This product is a RECORD STORE DAY 2025 title and not available to pre-order. Available to buy in-storefrom 8am on Saturday, 12/04/2025 (Record Store Day). Remaining copies will be available to buy online from 8pm on Monday14/04/2025.

As the leader of The Boomtown Rats, Bob Geldof led his band of Dublin new-wavers right to the very top of the UK charts

But before that perfect power-pop, there was something raw and very dirty

For the first time on vinyl, their live demo tapes from 1975-1979 are heard

It was the recording that finally found its way to the desks of Nigel Grainge and Chris Hill at Ensign Records when the group relocated to the UK in October the following year

The four tracks are complimented with a live performance at Moran’s Hotel, just off Dublin’s O’Connell Street; Robert Parker’s Barefootin’ is delivered with a raucous energy that nods to both the Stooges and Dr Feelgood

The collection is rounded out with a selection of B-sides, many of which have never appeared on CD or LP

These have been much sought-after by fans over the years

On lurid sewer-like transparent green vinyl, hear The Boomtown Rats as they were first heard

Edgy, dangerous, spiky and fast

DAWN OF THE RATS: B-SIDES, DEMOS AND LIVE 1975-1979 is a perfect re-introduction to one of the most singular bands ever to originate from Eire, the greatest rock’n’roll band in the world (from Dun Laoghaire)

Track Listing

Side One
Doin’ It Right (1975 Live Demo)
My Blues Away (1975 Live Demo)
A Second Time (1975 Live Demo)
Fanzine Hero (1975 Live Demo)
Barefootin’ (Live At Moran’s Hotel, Dublin)

Side Two
Born To Burn (B-side of Lookin’ After No 1)
Do The Rat (B-side of Mary Of The 4th Form)
Lying Again (B-side of She’s So Modern)
How Do You Do? (B-side of Like Clockwork)
So Strange (B-side of Rat Trap)
It’s All The Rage (B-side of I Don’t Like Mondays)