Bootleg Rascal

Ghetto-Dubsters, Bootleg Rascal, from Sydney and Gold Coast are masters of hip-hop infused jams and sonic brews: blending infectious alternative rhythms with “Exquisitely raspy vocals“ [theMusic.com May 2015]

The reprobates that make up Bootleg Rascal, as dodgy as the name suggests, include Carlos (Q-Dome) Lara, Jimmy (Vanilla Gorilla) Young, Jack (50 Shade) Gray, and Scottie (Sgrillex) Grills. The band have been touring since they formed in mid-2013 when the group of misfits first met in the back room of a seedy Sydney gig. Bonding over their love of music and tacos and spreading/sharing tales of childish escapades (still to this day). Soon after, they hit the garage and crafted together their first ep of original material and toured – up and down the east coast - their first gig was playing Woodford Folk Festival in 2013/14.

They’ve since supported label-mates, Sticky Fingers, on a couple of sold out national tours and have been racking up festival slots around the country including: Peregian Originals, RottoFest, Yours and Owls Festival and a couple over the NYE period with Lost Paradise and Falls Festival in Byron Bay. The boys and their other label-mates, Boo Seeka and Lyall Moloney were able to sell out the Shake n Bake tour. Their dubalicious single ‘Oh I Know’ went straight onto Triple J on high rotation and picked up play on community radio stations including: 4ZZZ, PBS and 2SER. Their hooky disco beats, sick riffs and Carlos’s sexy vocals, you’ll be singing the tunes hours after you’ve had a whiff of ‘em, and what’s more, you’ll have forgotten where you’ve picked it up from – kinda suits them to a tee.

The burrito-slingin’ dub monsters have also released their first full-length album, Asleep In The Machine. The album hones in on their mutant dublactic hip-hop sounds and hooky song-crafting. Working with artist/producer, LyMo in the studio The Rascals have put together something tasty. Their third latest single is the title track off the album, Asleep In The Machine, which was added to Triple J’s rotation list the week of its release. Triple J were also able to help them participate in ‘Like A Version’ where they did a killer cover and original. Keep a look out for two new clips from these guys and if you haven’t already, check out their latest music video, ‘Shade’. Their hilarity radiates through the video with their amazing costumes and radical dance moves.

Staying true to the Rascal flavour, the album features some taco-licking tones that shoot from the hip and bounce off into a galaxy of space gorillaz. It’s an album that will dip you into a Cancun boat party, then shake you into the Sunday morning recovery. It’s also an album released completely distributed from Sureshaker. Carlos’ prego sauce-dipped vocals are the salsa in the taco layer. Sitting above Jimmy’s unique intergalactic guitar riffs, Skrillex’s dubtastic basslines and synths and Jack’s trip-hop beats and kicks.