When Rat Ruled The World

INTERVIEW BY HANNAH BROOKS
PHOTOS BY WILLIAM YANG

Reno Dal, Billy Yip and Jac Vidgen, the first team behind the RAT parties. They remain good friends to this day. Picture by John Webber.

Vice: Tell me about the first RAT party.

Jac Vidgen:

And what was in this punch you made?

Can you tell me about the photo known as the “Infamous Line?”

What were you wearing?

Amazing. How important were costumes and dressing up to the parties?

If you were all dressed up and heading to a RAT party, how did people react if they saw you?

So were there ever any busts?

Like all good things, I imagine the parties changed over time.

No, you don’t.

It’s sad.

I guess when you put it that way… no, it’s still sad.

Jac, Billy and RAT regulars Elise and Harold ‘the Kangaroo’ Thornton.

Akira Isogawa and friends.

Simon Reptile and Danny.

Grace Jones and Mace.

Martin Harsono and his infamous Chinese Opera costumes.

Mazz Image, Jacques Tchong and Gemma at RATmania.

Michael Hutchence and Donna Draper at ERATcipation.

Cindy Pastel and Sarapax

The Infamous Line. Behind that curtain there was apparently a guy selling drugs. The sign was courtesy of a local car dealership. Photo by Robert Rosen

Victor Li at RATfricarnivale.

Stylist, Kathy McKinnon.

Akira and David Bebb dressed in a costume inspired by PNG witchdoctors and made entirely of drinking straws.

Simon Reptile, Martin Harsono, Kathy McKinnon, Githa Pilbrow, Nigel Sparrow and Jac.