Mr. Skates Goes To Washington?
In a continuing assault on the life and career of President Barack Obama, 2016 Presidential candidate Donald Trump accused Obama of being the drummer for the metal band Overkill on the albums “Feel The Fire” and “Taking Over“.
In an interview with syndicated conservative talk radio host Jonathan Winthrop, Trump said “If you look in the liner notes at the first two albums they have someone named Rat Skates listed as the drummer. That can’t possibly be a real name. I believe that Barack Obama was playing drums on both of those records.”
This is another in a series of accusations made by Republicans that Obama is, in fact, a “secret metalhead”. The accusations started two months ago when Glenn Beck revealed that Obama was in a thrash band in Chicago while he was working as a community organizer in the mid-1980s. Beck claimed that Obama’s band “mostly did Coroner and Slayer covers, but a few originals.”
Other reports have claimed that the band, known as Barry O’Death and the October Revolution (BODOR), recorded a demo but nearly all of the copies have been destroyed. Various media outlets have contacted three supposed members of the group but no one has agreed to go on record about having played in the band.
Trump claimed last month that one of his investigators had gotten their hands on a copy and he had heard the demo. According to Trump the sound was “very raw but pretty unoriginal. They seemed to be trying to copy Exodus ‘Bonded By Blood’ on most of the tracks.”
According to Trump, the demo had ten songs on it with titles ranging from “Destroyer of Worlds” to “When Death Rides A Horse” to “Free Healthcare for Everyone”. Obama has never directly addressed the metal rumors but in his biography Dreams from My Father he does discuss being “really impressed with the first Manowar album, particularly the epic feel of the song Battle Hymn”.
Rat Skates on Tour With Overkill in 1981
Trump supported his latest accusation by claiming that the drumming on “Feel The Fire” was extremely similar to the playing on the BODOR demo. “I have heard a lot of drummers over the years and this person who is supposedly known as Rat Skates plays just like Obama. There is no way you could hear the song Blood and Iron and think it was anyone but the future President playing. The styles are too much alike.”
Trump has encouraged Obama to come out and be forthright with the American people about his metal past. “It’s not right that the President is keeping the American people in the dark about an issue as important as his taste in music. If the President listens to thrash, death or even proto-doom, it’s important that the people know so they can make informed decisions.”
The Tyranny of Tradition 
#1 by martykihn on May 1, 2011 - 8:52 AM
Thanks for speaking the Truth Keith — this is brave work you are doing! Please don’t let the British MI5 silence you as they have silenced so many other righteous metalheads over the years
#2 by Keith Spillett on May 1, 2011 - 10:09 AM
Thanks Marty! A guy named Woodward and Bernstein took a lot of risks too and today he’s a hero to free people everywhere. It’s a tough job but someone has to stand up for the truth.
#3 by Palin For America on May 1, 2011 - 4:08 PM
This is ridiculous! Obama’s hid his citizenship, his ties to communists like Bill Ayres and now this. We need to take America back people!!!!
#4 by juan don on May 1, 2011 - 8:51 PM
Keith,
And I always thought Obama played the triangle for Winger.
I’m not that familiar with Heavy Metal as a musical genre. The area where I grew up was inundated with abandoned lead and zinc mines, so I drank a lot of heavy metals. This part of Missouri leads the world in unnecessary brush hog accidents and misspelled tattoos. Southeast Mississippi is a close second but John Stossel is convinced that generational incest is to blame for Mississippi’s runner-up status, not contaminated water. I’m surprised Joplin doesn’t advertise our claim to fame. Lauding unsafe drinking water beats the current PR campaign: GOT METH! But I guess meth tourists enjoy the town’s large selection of truck stop curious. The Flying J does a brisk business selling velvet paintings and dental hygiene products designed for those with few or very sensitive teeth.
I hope you’re happy that Franklin pitched the ninth inning. Lowe broke a bone in Freese’s hand. It could have been worse — Berkman and Holiday could have collided and suffered severe concussions. I’m convinced that Pull Hose is legally blind. His agents are afraid to let the info out as that type of “injury” would have a devastating impact on his free agency asking price.
#5 by Keith Spillett on May 2, 2011 - 6:58 AM
I’m sitting here listening as The Great American Revenge Machine cranks out angry stories about how today is a great day for freedom loving people everywhere. Seeing people celebrate a death, even if it’s the death of a disgusting mass murderer, makes me uneasy. Don’t these people know that we are all going to die at some point? Don’t they know he just got there a little bit ahead of the rest of us? Ehhhhh….
I am nervous about any comment that starts with a Winger reference. I once made fun of Winger in my Facebook status and got a seriously angry reply from someone who wanted to yell at me for not acknowledging that their drummer, Rod Morgenstein, is a genius. I seek no conflict on matters relating to hair metal. I simply observe and report back to the mothership.
Ryan Franklin put the whammy on what was turning out to be a pretty good weekend. They got out with 2 out of 3, but a 3 game sweep following the public floggings of Roger “Kids Don’t Belong At The Ballpark” McDowell and Derek “Kenevil” Lowe would have sent Atlanta into a death spiral that could have brought untold suffering on my friends and neighbors as they gear up for another global warming enhanced summer. I’ll just have to settle for watching the Hawks getting curbstomped by the Bulls.
Tell your homeboy Mozelik and that imperialist lacky Bill DeWitt to hurry up and release Franklin so that the Mets can sign him!
#6 by Universe Number Five on February 12, 2012 - 7:03 PM
Winger rules… believe that!
#7 by grady823 on May 2, 2011 - 11:47 AM
Good story
#8 by G on May 4, 2011 - 5:11 PM
who cares if he listens or has listened to metal? Im also a metalhead and I can hear from Overkill, Venom, Slayer to a nice rock or pop quite song…can hear Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, even T-Rex or Iggy Pop, U2!! Elton John, Duran Duran!!. I can hear The Strokes nowdays, Deftones, Green Day, even some country stuff. People shouldnt think metalheads just listen METAL and nothing else…thats a crap! Listening *Cake-The Distance ►
#9 by Keith Spillett on May 5, 2011 - 3:12 AM
You speak the truth, sir.
#10 by xthecoolx on May 7, 2011 - 2:02 AM
Listen. You just don’t understand what tyranny this man’s drumming ability will bring to the free world. Onward marches the American military to the d-beats of his heart. He will grind us to our core. He will doom us to a veritable plodding sludge. Dare I say his crossover attempts only skate around the issues. The man is just a punk!
#11 by Keith Spillett on May 7, 2011 - 7:21 AM
I hear he’s from Kenya too!
#12 by Will Fannin on May 6, 2011 - 2:04 PM
Are you kidding me… WHO GIVES A -explicative- ok the republicans have lost there minds, I don’t care if the president listens to country or hardcore rap, get over your ignorance and leave the man alone… we have how many people out of work, how many people that cant see a doctor, how many children that cant read properly, how many people that are losing there houses AND YOU THINK I GIVE A FLYING -explicative- that Obama played in a metal band. If this country doesn’t get it’s head out of it’s butt and soon it’s gonna be in real trouble -.-
#13 by Keith Spillett on May 6, 2011 - 8:27 PM
I’m with you, man. This Trump fellow is out of control.
#14 by jim jones on May 22, 2011 - 9:40 AM
I’m a metalhead and a complete lefty so stop making blind assumptions please
#15 by Mike on May 6, 2011 - 8:04 PM
Obviously this is a joke…..I am a metal head from the early 80’s and for one I can tell you that most musicians in metal bands are actually REPUBLICANS that know their politics (there is only a very small population of liberals mostly Canadian or European bands). Unlike the typical commercial radio bands or hip hopsters that are mostly all very liberal “do as I say not as I do types”. So I must say your made up story about what Trump said about Rat and Overkill is a bit insulting to my intelligence. I would have actually laughed if you said he played with Bon Jovi, Springsteen or some 60’s hippie band since they are typically socialists/liberal Waco’s !
In addition Rat Skates is not a proper name (guess you did not figure it out) it’s a made up nic/ stage name (many people do this in the music and film industries) see the DVD Born in the basement by Rat Skates who is now a very good film maker (unlike Michael Moorer).He will tell you on his DVD that it is not a real name and I am sure he would not want to be signaled out as being Obama. In addition to starting up the metal band Overkill that actually had a different name when they started out over 26 years ago. It can also be taken as an insult by the band members and most of their fans as we do not appreciate being associated with liberals, especially individuals like Obama. Metal heads are either Republicans or do not have a political interest, they most definitely not liberals.
#16 by Keith Spillett on May 6, 2011 - 8:24 PM
I want to tell you that in all my years on this planet what you have written is the single funniest thing I’ve ever read. I thought I had a flare for satire, but this response is so brilliantly funny that I am not capable of a response that matches it. In honor of all the hip-hopsters, the Waco’s and former heavyweight champion Michael Moorer, I tip my cap to you, sir. Thank you!
#17 by Juan Dueñas on May 26, 2011 - 10:55 AM
Right, American “metalheads” are often uneducated rednecks. As you said, plenty of them in Europe and in other places such as south america, they are often associated with liberal ways of thought.
#18 by orlandooom407 on May 6, 2011 - 9:25 PM
This journalism really bites ya.
#19 by Keith Spillett on May 6, 2011 - 9:54 PM
It’s actually meant to be a tribute to Edward R. Murrow.
#20 by xthecoolx on May 7, 2011 - 2:07 AM
i like how most of the “legit metalheads” who’ve posted in the comments have little to no sense of irony about this. as both a part time journalist and half-time metalhead, i really have to shake my head in shame at their stupidity. no wonder most people see metalheads as humorless idiots.
#21 by Keith Spillett on May 7, 2011 - 7:17 AM
In fairness, I’ve talked to a lot of people who get it. I think there is another segment of people that want to believe something weird and turn their good sense filter off. Then, I think there is another group that has been so inundated by the zaniness of modern life that they are uncertain about what is true and what isn’t. To them, nearly anything is plausible. And then, of course, we have the group of people who are just plain nuts. You’ve probably bumped into some of this as a writer as well. Meeting the population as a whole, instead of person by person can be an odd experience. Writing this sort of “faction” (fiction based on a few dubious facts) has been a really interesting experiment in understanding humans. I will have a good deal to report when the mothership returns.
#22 by Zoo on May 10, 2011 - 1:48 PM
If these comments are in any way representative of your typical readership, perhaps you should get a new url.
#23 by Keith Spillett on May 10, 2011 - 2:20 PM
They are mostly harmless. I haven’t been hung in effigy in days.
#24 by Bill on May 11, 2011 - 12:54 AM
What is wrong with listening to metal?
#25 by toasty redhead on May 14, 2011 - 7:42 PM
I never thought of it that way, well put!
#26 by King on May 18, 2011 - 12:41 PM
Why is it every kook with a stuped hairdo and beerd has to start a blog? YOU SUCK!
#27 by THEINFAMOUSMETALMAIDEN on May 20, 2011 - 10:30 AM
I hope nobody really believes this! You have quite the imagination but seriously, Obama is NOT a metalhead and could never be cool enough to play in the awesome Thrash Metal Band OVERKILL! They happen to be my favorite band!!!!!!
#28 by Keith Spillett on May 20, 2011 - 10:53 AM
I think the headbanger demographic will be critical to Obama’s success in 2012, so he better get back behind the kit ASAP. Overkill is AWESOME (by the way)!!!!!!
#29 by THEINFAMOUSMETALMAIDEN on May 20, 2011 - 10:54 AM
Rat Skates is a real guy and here is a link to his web page http://ratskates.com/rock-un-rold/
#30 by Keith Spillett on May 20, 2011 - 1:15 PM
This is website obviously conservative propaganda. It’s also a fake.
#31 by Marc Domanski on July 22, 2015 - 7:31 PM
https://www.facebook.com/RatSkates?fref=nf
#32 by THEINFAMOUSMETALMAIDEN on May 20, 2011 - 10:56 AM
True metal heads would not vote for OBAMA as president they would vote for RON PAUL!
#33 by THEINFAMOUSMETALMAIDEN on May 20, 2011 - 11:04 AM
By the way you SUCK. You’re not metal enough to talk trash about OVERKILL.
#34 by Keith Spillett on May 20, 2011 - 1:17 PM
This from a person who posted a link to a fake Rat Skates site.
#35 by THEINFAMOUSMETALMAIDEN on May 20, 2011 - 11:09 AM
Mike knows what he is talking about.
#36 by Keith Spillett on May 20, 2011 - 1:16 PM
Mike is about as smart as a pair of socks.
#37 by DontClickMe on August 15, 2011 - 12:02 AM
I don’t like metal. Metal sucks.
#38 by George on August 24, 2011 - 4:30 PM
The metalheads who have posted on here have generally been embarrassing. So here’s a note from a metaller who can appreciate satire: this article was very funny, well done!
#39 by Keith Spillett on August 24, 2011 - 4:38 PM
Thank you, sir! You’re appreciation is much appreciated!
#40 by mark m on October 30, 2011 - 3:17 PM
What does it matter what type of music the Pres listens too? I myself am a metalhead but governing a country does not require certain musical tastes.
#41 by Keith Spillett on October 30, 2011 - 3:20 PM
I totally agree with you, bro!
#42 by Chris on January 6, 2012 - 9:32 PM
hahahahaha omg dude. wait was this a joke? like honestly. did trump really think that obama was in overkill? hahaha. well too bad he wasnt cuz that would have been so bad ass. also this second part is to MIKE: how could you say that all metalheads are republican or have no interest in politics? who are you to say what all metalheads are or are not. i am a metalhead and i am pretty liberal. if anything, metalheads are not republicans because they are not conservative at all. most of the famous “metalheads” you hear of went against the rules and gave the finger to the gov for doing things wrong and being ruled by idiots. like Reagan or Bush.
#43 by Universe Number Five on February 10, 2012 - 2:34 PM
This is the ultimate epitome of radness!!
#44 by lander on April 8, 2012 - 5:20 AM
okay,now i like obama even more,IN THE NAME OF METAL YOU FAT IGNORANT REPUBLICANS
#45 by Lrelyn@yahoo.com on April 10, 2012 - 6:50 PM
Omg chaly is laughing his ass off
#46 by Sandi Kay on April 10, 2012 - 7:06 PM
I heard that the POTUS aka President Obama was also the first chair first violinist for the philharmonic orchestra of the Americas, which Trump has auditioned for in previous years. His versatility is really what has the donald angry. (That and I hear that the donald had an actual Strad whereas the POTUS was given a hockshop instrument and still beat him out of his position. That plus have a COOL aka like Rat Skates. I mean serious?? This guy is unstoppable! Good sleuthing sir… well played.
#47 by glurp on April 15, 2012 - 12:48 AM
Doood. I know this is true. I used to roadie for Overkill back in the day and Rat was the shizzo, man. After a show we used to go out and give free hot dogs to prostitutes and then we’d usually get all wasted on Coors and set a few cop cars on fire. I’m pretty sure he played a blast beat way before that Charlie guy from Anthrax, too. You wouldn’t believe how stoked I was to see him running for prez. He may have cut the hair but I know he’s still the same Rat. You got my vote again this year bro!
#48 by Mong! on December 8, 2012 - 3:24 PM
ato je kotha koili drummer er chobi koi?
#49 by Silastar on December 21, 2012 - 4:38 AM
I saw Obama pick up the Guitar instead of John Petrucci of Dream Theater for a gig, because John wasn’t feeling well… He decided afterwards to quit Dream Theater, saying, and I quote “I’m going back to Berklee to take some lessons, I leave my place to him”
#50 by joe mother tucker { Rekcut enyaw eoj } on November 6, 2014 - 1:49 PM
it is his Arab blood and the drive for vengeance that propelled him into heavy metal. as he was brought up in a land where the beheadings were rampant and the rape of the conquered required he was a perfect fit for the violence ridden lyrics of the 80s in fact it reminded him of all the blood spilt both Arab and Europeeing during the crusades. hail Mao Bama
#51 by Marc Domanski on July 22, 2015 - 7:19 PM
The real Rat Skates even got a laugh outta this one..https://www.facebook.com/RatSkates?fref=nf
#52 by timgothic on August 12, 2015 - 6:40 AM
this is BRUTAL.