According to Metal Sludge, there are rumors circulating that seem to suggest that Stephen Pearcy will be joined by his former RATT bandmate Bobby Blotzer during an upcoming virtual concert. That show will reportedly be filmed on February 26-27 at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, CA. Notably, Pearcy has since shared the Metal Sludge article along with the caption: “Hmmm, we’ll have to wait and see.”
RATT frontman Stephen Pearcy has revealed that he planning to launch a new docuseries called “Backstage Past.” The show will begin filming on February 23.
Here’s a description of the series:
“With virtual gigs becoming a new norm and the new “house party,” Pearcy will introduce his “house party”-style sessions on his soon-to-be-released docuseries, “Backstage Past”, on ASY TV (Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV). Expect the unexpected — from touring around locations from MICKEY RATT and early RATT days to behind the scenes of Stephen’s livestreams to jamming with friends.”
In other news, Pearcy also discussed the possibility of a new RATT album on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk” [via Blabbermouth]:
“I wouldn’t wanna put a RATT record out there without the original guys. I mean, it just wouldn’t make sense. We’ve tried it.
Look, I accepted it a long time ago when Robbin [Crosby, late RATT guitarist] left the band, we lost a big element of direction. He was my right-hand man creating this monster. And I knew it — I knew once he was out, we would be going through motions. It’s all cool, and it’s great, but how many replacements can you have in a band and still consider it legit? So if we’re gonna have something on plastic, so to speak, forever, I’d rather have the original band do a record and just not do a RATT record until that day comes — if it ever happens.”
He also added the following when asked when he last spoke to guitarist Warren DeMartini:
“Probably a couple of weeks back. We had some business to talk about, him and I, about some of the stuff we wrote. Which is great, ’cause Warren and I actually had a song in the can, written, that we can actually play and release. And there was another one we were starting to work on that was amazing. So you get me and Warren in a room, and we’ll start writing immediately.”
He continued when asked if DeMartini would be open to doing something with RATT again:
“No. I can’t say anything like that. All I’m saying is we had stuff to talk about, and a couple of songs that we did, and that’s it. And a record of ours. And we just chatted. So that’s where it went.”
Pearcy went on to say that he has also been speaking to drummer Bobby Blotzer again:
“I do talk to Bobby. Bobby and I are — it’s love-hate, brother kind of a gig. We keep in touch and talk about positive things. He still has interest, so there are some things to talk about. And Warren is the same.
Look, life goes on. Life’s short. Hate’s not a good thing. There’s communication. But I can’t say anything.”
Pearcy then reiterated his desire to make a new album with the classic lineup:
“As far as doing a record right now, I really wouldn’t wanna have guys that weren’t really in the band on the record. And I think that was Warren’s sentiment a long time ago — without having me on a record — so I’m just giving back the courtesy consideration.
I would really like to actually finish the song that Warren and I had started, and the one that we have in the can, I would love to release it. I’m gonna talk to him about it, if we can just put it out there and just turn people on. He’s not some aggro dude right now. I’m not aggro at any of these people. Look, we created this great thing, and if there’s gonna be a RATT record, I just off the top of my head said I wanna do it with the original guys, if we’re gonna do one — or don’t even bother. The catalog is what you get. Or you get my solo stuff, which is as close as you’re gonna get to RATT music. And that’s it… If we ever do a [RATT] record, let it be the real guys, and call it a day. If that’s the last thing we do, well, let’s do it. If not, hey, we’ve got the records. That’s all I can say.”
Pearcy also talked about the importance of not letting personal differences get in the way of the band:
“Look, we’re not the most dysfunctional band on the planet. I’ve said it before, there are bands much more dysfunctional — MÖTLEY [CRÜE], GN’R [GUNS N’ ROSES], you name ’em — but the smart ones make an effort to take care of business. MÖTLEY — I don’t know if they even talk to each other, but they’re getting the business done. And that’s where I’m at. What are you — punishing somebody? You’re getting back at somebody? You’re holding a grudge, vendetta… It’s all bullshit. We’re all gonna die anyway. Go figure it out.”
RATT recently took to Instagram to offer a new band update. The group said the following:
“RATT’s in the cellar! Founding member, singer Stephen Pearcy with lead guitarist @jordanziff working on new music at Pearcy’s, while Jaun Croucier (bassist vocalist for RATT) has renovated updated his Cellar Studios for the band to go in, rehearse and work on new music. Pearcy and Croucier agree, “It’s time to kick some ass. We’ll be ready to go with a new rhythm guitarist and new RATT music 2021”. As for getting back to doing concerts? “We’re so eager to get out there and play again”. You’ve got to Ratt n’ Roll with the punches, its nothing new for the relentlessly unyielding quintet. More news TBA”
RATT have confirmed that they are rescheduling all of their 2020 dates due to the coronavirus pandemic. The band issued the following statement:
“For the health and safety of our fans and those involved with the production of RATT concerts; shows scheduled for the 2020 calendar will be rescheduled for 2021.”
Ratt, Tom Keifer (Cinderella), Skid Row, and Slaughter have officially cancelled their U.S. tour due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ratt commented:
“‘The Big Rock Summer Tour‘ will no longer be taking place as originally scheduled this summer and fall. Tickets will automatically be refunded at point of purchase. Thank you for understanding.”
Ratt, Tom Keifer (Cinderella), Skid Row, and Slaughter have postponed the first leg of their U.S. tour due to the coronavirus pandemic. This includes all seven dates that were booked for June.
Here’s the affected shows:
06/03 Farmingville, NY – Long Island Community Hospital Amphitheater at Bald Hill
06/06 Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Theatre
06/09 Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheater at Freedom Hill
06/10 Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center
06/12 Atlantic City, NJ – Hard Rock Casino at Etess Arena
06/13 Canandaigua, NY – CMAC
06/14 Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Here’s the remaining dates:
08/25 Syracuse, NY – St. Joe’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
08/27 Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
08/28 Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
08/29 Scranton, PA – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
09/01 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
09/05 Grand Island, NE – Nebraska State Fair (Ratt, Skid Row, Quiet Riot)
09/06 Denver, CO – Levitt Pavilion (Ratt, Skid Row, Quiet Riot, Slaughter)
09/08 Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater
09/09 Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
09/16 Salt Lake City, UT – Utah State Fair/Days of 47 Arena
09/18 Reno, NV – Grand Theatre at the Grand Sierra Resort
09/19 Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
Ratt are featured in a new commercial for Geico. The clip is part of the insurance company’s “Bundling Made Easy” campaign.
Ratt, Tom Keifer (Cinderella), Skid Row, and Slaughter have announced a U.S. tour together. You can find the dates for that run below.
Tour Dates:
06/03 Farmingville, NY – Long Island Community Hospital Amphitheater at Bald Hill
06/06 Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Theatre
06/09 Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheater at Freedom Hill
06/10 Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center
06/12 Atlantic City, NJ – Hard Rock Casino at Etess Arena
06/13 Canandaigua, NY – CMAC
06/14 Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
08/25 Syracuse, NY – St. Joe’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
08/27 Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
08/28 Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
08/29 Scranton, PA – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
09/01 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
09/05 Grand Island, NE – Nebraska State Fair (Ratt, Skid Row, Quiet Riot)
09/06 Denver, CO – Levitt Pavilion (Ratt, Skid Row, Quiet Riot, Slaughter)
09/08 Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater
09/09 Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
09/16 Salt Lake City, UT – Utah State Fair/Days of 47 Arena
09/18 Reno, NV – Grand Theatre at the Grand Sierra Resort
09/19 Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
Guitarist Chris Sanders has announced his departure from Ratt. He issued the following statement to Mike Gaube’s Headbangers:
“At the beginning of the year, I sent an email to [RATT’s] management that I would not be renewing my contract for 2020. After playing music in some form for 25 years, I’ve retired from the industry.”
Ratt will be releasing a new box set, titled “The Atlantic Years 1984-1990,” on March 27. The set will come with CD versions of “Out Of The Cellar,” “Invasion Of Your Privacy,” “Dancing Undercover,” “Reach For The Sky,” and “Detonator” housed in a clamshell.
“The Atlantic Years 1984-1990” Track Listing:
Disc 1: “Out Of The Cellar” (1984):
01. “Wanted Man”
02. “You’re In Trouble”
03. “Round And Round”
04. “In Your Direction”
05. “She Wants Money”
06. “Lack Of Communication”
07. “Back For More”
08. “The Morning After”
09. “I’m Insane”
10. “Scene Of The Crime”
11. “Round And Round” (single edit) (bonus track)
Disc 2: “Invasion Of Your Privacy” (1985):
01. “You’re In Love”
02. “Never Use Love”
03. “Lay It Down”
04. “Give It All”
05. “Closer To My Heart”
06. “Between The Eyes”
07. “What You Give Is What You Get”
08. “Got Me On The Line”
09. “You Should Know By Now”
10. “Dangerous But Worth The Risk”
11. “What You Give Is What You Get” (single edit) (bonus track)
Disc 3: “Dancing Undercover” (1986):
01. “Dance”
02. “One Good Lover”
03. “Drive Me Crazy”
04. “Slip Of The Lip”
05. “Body Talk”
06. “Looking For Love”
07. “7th Avenue”
08. “It Doesn’t Matter”
09. “Take A Chance”
10. “Enough Is Enough”
11. “Dance” (single edit) (bonus track)
Disc 4: “Reach For The Sky” (1988):
01. “City To City”
02. “I Want A Woman”
03. “Way Cool Jr.”
04. “Don’t Bite The Hand That Feeds”
05. “I Want To Love You Tonight”
06. “Chain Reaction”
07. “No Surprise”
08. “Bottom Line”
09. “What’s It Gonna Be”
10. “What I’m After”
11. “Way Cool Jr.” (MTV Unplugged) (bonus track)
Disc 5: “Detonator” (1990):
01. “Intro To Shame”
02. “Shame Shame Shame”
03. “Lovin’ You’s A Dirty Job”
04. “Scratch That Itch”
05. “One Step Away”
06. “Hard Time”
07. “Heads I Win, Tails You Lose”
08. “All Or Nothing”
09. “Can’t Wait On Love”
10. “Givin’ Yourself Away”
11. “Top Secret”
12. “Lovin’ You’s A Dirty Job” (Ratt Fonic Monster Mix) (bonus track)
13. “Lovin’ You’s A Dirty Job” (Ratt Fonic Radio Mix) (bonus track)
14. “Nobody Rides For Free” (Point Break Soundtrack) (bonus track)
