Thrash Metal Roots, a radio special hosted by filmmaker/ OVERKILL founder Rat Skates, will be broadcast on WRAT 95.9 FM The Electric Ballroom, Sunday March 16th at 10 PM (EST).

Veteran Sirius radio DJ’s Keith Roth and Aimee Kristi welcome Rat Skates to The Electric Ballroom for an in-depth look at the bands that inspired the 1980’s Thrash Metal movement.

“Instead of playing actual thrash metal or just no-brainer cuts from the obvious bands, I culled about 20 songs from punk, metal, rock and hardcore that distinctly reflect the “stepping up” of our playing styles and attitudes that inspired the evolution of the Thrash genre, going back to 1977, and ending up in 1987” says Skates.

”There’s some of the bigger names, some smaller, but each song has a unique component, whether it was double bass drumming, lyrical content, palm-muted guitar playing or maybe just pure aggression that was totally ground-breaking for that time period, all of which had a very significant impact in pushing the envelope for us back in the 80’s. The bands that we’re playing are the dirtiest and perhaps very unknown roots that will unearth what inspired us all: Metallica, Slayer, Exodus, Anthrax, Megadeth, Overkill, on and on…which directly set the footing for what’s going on today.”
“This show will be a great listen, it will take the audience right back to “the day”. Undoubtedly it will educate the “new school”, remind the “middle school” and take the “old school” back to “pre-school!”

Thrash Metal Roots will be broadcast on New Jersey’s WRAT 95.9 FM The Electric Ballroom on Sunday, March 9th, 2007 at 10 PM (EST), and will also be streamed worldwide on the web via www.wrat.com, by clicking “Listen Live”.

Rat Skates is the founding drummer of Overkill and a filmmaker. His latest release Born In The Basement is an autobiographical documentary about the birth of Overkill and the thrash scene.

The film’s origins begin in 1980, as the East Coast of North America experienced a massive culture clash of punk, disco, stoner music, new wave and heavy metal. Frustrated by this Suburban identity crisis and fueled by "The New Wave of British Heavy Metal", a small group of energetic youths were unknowingly creating the most extreme music ever to assault global eardrums: Thrash Metal. Skates was one of the movements' most recognized pioneers. Born In The Basement is a drive through his tunnel vision to success, and the philosophy that turned his dreams into reality...THE "DIY" MINDSET!

This movie boldly goes well behind the scenes, deep into the NY/NJ cover band circuit and pre-digital tape-trading underground to candidly reveal the hidden hurdles that every young musician must jump in the quest for rock stardom, the passion of their vision, and dedication to their family.

The film is available on DVD at www.ratskates.com and at retailers worldwide through The MVD Entertainment Group, www.mvdb2b.com.