RATT Reunion?
Monday, October 3, 2016 at 12:01AM Monsters of Rock West cruise is happening right now and this past weekend, RATT performed as the surprise band.
Three members of the classic lineup, including Stephen Pearcy, bassist Juan Croucier and guitarist Warren DeMartini jammed together and were joined by Carlos Cavazo and Jimmy DeGrasso.
The band isn't really going by RATT right now and there are lgal issues with the name. Drummer Bobby Blozter and Warren DeMartini share ownership of the name. Blotzer has his own version of the band going now.
Regardless of what you call them, it is pretty cool these guys showed up as the "surprise" band for the cruise. I'm so jealous of everyone on board! Here's a clip:
They have no name officially yet, but I'm sure open to suggestions... pic.twitter.com/agtn1dqrro
— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) October 2, 2016
Reader Comments (9)
I was fortunate enough to catch these guys in their original classic line-up with Robin Crosby in 1990 at Hammerjack's in Baltimore and again, a few years ago, when they headlined M3, the first time they played with Croucier in 19 years.
Unfortunately, a couple of years ago, they were supposed to do The Monsters of Rock Cruise out of Miami. In fact, the main reason I was going on it was to see these guys. They pulled out at the last minute because Blotzer claimed he hurt his neck and it was reported Pearcy was too wasted to do it. Honestly, we were all really quite pis*ed off they were a no show.
What was really annoying about the situation is MORC did absolutely nothing to compensate the passengers for RATT skipping out, not even one free drink ticket. That's the one thing that's always irked me about MORC is any do-overs from a band seem more like make-goods catering to the promoters and not as much for the fans, though, here it's hard to tell as the band really seems to be enjoying themselves.
This west coast based MORC, on it's inaugaral voyage this year, was loaded to the gills with great bands with the REAL RATT really rounding it out. Especially with Britny Fox on board, as well.
I wonder why these guys didn't call themselves RATT on this gig though. I'm gonna guess it's because Di Martini gets a piece of every performance by Blotzer's version. Still, it would seem to me, at some point, this version needs to call themselves RATT. I just wonder how and when that will be!
Welcome aboard Jimmy.
I'll pay for this line-up; I will also purposefully avoid Bobby's line-up.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1508106629513304/
Legally, Blotz has, in the court's eyes, been a responsible steward of the brand & will not be losing his logo, name trademark, or anything else, just because the other "hired employees"... Cavazo, Pearcy, & Croucier have joined the other lone hostilely "not working" member of the corporation, in this, what the rock-uncaring legal system can only consider a tribute band made up of 2 former members, 1 inactive member & 2 hired, fill-in guys (D'Grasso & Cavazo).
Legal briefs don't listen to records, or go to gigs... This is all just lawyerly paperwork with no opinion.
Garry, had me at "square in the berries." Karma, if it exists, seems to be designed for situations like this. But I will be interested to see how this all plays out in court, no less in the revolving band that is the Blotz Experience. The latter might just implode before the former ever sees the light of day. Hubris can only run on fumes for so long.
Lest we forget, a lot of water must have passed under Bridge Blotz for these guys to join forces. It isn't as if Pearcy was being a chill dude in the lead up to the _Infestation_ (somewhat) glory days. And Crane didn't just leave because of Blotz and/or Croucier. Did he? Seems as if the times surrounding their last great hurrah were anything but calm. On that count, I can't for the life of me solely blame Blotz. Afterwards, sure. But not then. And, if I am to be completely honest, in between drunken rants, Blotz has made some good points (ones which Ace noted).
Metalboy!, to have been you back in the day, seeing them with the Big Guy. Amazing. But I have to observe that, in general, business predicated on putting arses in seats (on land or sea) rarely cater to those posteriors once they are there. My experience at Houston Open Air being an amazing exception to the rule. The fine print limits liability when a neck is kinked or a singer is sloshed. Still, I wish I was there back in the day.