Mike V & The Rats is a hardcore punk band founded in early 2002 in Southern California, fronted by professional skateboarder, activist, and musician Mike Vallely. The band emerged from a collaboration between guitarist Jason Hampton (formerly of The Third Degree, Blackspot, Outspoken, and The Suppression Swing) and drummer PT Pugh (The Suppression Swing), who recruited Vallely after sending him a demo tape. Mike officially joined in January 2002, bringing his intense presence and raw vocal energy to the project.