Mike V & The Rats, Koffin Kats & The Aquabats

June 16, 2025 @ The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC. The return of punk‑skate royalty—Mike Vallely fronting his own band, Mike V & The Rats—on an explosive stop of the “Bats! Kats & Rats” tour. Presented by SOCCO.

Mike Vallely’s stage presence is kinetic. Even before the first chord, the audience felt his electric energy—part punk frontman, part skateboard legend. From the opening riff of “Viewpoint” to the anthemic “Never Give Up,” Vallely’s vocals pummeled through the room, paired with fiery guitar rhythms and that classic rat-tailed raw punk sound. Crowd surfing and skateboard tricks broke out as he seamlessly fused gritty punk music with his skate spirit, reminding everyone why skate‑punk culture chose him as one of its loudest voices.

Koffin Kats ignited the room before that, blending psychobilly speed and swagger. And The Aquabats closed with their signature blend of goofy yet virtuosic rock, sending the crowd home buzzing.

The SOCCO crew brought its own flair—debuting custom, limited‑edition Rats socks sold on site. These bold designs, featuring lightning bolts, skate motifs, and The Rats iconography, sold fast and served as a wearable badge of the night’s energy. Fans not only rocked out—they rocked in real skate‑style comfort.

SOCCO’s sponsorship of the tour doubles as a celebration of shared values: do‑it‑yourself authenticity, rebellion, and skate‑punk community. The custom sock drop and merch table added an extra layer of connection—a tangible piece of the culture you could take home.

Bottom line: Mike V & The Rats delivered a blistering, heartfelt set that reaffirmed punk’s power when paired with skateboarding’s adrenaline. With SOCCO’s support and killer swag in tow, the tour stop in Asheville was a high‑voltage celebration of culture, rebellion, and community. If more cities echo this energy, this tour is shaping up to be one for the history books.