The Good Rats
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Founder | Ted Haenlein, Frank Stapleton, Eric Crane, Denny Ryan, Peppi Marchello |
| Headquarters | Long Island , United States |
| Products | Rock music albums and live performances |
| Website | www |
The Good Rats are a rock ensemble originating from Long Island, New York, known for their fusion of rock, blues, and pop influences. While their recognition is strongest regionally, they have also attained some level of national and international acclaim.
History
The band was formed in 1964 by five students from St. John's University—Ted Haenlein, Frank Stapleton, Eric Crane, Denny Ryan, and Peppi Marchello—initially performing under the name the U-Men. They built their early reputation by playing extensively in venues across the Rockaways and Long Island. After securing a record deal in 1966, they adopted the name The Good Rats and shifted their focus toward original compositions.
By the end of 1966, the group’s lineup featured Peppi’s brother Micky on guitar, Denny Ryan handling drums, Teddy Haenlein on rhythm guitar and vocals, and Art Fahie on bass. The band became a fixture along Long Island’s north shore, regularly appearing at clubs such as the Knotty Knee (later known as McDimples), The Cage, and The Go-Go 7. Following Teddy Haenlein’s draft into Vietnam in 1968, he returned to the band between 1970 and 1972.
Their first album, The Good Rats (1969), achieved a cult following locally with standout tracks like "We Are The Good Rats" and the proto-punk anthem "Joey Ferrari." Throughout the early 1970s, they expanded their audience with original songs including "Hour Glass" and "Injun Joe," performing frequently at venues such as Baldwin Manor and Back Alley Sallys.
In 1974, they released Tasty, their most commercially successful record, which melded hard rock and blues with Peppi Marchello’s unique vocal style. Songs like "Injun Joe," "Papa Poppa," and the title track received widespread FM radio play across the country. Their live performances included major stages like Madison Square Garden, Nassau Coliseum, England’s Hammersmith Odeon, and Central Park. They shared bills with renowned artists including Rush, Journey, Kiss, Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, Bruce Springsteen, and Styx.
Between 1976 and 1980, The Good Rats released multiple albums—Ratcity in Blue, From Rats to Riches (1978), Birth Comes to Us All, and Live At Last—maintaining a devoted fan base and continued FM airplay. The 1981 album Great American Music featured new members Bruce Kulick (who later joined Kiss) and Schuyler Deale. The band remained active until disbanding in 1983.
During the 1980s, Peppi Marchello collaborated with his son Gene in Popzarocca; Gene's group later enjoyed moderate success with the single "First Love," which received some exposure on MTV. In the mid-1990s, Peppi reunited with his sons Gene and Stefan under The Good Rats banner, producing three studio albums: Tasty Seconds (1996), Let's Have Another Beer (2000), and Play Dum (2002). Additionally, Peppi released a live album from 1979 titled Rats, The Way You Like ’Em.
Throughout the 2000s, the band continued to perform locally and organized an annual summer event known as "Ratstock." Reunion concerts in 2008 featured original members alongside Peppi and his sons. That same year saw Gene Marchello depart to pursue a solo career while Stefan remained active with Peppi for weekend shows around Long Island.
In recognition of their contributions, The Good Rats were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2008.
Peppi Marchello appeared in various media ventures including Clifford Meth's graphic novel Snaked and recorded advertisements for Kars4Kids in 2009. Their album Ratcity in Blue was showcased in the film Roadie (2011), where Peppi also made a cameo appearance.
In 2012, Peppi unveiled Blue Collar Rats: The Lost Archives, which included one new track alongside unreleased material from 1975 to 1984 featuring different lineups such as Bruce Kulick and Gene Marchello.
The Original Good Rats performed annual shows at Manhattan’s B.B. King’s venue until 2013.
Peppi Marchello passed away from a heart attack on July 10, 2013, at age 68 while recuperating after heart surgery.
Following his death, Stefan Marchello released albums containing collaborations with Peppi: Afterlife (2014) and Making Rock and Roll Great Again (2016). Stefan continues to carry forward The Good Rats' legacy after more than twenty years performing alongside his father.
Discography
- The Good Rats (1969)
- Tasty (1974)
- Ratcity in Blue (1976)
- From Rats to Riches (1978)
- Rats The Way You Like It - Live (1979, promotional release only)
- Birth Comes To Us All (1979)
- Live At Last (1980)
- Great American Music (1981)
- Tasty Seconds (1996)
- Let's Have Another Beer (2000)
- Play Dum (2002)
- Blue Collar Rats: The Lost Archives (2012)
- Afterlife (2014)
- Making Rock and Roll Great Again (2016)
External links
- Articles with short description
- Hard rock musical groups from New York (state)
- Kapp Records artists
- Musical groups established in 1964
- Musical groups disestablished in 1983
- Musical groups reestablished in 1996
- Musical groups from Long Island
- Radar Records artists
- Harvest Records artists
- Mercury Records artists
- Warner Records artists