Everson Allen and Lipmaster Mark are collectively known as The Ratpack. They met through friends and have worked together for nearly 14 years. They’ve been in the game for over a decade, which is why they are considered to be the kings of old skool.

It all began when Everson Allen, front man for ‘The Pack’, had his own dance school – basically teaching street kids to get involved in something constructive. The attendance reached an all-time high, so Everson decided to stage his own raves – some of you early-heads will remember Trip City and The Munday Club. Such clubs were a great influence on many and, for Everson, a stepping stone to greater things.

Explosion

The building of their careers was gradual, however, with appearances slowly mounting up. Many would say that the Ratpack movement was like a time-bomb just waiting to detonate. London felt the explosion first (well, they do originate from there!); it seemed that every flyer, club and stage was graced by their presence throughout England’s capital city and, by now, the Ratpack tremor was beginning to make itself felt throughout the rest of the UK. Then, almost overnight, Ratpack-mania had set in, and with the same power-vibe as had been felt in Londinium. In fact, it’s fair to say that their magic was felt in virtually every city across the country. I’ll never forget the vibes they sent out, as well as the overwhelming compulsion to really let yourself go to their sounds.

The Test

But London has always been home for the boys and when it came to performing, home came first. The North of England, however, had proved slightly more difficult to conquer; Top Buzz – fellow rivals at the time – were, to many, still the people’s champions. The Buzz at that time virtually had the north sewn up, so when promoters from the infamous Quest decided to stage a soundclash in Wolverhampton between Top Buzz and Ratpack, over 4,000 people turned up. Incredibly, a further 3,000 were locked outside with no tickets – it was the main event! The Ratpack came through with flying colours, proving their pedigree to everyone within and out with the industry and demonstrating that they were the dog’s bollocks in entertainment. The northern territory was duly conquered and added to their fast-growing empire. The Ratpack were cruising.

Tragedy

Like everyone else, Ratpack have had their highs and lows. The boys not only went through things together musically, but also personally. The first devastating blow for Everson and Mark came on the road, whilst travelling to a gig. Their vehicle was involved in a fatal car crash, Everson losing the woman who had supported him from day one. Both of the boys were badly injured, Everson the worst, and they consequently spent time in hospital. However thanks to the skills of the medical team and the overwhelming support from their fans and Kiss FM they pulled through.

They next performed on New Year’s Eve 1992 – even though, in yet another cruel blow, Mark’s mother had just passed away. Nevertheless, in the best traditions of the business, he went on to DJ in front of 16,000 up-for-it ravers at Fantazia’s Littlecote House. He said later: “The ravers didn’t have a clue what I was going through, I am human, after all”. 

The Return

Ratpack were nothing if not resilient. Whatever knocked them down, they always seemed to bounce right back. I remember Fantazia at Castle Donnington where the boys performed in the early hours. Mark mixing away to over 27,000 people while Everson propped himself up on his walking stick with the mic in his other hand! Such was their determination to carry on and bloody hard it was at times, too, but together they kept moving forwards.

Signing

By 1994 the boys had come a long way from the early Ratpack sound system days and, after releasing the club classic, ‘Searching For My Rizla’, which went to No. 1 in the UK, Euro and US dance charts, they were bang on course to be signed by a major. And that’s exactly what happened; Euro giants Logic BMG, responsible for acts such as Haddaway, Snap and Enigma, struck a deal with ‘The Pack’s’ manager, and with no delay ‘Captain Of The Ship’ was released. Around that time, the boys were virtually living in Europe while promoting the single. Then there was the £500,000 video shoot which was very impressive (mind you, at that price…!). The track did well and more material was planned for release on Logic, leading to a world-wide album deal. However things did not go to plan and The Ratpack parted company with Logic after tough negotiations failed to satisfy both parties.

The Revival

And now, the Pack return with lots of new material written around the old skool theme. The style includes an abundance of breaks and is being dubbed ‘new skool breaks’. With the popularity of old skool back in the ascendancy and no-one making the music any more, they have chosen to innovate. The boys are also touching on a garage feel, with new mixes just finished by the much talked-about 187 Lockdown and The Rhythm Masters. These blokes reputedly won’t get out of bed to mix for less than £50k, polishing and innovating for the likes of Robbie Williams, Louise and many more. Out of respect for their roots, they’ve remixed ‘Searching For My Rizla’, which is due for release any time now. Also on the remix is the highly acclaimed Tunesquad, London’s next generation of speed garage, which consists of Lee ‘Spika’ Williams and Co.

‘The Pack’ have also just mixed a compilation album entitled ‘Old Skool Masters’, on Rumour Records, with Nicky Blackmarket on the jungle skool mix, together with appearances on Steve Jackson’s Morning Glory Kiss 100FM show

And guess what It doesn’t stop there. They’ve just launched a new club every Sunday at Propaganda in North London, and a great new night in the Midlands – Legends Of The Old Skool.

Conclusion

Many artists come and go and success is a notoriously difficult thing to sustain. However, history shows that those with NRG, drive and heart always come through – and the boys have these qualities to ensure that they’ll reach their destination.

Years ago they lit a spark and it’s just about to happen all over again. The world is going to feel the phenomenon known to the old skool massives as The Ratpack. We salute them as pioneers and true greats of the British dance movement.

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