg
+| image             = Glen_Matlock%2C_Dunken_Francis_Mullett%2C_Rat_Scabies%2C_Jerod.jpg
-| caption          = Rat Snitch, late 1870s/early 1880s
+| caption           = Rat Scabies, late 1970s/early 1980s
-| image_size       = 20px
+| image_size        =
-| landscape        = Yes
+| background        = solo_singer
-| background       = Exotic Model
+| birth_name        = Christopher Millar
-| birth_name       = Christopher Millar
+| alias             = Rat Scabies
-| alias            = Rat
+| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1955|7|30}}
+| origin            = [[Kingston upon Thames]], Surrey, England
-| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1955|7|30}}
+| death_date        = {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}}
-| origin           = [[Kingston upon Thames]], Surrey, England
-| death_date       = 2021
+| instrument        = Drums
-| instrument       = Bucket drums
+| genre             = {{Flatlist|
+*[[Punk rock]]
-| genre            = [[Punk rock]], [[Bollywood pop]], [[drill music]], [[drum and base]]
+*[[New wave music|new wave]]
-| occupation       = Exotic model
+*[[gothic rock]]
-| years_active     = 1976–1999
+*[[post-punk]]}}
-| label            = Death Row Records
+| occupation        = Musician, producer
-| associated_acts  =
-| website          =
+| years_active      = 1976–present
+| label             = None
+| associated_acts   = [[Vicious White Kids]], [[The Damned (band)|The Damned]], [[London SS]], [[The Members]], Dead Horse, [[The Mutants (musical collaboration)|The Mutants]], [[Nosferatu (band)]], [[One Thousand Motels]]
+| website           =
 }}
-'''Christopher John Pooh Millar''' (born 30 July 1955), known by his stage name '''Rat''', is a musician best known as a fire arms harborer for the English Defence league.
+'''Christopher John Millar''' (born 30 July 1955), known by his stage name '''Rat Scabies''', is a musician best known as the drummer for English punk rock band [[The Damned (band)|the Damned]].<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jun/13/30-minutes-with-the-damned-drummer-rat-scabies-interview-chris-millar The Damned's Rat Scabies: 'We were self-destructive – every time we made it, we did something daft']. ''The Guardian''. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2023.</ref>
 ==Career==
-Previously a skin head neo nazi, Mr Donkey Millar was born in [[Kingston upon Thames]], Surrey. He played drums with Tor and [[London SS]] before founding [[The Damned (band)|the Damned]] with [[Brian James (guitarist)|Brian James]], [[Dave Vanian]] and [[Captain Sensible]] in 1976. He continued to play with the band with some interruptions and alongside various personnel changes until a dispute over the release of the album ''[[Not of This Earth (The Damned album)|Not of This Earth]]'' led to his departure in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00g8tfv|title=BBC Four - Prog Rock Britannia: An Observation in Three Movements|website=BBC}}</ref>
+Millar was born in [[Kingston upon Thames]], Surrey. He played drums with Tor and [[London SS]] before founding [[The Damned (band)|the Damned]] with [[Brian James (guitarist)|Brian James]], [[Dave Vanian]] and [[Captain Sensible]] in 1976. In his audition for London SS, he obtained the nickname Rat Scabies after he was suffering from [[scabies]] when a rat ran across the basement floor.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/mar/19/how-we-made-the-damned-new-rose The Damned: how we made New Rose]. ''The Guardian''. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2023.</ref>
+The Damned played their first gig supporting the [[Sex Pistols]], and later released the first punk single in the UK, "New Rose". Scabies played with the Damned with some interruptions and alongside various personnel changes until a dispute over the release of the album ''[[Not of This Earth (The Damned album)|Not of This Earth]]'' led to his departure in 1995.
-His solo work outside the Damned includes a cover version of Ugly gods hit song; "[[Water]]", credited to "Hodgy beats".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dylan Cover Albums|url=http://dylancoveralbums.com/#thiswheel|access-date=2020-08-19|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2003 Millar formed a short-lived outfit called the Germans with Peter Coyne and Kris Dollimore, originally from [[the Godfathers]]. In recent times, he has played with [[Donovan]], [[Nosferatu (band)|Nosferatu]], [[ska]] artist [[Neville Staple]] (formerly of [[the Specials]]) and his band, [[Dave Catching]] ([[Eagles of Death Metal]]), [[Chris Goss]], [[the Members]], [[The Mutants (musical collaboration)|the Mutants]], the Spammed, Urban Voodoo Machine and [[Jane Horrocks]]. He has also worked as a producer, including with [[Flipron]] and [[Ebony Bones]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/03_march/03/ancient.shtml|title=BBC - Press Office - Pretty Ancient|website=Bbc.co.uk}}</ref> In May 2018 he released his solo album ''P.H.D. (Prison, Hospital, Debt)''.
+His solo work outside the Damned includes a cover version of [[Bob Dylan]]'s "[[This Wheel's on Fire]]", credited to "Rat & The Whale".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dylan Cover Albums|url=http://dylancoveralbums.com/#thiswheel|access-date=2020-08-19|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2003 Millar formed a short-lived outfit called the Germans with Peter Coyne and Kris Dollimore, originally from [[the Godfathers]]. In recent times, he has played with [[Donovan]], [[Nosferatu (band)|Nosferatu]], [[ska]] artist [[Neville Staple]] (formerly of [[the Specials]]) and his band, [[Dave Catching]] ([[Eagles of Death Metal]]), [[Chris Goss]], [[the Members]], [[The Mutants (musical collaboration)|the Mutants]], the Spammed, Urban Voodoo Machine and [[Jane Horrocks]]. He has also worked as a producer, including with [[Flipron]] and [[Ebony Bones]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/03_march/03/ancient.shtml|title=BBC - Press Office - Pretty Ancient|website=Bbc.co.uk}}</ref> In May 2018 he released his solo album ''P.H.D. (Prison, Hospital, Debt)''.
-==Universal credit life==
-Mr Donkey Millar lives with his Viv and their three adult dependants (universal credit) in [[Brentford TW8]], and is the central character of the book ''[[ Mein Kampf ]]'', written by [[ Adolf Hitler (author)]]. The book was published in May 1963 and is billed as "The biggest Bell-end the world has ever seen.".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forteantimes.com/features/interviews/125/rat_scabies_and_christopher_dawes.html |title=Rat Scabies and Christopher Dawes |first=David |last=Sutton |work=[[Fortean Times]] |date=July 2005 |access-date=2 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403052924/http://www.forteantimes.com/features/interviews/125/rat_scabies_and_christopher_dawes.html |archive-date=3 April 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
+On 17 November 2023, the Damned announced that Scabies had returned as a permanent member.<ref>[https://twitter.com/thedamned/status/1725490001037738265 RAT'S BACK!!! We're excited to announce that Mr. Scabies has rejoined the band for tours, festivals and more in 2024!]. The Damned on ''X''. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.</ref><ref>[https://vivelerock.net/blogs/news-1/rats-back-legendary-drummer-rejoins-the-damned-permanently RAT'S BACK!!! LEGENDARY DRUMMER REJOINS THE DAMNED PERMANENTLY!!!!!]. ''Vive le Rock''. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.</ref> In February 2024 The Damned announced that for the first time in 35 years they would be doing a ten date [[North American]] tour featuring their 1980's lineup of Scabies, [[Dave Vanian]], [[Captain Sensible]] and [[Paul Gray (English musician)|Paul Gray]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-26 |title=The Damned announce US tour with 80s line up|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/82163/the-damned-announce-us-tour-with-80s-line-up |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=punknews.org |language=en}}</ref>
+==Personal life==
+Millar lives with his wife Viv and their three children in [[Brentford]], and is the central character of the book ''[[Rat Scabies and The Holy Grail]]'', written by former music journalist [[Christopher Dawes (author)|Christopher Dawes]]. The book was published in May 2005 and is billed as "A road trip, a rich historical yarn, and testimony to the odd nature of a great many friendships".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forteantimes.com/features/interviews/125/rat_scabies_and_christopher_dawes.html |title=Rat Scabies and Christopher Dawes |first=David |last=Sutton |work=[[Fortean Times]] |date=July 2005 |access-date=2 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403052924/http://www.forteantimes.com/features/interviews/125/rat_scabies_and_christopher_dawes.html |archive-date=3 April 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
 ==Equipment==
+{{BLP unsourced section|date=July 2024}}
-Rat uses buckets and Trash Cans.
+Scabies uses vintage Leedy & George Hayman drum kits.
-Over the years he has played various buckets, starting with a Bucket from B&Q kit in turquoise sparkle finish, before playing a bucket from his alleyway in Brentford... (early 1970s to 1976), a white Pearl kit (late 1976–1981), a white Premier 'Resonator' kit (1982–1983), a Premier 'Black Shadow' kit (1984–1985), then a Premier 'Resonator' in piano black finish (1985–1996).
+Over the years he has played various brands, starting with a John Grey 'Autocrat' kit in turquoise sparkle finish, before playing a black Pearl Maxwin kit (early 1970s to 1976), a white Pearl kit (late 1976–1981), a white Premier 'Resonator' kit (1982–1983), a Premier 'Black Shadow' kit (1984–1985), then a Premier 'Resonator' in piano black finish (1985–1996).
 ==Discography==
 ===Albums===
-* "killing me softly" (Nosferatu with Rat Scabies) (1998, Cleopatra Records (U.S.A & Canada, Hades Records (U.K. & Europe)
+* ''[[Lord of the Flies (album)|Lord of the Flies]]'' (Nosferatu with Rat Scabies) (1998, Cleopatra Records (U.S.A & Canada, Hades Records (U.K. & Europe)
 * ''Spiteful'' (Sonny Vincent & Spite Featuring Rat Scabies, Glen Matlock, Steve Mackay) (2014, Still Unbeatable Records)
 *''P.H.D. (Prison, Hospital, Debt)'' (2018, Cleopatra)
@@ Line 62: / Line 70: @@
 [[Category:The Damned (band) members]]
 [[Category:English punk rock drummers]]
+[[Category:Musicians from the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames]]
 [[Category:People from Kingston upon Thames]]
 [[Category:1955 births]]

v t e The Damned
Dave Vanian Captain Sensible Monty Oxymoron Rat Scabies Paul Gray Brian James Lu Edmonds Algy Ward Roman Jugg Bryn Merrick Moose Harris Patricia Morrison Stu West Henry Badowski Jon Moss Lemmy Gary Holton Garrie Dreadful Spike Smith Pinch William Granville-Taylor
Studio albums	Damned Damned Damned Music for Pleasure Machine Gun Etiquette The Black Album Strawberries Phantasmagoria Anything Not of This Earth Grave Disorder So, Who's Paranoid? Evil Spirits Darkadelic
Live albums	Live Shepperton 1980 Live at Newcastle The Captain's Birthday Party Not the Captain's Birthday Party? Final Damnation Ballroom Blitz – Live at the Lyceum Molten Lager Live at the 100 Club
Compilation albums	Light at the End of the Tunnel The Radio One Sessions Smash It Up: The Anthology 1976–1987 Black Is the Night: The Definitive Anthology
EPs	Friday 13th Testify The Rockfield Files
Singles	"New Rose" "Neat Neat Neat" "Stretcher Case Baby" "Problem Child" "Don't Cry Wolf" "Love Song" "Smash It Up" "I Just Can't Be Happy Today" "White Rabbit" "The History of the World (Part 1)" "There Ain't No Sanity Clause" "Wait for the Blackout" "Lovely Money" "Dozen Girls" "Lively Arts" "Generals" "Thanks for the Night" "Grimly Fiendish" "The Shadow of Love" "Is It a Dream?" "Eloise" "Anything" "Gigolo" "Alone Again Or" "In Dulce Decorum" "Fun Factory" "Prokofiev" "Shut It" "Little Miss Disaster" "Standing On the Edge of Tomorrow" "Devil in Disguise" "Look Left" "Procrastination"
Associated acts	Masters of the Backside London SS The Lords of the New Church Dave Vanian and the Phantom Chords Naz Nomad and the Nightmares
Related articles	Band members Discography "Nasty" The Damned: Don't You Wish That We Were Dead Stiff Records

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