Born in the Basement (2007 Video) User Reviews

A Trip Down Thrash Metal Memory Lane!

[MetalGeek · 8/10 · 30 August 2007]

Rat Skates (a.k.a. Lee Kundrat) is best known as the original drummer of New Jersey thrash metal legends Overkill. Rat abruptly left that band in 1987 and then seemingly vanished off the face of the Earth for almost two decades. So where has he been all this time? It seems Rat married his girlfriend Lori and has gone into independent film and video production. He's just released BORN IN THE BASEMENT, his own DVD detailing the formative years of the Thrash Metal movement as seen through his own eyes. It's kinda like a homemade "Behind The Music: Overkill," but with a more personal touch than you'd get from one of those sterilized VH1 productions. Rat (still long haired and old school to the bone!) is the good-humored host and narrator of BORN IN THE BASEMENT and we join him as he tells the story of Overkill's early days, going all the way back to their roots in Rat's high-school punk band "the Lubric*nts." During their Lubric*nts period, Rat and future Overkill bassist Carlo (a.k.a. D.D.)Verni gained their first on-stage experience and learned about the D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) punk spirit of self-promotion that would serve Rat well when the band eventually revamped its lineup, changed its name to Overkill, and "went Metal," eventually becoming one of the premier Thrash Metal outfits in the world. One thing I was surprised to learn from BORN IN THE BASEMENT was how integral Rat Skates was in getting that band's name around in their unsigned days. You rarely think of the drummer as being the "go-to" guy in a band, but Rat lived, breathed, and busted his ass for Overkill 24-7 in those days!! He designed the logo that they still use today, silk-screened the band's first T-shirts, copied and mailed out thousands of demo tapes and press kits, filled merchandise orders, and designed backdrops and stage props, all on a shoestring budget! When you see some of the early live footage of the band, it's amazing to think that their impressive, professional looking castle-and-dungeon styled drum riser and back line was made up of milk crates covered in homemade Styrofoam "bricks," or that the gigantic "OVERKILL" logo at the back of the stage was made by Rat himself with magic markers, scissors, and a LOT of patience! In addition to those amazingly cool live videos of Overkill in their formative years (when they were a bit more, shall we say, "theatrical" looking than they are now…) you'll see killer photos of the other early thrash bands (Metallica, Anvil, Venom, Slayer and many others) playing at such long-gone tri-state area dives as the Showplace in Dover, NJ, Club 516 in Old Bridge, NJ, and the Paramount Theater on Staten Island, NY. The overwhelming feeling I got from BORN IN THE BASEMENT was how much fun (and hard work) it must've been to get a band off the ground in the midst of the early 80s thrash metal explosion. (Sadly, even though I've lived in New Jersey for my whole life, I was a mere pre-teenager at the time so I didn't get to experience the thrash movement till it was already in full swing…) It's fascinating stuff for an old school metal trivia geek like myself. Of course, since this is Rat's own video, it's HIS viewpoints and opinions, though I'm sure if you asked Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth or D.D. Verni about certain pivotal moments in Overkill history, their takes on things would probably be quite different from Rat's. It would've been nice to see either of those guys make an appearance in this documentary, but from what I gather it didn't end well between them when Rat left the band so there's probably still some bad blood there. On the whole, however, Rat's DVD is fascinating viewing and it makes for a nice companion volume to Overkill's BATMEN: THE RETURN documentary that was included on the WRECKING EVERYTHING live DVD, because it filled in a lot of blanks about Overkill's early history. I have been an Overkill fan(atic) since the FEEL THE FIRE days and I thought I knew everything about the band, but I learned a few new things from BORN IN THE BASEMENT!! Don't skip over the bonus features on this DVD, by the way, because you'll miss out on even MORE cool stuff, like the interviews with Lubric*nts vocalist Billy Vector (abso-f**kin-lutely hilarious!!) and original Overkill guitarist Riff Thunder (no kidding), some clips from an unfinished video documentary from 1986 ("Escape From Stalag 13"), live clips and an interview from a New York City public-access cable music show ("Rock Pipeline') in 1984, and tons more… I usually ignore the bonus features on DVDs but I've actually watched some of this stuff more than once! I guess it's pretty obvious by now that I loved this video, huh? If I haven't made it abundantly clear by now, BORN IN THE BASEMENT is well worth checking out if you've ever been an Overkill fan or if you grew up in the New York/New Jersey area during the 80s...or both, like me. Thanks for the memories, Rat, and welcome back!!

Documentary on early Overkill (but its an awesome interview with Rat Skates)

[krakanova · 8/10 · 17 September 2020]

Rat Skates was the founder, mother of the group and drummer for the original lineup of the only thrash metal band from the 80's and 90's that I regularly listen to today. They still make evolving and great music; but have never seen a documentary on them, or a documentary like this.

Rat created the Overkill logo with the green color to differentiate from Slayer, Twisted Sister, Exodus, etc., but kept the straight lines. Curves showed weakness. He printed up promotional material and silk screened shirts with his girlfriend when he lived in his parents house. He also designed and created their sets!

Excellent documentary on someone that is new to me and who admittedly bowed out of production early in the life of an always improving band. Aside from the weird demanding questions from ponytail-then-a-cut-to-Rat-interview style in the first half, interesting information IS fleshed out here. Supplemental pictures help. Production please make more

You Need !! Now

[rxlrat · 10/10 · 4 August 2007]

What can i say about this DVD two words OLD SCHOOL. Took me right back to upstate NY 1985 when i saw these guy's live. It brings the heart and soul back that created my love for these guy's. Born in The Basement is a great tale of how Rat Skates made overkill what is was. From rubber stamps to milk crates, this is how one man's vision can take a dream and make it real. After watching this DVD it made me break out all my old LP's from Taking Over to the infamous F**K You EP I had to listen to them. Took me right back to when music was real. A Must Have! If you love it loud and proud this DVD tells a great story for all lovers of thrash music.

Thrash at its best!

[seanmiller-1 · 10/10 · 5 August 2007]

It was awesome to be able to see in detail the beginnings of an amazing band and have a front row seat into the earliest years of thrash metal. If you love Thrash you wont want to miss out on this DVD. Like me, Im sure you will watch it over and over again. Rat goes into so much detail you feel like you've been sucked back to the early 80's. The dedication he had for this band was impressive! Lets up and coming acts know what it can be like to be working your butt off for your dream. The rare photos and video that were used will be to the delight of those watching. Whether this is memory lane or giving young metal heads a glimpse into the past neither will be disappointed. Horns up Metal heads!!

If you're into thrash, or in a start-up band, its a must see

[mjacoby · 2/10 · 11 August 2007]

I bought this movie because I'm a fan of Overkill, and Rat Skates had a large part in putting them on the map. I'm not much of a documentary fan, but this one was not only entertaining, but also gives good insight to what makes a band live or die. It makes you wonder how many other great bands are out there, that just don't have what it takes to put 100% dedication into their art. It's got some interesting interviews with some not so famous people, like Riff Thunder, who actually is pretty hilarious, even if he's not trying to be! My only complaint about the film would be the lack of involvement by the rest of the band. Being a failed musician myself, I can attest to the fact that everyone has to give all they can, or it will fail. It's a good watch even if your not into the music scene, but a must if you are.