David Levine

David “Rat” Levine vividly remembers his early days in Southern California, when the punk band Black Flag rehearsed just up the street in an old Baptist church. He started hanging around, meeting musicians and absorbing the raw, DIY energy of the punk scene. Soon, he picked up some microphones and a tape deck, capturing live performances and underground shows wherever he could. His curiosity pulled him deeper into the recording world. Dave began learning the ropes at studios like Adult Troys, gaining hands-on experience from engineers and studio heads who recognized his passion. A friend introduced him to speaker building—something he took to immediately. He started crafting his own gear, using it to record punk shows and backyard parties, often trading his work for a case of beer. That inventive, self-made spirit still defines his approach to music and sound today.