The River Rats originated in Frome in 2023 as a classic rock band with Phil Howard on bass guitar and featuring a male lead singer.  A keyboard player Eva Klos was recruited to add more depth to the sound  and the line up was completed in June 2024, when Kirsty Hayes from Stoke St Michael joined the band as lead singer. The inclusion of keyboards and  female singers (lead and backing vocals) changed the dynamics of the band to allow a wider range of musical styles and the opportunity to interpret some songs traditionally featuring male vocals with a female singer.  See line up for current band members including Kevin  Capper on lead guitar, Shaun Freeman on drums and Isla Hayes on backing vocals.