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LP review: The Cheats – “Old Rats On A New Ship”

by

Screaming Crow Records – 21 Jun 2025

Steel City punk and roll veterans The Cheats deliver another killer slab of wax. 

The Cheats have been kicking out killer punk and roll jams for more than 20 years. Think the Dead Boys colliding with Hanoi Rocks, AC/DC, and the Ramones. Old Rats On A New Ship is their 5th LP of original material, and 8th release overall. It follows up 2020’s excellent Cussin’, Crying ‘N’ Carrying On, and even kicks up the production values a notch. 

The Cheats are as gritty as their home town of Pittsburgh, and have an undeniable blue collar aesthetic. The songs tend to be about real life issues like paying your bills, drinking and trying to hold on to your girl. There is a refreshing lack of politics or pretense. The lyrics are delivered in a raspy growl by founding lead singer Todd Cheat. The sometimes flashy dual guitars are propelled by the relentless rhythm section. 

Opener “Blood From A Stone” sets the tone for the rest of the record. “The Only Thing I’m Fucking Is Up” adds a little levity. “I Want You” is surprisingly straightforward and sincere. By contrast, “Time to Leave” acknowledges knowing when it’s time to throw in the towel on a relationship.. “For You” puts a Cheats spin on an Anti-Nowhere League classic. 

“Control” is the dark, catchy side 2 opener. “Stuck on You” will certainly get stuck in your head. Mixing upbeat songs of devotion with angry songs of betrayal really work for them. “Everything You Love Will Die” has lyrics so dark they could have been in a Type O Negative song, but the upbeat music tells a different story. Closer “The Price” weighs choices made and the consequences. 

Rats generally have a negative connotation as turncoats and backstabbers, but they do have another more admirable trait. They’re survivors. Musical landscapes come and go, but The Cheats just keep cranking out great songs. With more than half the year gone, this is among the strongest releases of 2025. 

For vinyl fiends: It’s available in black, Cool Smoke, and Gold with Blood Splatter, although it’s unclear how many of each. There’s a full color insert with lyrics, and some cool artwork from Ravagers frontman Alex Hagen.