Casey Neill & The Norway Rats perform rock music informed by post punk ethos, combining haunting dirges and whiskey fueled rave-ups. Neill's original weather beaten narratives fearlessly eschew irony in favor of romance, celebrate society's miscreants, and explore the hidden corners of the urban landscape. The Norway Rats, a crack gang of Portland's finest musos, perform Neill's originals with unhinged live energy. With accordions, overdriven guitars, and Neill's raspy voice, the band blends elements of Scots/Irish tunefulness, punk abandon and heartland rock.

The Norway Rats are Ezra Holbrook (Minus 5, formerly Decemberists), Little Sue (of Little Sue fame), Jenny Conlee (Decemberists), Hanz Araki (Circled by Hounds) and Adam East (Adam & Kris). Neill has left his impact on audiences in the United States and overseas while touring extensively for more than a decade.

“Be it through raucous rockers, fragile acoustic ballads, ragged country, passionate bursts of punk fury or soulful touches of Irish folk, Neill's narrative talent and concern for real people's struggles stand out.  (Neill) evokes an epic feel that fits perfectly with the implicit grandiosity of this emotional material, delivered with a raspy, affectionate voice that recalls Life's Rich Pageant-era Michael Stipe. The results are so evocative, you'll be tempted to steep further in these memories, the better to share Casey Neill's particular blend of personal and historical experience.” - SPLENDID eZine

THE NORWAY RATS