RATT

1. The Sunset Strip Ecosystem and RATT's Position

In the 1980s American music industry, particularly in Los Angeles on the West Coast, rock and roll underwent an unprecedented commercial transformation. The movement known as "Glam Metal" or "Hair Metal," centered around Hollywood's Sunset Strip, became a global phenomenon through flashy visuals, hedonistic lyrics, and marketing strategies that skillfully utilized the new medium of MTV. At the center of this frantic era was RATT.

RATT, along with Mötley Crüe, is recognized as a pioneer of this scene, but their musicality was not a mere product of trend. Stephen Pearcy's unique vocal style, the sophisticated guitar ensemble of Warren DeMartini and Robbin Crosby, and their original groove self-proclaimed as "Ratt N' Roll" inherited the lineage of Aerosmith and Van Halen while presenting a sharper, more danceable hard rock.

2. Genesis: Mickey Ratt and the Underground Vein of San Diego (1973-1981)

2.1 The San Diego Scene and Early Ambitions

The history of RATT begins with the personal ambition of its leader, Stephen Pearcy. In the early 1970s, Pearcy, a native of Long Beach, California, suffered severe injuries including fracturing both legs in a traffic accident, forcing him into a long hospital stay. It is said that during this period, he picked up the guitar and deepened his immersion into music. Initially, he was active under band names like "Firedome" and "Crystal Pystal," but in 1976, he relocated his base to San Diego and changed the band's name to "Mickey Ratt."

While there is a theory that this peculiar name derived from "Mickey Rat," an obscene parody character known in underground comics at the time, Pearcy himself states it combined sarcasm toward "Mickey Mouse" with a rock-oriented ring. The early lineup during the San Diego era included guitarist Chris Hager, bassist Matt Thorr, and drummer John Turner. They performed at local clubs and garage parties, gradually refining their original songs alongside covers of Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin.

2.2 Relocation to Los Angeles and the Presence of Jake E. Lee

Feeling the limitations of operating in San Diego, Pearcy decided to make a move into Los Angeles, the center of the music industry. In 1980, the band relocated its base of operations to Hollywood. Mickey Ratt was in a fluid state with frequent member changes during this period, but it is highly noteworthy that Jake E. Lee was on board as a guitarist. The technical play of Lee, who would later gain worldwide fame in Ozzy Osbourne's band, had a major impact on shaping the early sound of RATT.

They performed at iconic live venues on the Sunset Strip, such as Whisky a Go Go, The Roxy, and Gazzarri's. Since the success of Van Halen, the LA scene at the time was searching for bands featuring the next guitar hero, and Mickey Ratt began to draw attention as one of those candidates. Demo tracks recorded during this period, such as the single "Dr. Rock," can be found on later compilation albums like "The Garage Tape Dayz 78-81," already showing the early signs of RATT's characteristic riff-driven song structures.

3. Formation of the Classic Lineup and the "Ratt EP" (1981-1983)

3.1 Crossroads of Destiny: The Joining of Warren DeMartini

In 1981, after shortening their name to "RATT," the ultimate turning point arrived for them. Following the departure of Jake E. Lee, who was exploring opportunities with Rough Cutt and Dio, Pearcy discovered Warren DeMartini, who was only 18 years old at the time, through an acquaintance from his San Diego days. DeMartini had come to Los Angeles for college and, ironically, was crashing at Jake E. Lee's apartment. He received direct guitar instruction from Lee, and while inheriting that style, he was establishing his own bluesy, fluid technique. With DeMartini's joining, RATT acquired both "glamour" and "technique."

3.2 Strengthening the Rhythm Section and the Role of Robbin Crosby

In addition to DeMartini, another guitarist, Robbin Crosby, formed the core of the band. Standing at over 190 cm tall, the giant Crosby brought not only a visual impact but also played a crucial role in songwriting. His solid rhythm guitar and melodic sensibility served as the foundation supporting DeMartini's freewheeling lead play.

Furthermore, the rhythm section was reorganized. In 1982, bassist Juan Croucier, who had been with Dokken, was recruited into the band. Croucier was an excellent songwriter and also made significant contributions to the vocal harmonies. Around the same time, drummer Bobby Blotzer, who had been active with Vic Vergeat and others, joined. His heavy and groovy drumming brought a danceable element to RATT's music.

Thus, the golden "Classic Lineup" was completed, consisting of Stephen Pearcy (Vo), Warren DeMartini (G), Robbin Crosby (G), Juan Croucier (B), and Bobby Blotzer (Dr).

3.3 Indies Debut and the "Ratt EP"

In 1983, RATT signed with local independent label Time Coast Records and released their debut EP, "Ratt EP." This work featured early signature tracks such as "You Think You're Tough" and a cover of Aerosmith's "Walkin' the Dog." "You Think You're Tough" received heavy airplay on influential local radio station KMET, drawing a flood of requests from listeners. This localized frenzy triggered a bidding war among major labels. Ultimately, Atlantic Records president Doug Morris watched a live performance at the Beverly Theater and reportedly decided to sign them on the spot.

4. The Golden Era: Rulers of MTV and Arena Rock (1984-1986)

4.1 The Impact of "Out of the Cellar" (1984)

In February 1984, their major debut full-length album, "Out of the Cellar," was released. Beau Hill, who would later be dubbed the "Architect of the LA Metal Sound," was brought in for production. Hill's production emphasized gated reverb on the drums, sharpened the guitar sounds to a razor edge, and pushed Pearcy's vocals to the front of the mix, achieving a radio-friendly yet aggressive sound.

The Social Phenomenon of "Round and Round"
The first single from the album, "Round and Round," peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's signature anthem. Behind the song's success was the massive airplay of its music video (MV) on MTV. The MV featured legendary comedian Milton Berle—uncle of their manager at the time, Marshall Berle—appearing in drag and playing dual roles as an old lady and a butler disturbed by the noise of the band performing in the attic. This comical yet lavish video defined RATT's image as "dangerous but full of humor." The album cover featured actress Tawny Kitaen, who was Robbin Crosby's girlfriend at the time; her appearance crawling out of a cellar visualized the band's theme of escaping from the underground. The album sold over 3 million copies (Triple Platinum) in the US alone, catapulting RATT into arena-class headliners almost overnight.

4.2 "Invasion of Your Privacy" and an Established Style (1985)

Without a moment's delay after the success of their debut, they released their second album, "Invasion of Your Privacy," in 1985. Beau Hill handled the production just like the previous work, and the musicality shifted to emphasize a tighter, mid-tempo groove. The single "Lay It Down" ranked 40th on Billboard, and its striking guitar riff became one of the defining riffs of the '80s. The album cover featured Playboy model Marianne Gravatte. She also appeared in the MV for "Lay It Down," reinforcing the band's hedonistic worldview of "women, cars, and rock 'n' roll." The album sold 2 million copies (Double Platinum), cementing the band's popularity. Around this time, RATT went on massive tours with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne and Bon Jovi, achieving consecutive successful tours in Japan in 1985 and 1986.

4.3 "Dancing Undercover" and a Harder Edge (1986)

On their third album, "Dancing Undercover," the band shifted toward a more straightforward, stripped-down sound. Singles like "Dance" and "Body Talk" retained the flash of glam metal while incorporating a sense of speed and aggressiveness that seemed conscious of the rise of Thrash Metal. "Body Talk," in particular, was used on the soundtrack for the film "The Golden Child" and was frequently played on MTV. Although the album received Platinum certification (1 million copies), it lacked the explosive power of the first two. Nonetheless, the tour featuring later bands like Poison and Cinderella as opening acts was a great success, and RATT remained perched at the top of the scene.

5. Turning Point and Decline: Commercial Pressure and Changing Times (1988-1991)

5.1 The Struggle of "Reach for the Sky" (1988)

The production of their 1988 fourth album, "Reach for the Sky," was fraught with difficulties. The band initially brought in Mike Stone, who had worked with Queen and Journey, as producer, but the label expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the recorded material, leading to Beau Hill being hastily recalled to reconstruct the album. Despite this chaos, the album spawned the hit song "Way Cool Jr.," showcasing new territory for the band. Unlike their previous straight-ahead hard rock, this track featured a loose groove incorporating elements of Southern rock and blues. While the album achieved Platinum status, interpersonal relationships within the band, particularly the deteriorating condition of Robbin Crosby due to drug issues, were beginning to cast a shadow over their future.

5.2 "Detonator" and the Eve of Grunge (1990)

In 1990, they released their fifth album, "Detonator." In an effort to strengthen their songwriting, the band brought in prominent hitmakers of the time, Desmond Child and Diane Warren, as co-writers. Publicity was also generated by the guest vocal appearance of Jon Bon Jovi. While the sound became more polished and the production clearer, the "roughness" and "dangerous aura" of traditional RATT receded. Singles like "Lovin' You's a Dirty Job" and the power ballad "Givin' Yourself Away" were high-quality tracks, but the times were already on the eve of the rise of Grunge acts like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and the backlash against hair metal was intensifying. As a result, album sales stalled at Gold (500,000 copies), making it their final studio album of the Atlantic era.

5.3 Collapse of the Classic Lineup

In 1991, following the conclusion of the tour supporting the album, Robbin Crosby left the band. While various reasons were publicly stated, the reality stemmed from his severe heroin addiction, the resulting decline in his performance ability, and financial troubles. Crosby's departure meant a piece of the band's "soul" was missing, and the following year, 1992, Stephen Pearcy also announced his exit. RATT was driven into a state of de facto disbandment.

6. The Turbulent '90s and the Tragedy of Robbin Crosby (1992-2002)

6.1 Solo Projects and Approaches to Alternative Rock

Following the breakup, Stephen Pearcy formed his own band, "Arcade." Enlisting the likes of former Cinderella drummer Fred Coury, this band aimed for a heavier, darker sound than RATT, releasing albums like "Arcade" (1993), but did not achieve major commercial success. Later, Pearcy explored projects such as "Vertex," which incorporated elements of industrial metal, continuing his trial-and-error efforts to align with the contemporary sound. Meanwhile, Warren DeMartini maintained his reputation as a guitarist by joining Whitesnake's tour and releasing a solo work, "Surf's Up!".

6.2 Reunion and "Ratt" (1999)

In 1996, sparked by the release of the compilation album "Collage," Pearcy, DeMartini, and Blotzer reunited. Robbie Crane, who had played in Vince Neil's band, joined as the bassist (Croucier did not participate). In 1999, they released the self-titled album "Ratt" (commonly known as Ratt 1999) via Portrait Records. Unlike their old style, this release was heavily influenced by blues rock and contemporary modern rock. Although it included tracks like "Over the Edge," reactions from fans and critics were lukewarm, and it ended up a commercial failure. Pearcy departed again in 2000, pushing the band into a period of wandering, during which they continued touring with vocalists like Jizzy Pearl (Love/Hate) and John Corabi (Mötley Crüe).

6.3 The Death of Robbin Crosby (2002)

On June 6, 2002, former guitarist Robbin Crosby passed away at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 42. The cause of death was complications from AIDS, backed by years of drug abuse. He contracted HIV due to long-term drug use and spent his final years battling AIDS. The lonely and tragic end of the man once called "The King," who was the most glamorous presence on the Sunset Strip, deeply shocked fans and former members as an event symbolizing the price paid for the madness of '80s metal.

7. Resurrection, Renewed Splintering, and Muddy Court Battles (2007-2020)

7.1 Miraculous Comeback with "Infestation" (2010)

In 2007, Stephen Pearcy returned to the band. In 2008, former Quiet Riot guitarist Carlos Cavazo joined the lineup. Then in 2010, they released "Infestation," their first studio album in 11 years, via Roadrunner Records. Produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette, this album was hailed as a masterpiece that revived the '80s RATT sound with modern sonic punch. Singles like "Best of Me" and "Eat Me Up Alive" delighted long-time fans, and the album ranked No. 30 on the Billboard charts. With the return of original bassist Juan Croucier in 2012, expectations for a complete revival soared.

7.2 "Two RATTs" and the Trademark Dispute (2015-2018)

However, when Pearcy hinted at another departure in 2014, the internal power struggle surfaced. Drummer Bobby Blotzer claimed that his management company, WBS, Inc. (named after the initials of Warren, Bobby, and Stephen), held exclusive rights to the RATT trademark. In 2015, Blotzer excluded the other original members and began touring under the name "RATT" with a band of hired musicians.

In response, the trio of Pearcy, DeMartini, and Croucier united to file a lawsuit against Blotzer. The point of contention was whether the procedure excluding Croucier from the partnership agreement (signed in 1985) during the establishment of WBS in 1997 was valid. In 2016, the court ruled that "the exclusion of Croucier was invalid as it did not receive the consent of all partners," declaring that the RATT trademark still belonged to the four-way partnership (Pearcy, DeMartini, Croucier, Blotzer). Furthermore, Blotzer's unauthorized use of the "RATT" name was deemed an infringement, and he lost the right to use the band name (though he is permitted to call himself the "former drummer of RATT"). With this ruling, Pearcy and the others restored their status as the legitimate RATT.

7.3 The Dismissal of Warren DeMartini and Hiatus (2018-2022)

Following their legal victory, the band seemed poised for a smooth resumption of activities, but in 2018, Warren DeMartini left the band. According to reports, DeMartini was reluctant to continue activities in a manner that completely excluded Blotzer, or there were disagreements on the business side.

They toured under a new lineup centered around Pearcy and Croucier (joined by Jordan Ziff, Chris Sanders, and others), but partly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the band went on a hiatus from 2022 onward.

8. Present Day: The 2025 Reunion and Future Outlook

In January 2025, it was announced that the long-standing feud between Stephen Pearcy and Warren DeMartini had been resolved, and they would resume activities as a duo. They are scheduled to perform as headliners at the "M3 Rock Festival" in May 2025. However, this reunion is credited as "Pearcy & DeMartini" rather than under the name "RATT." This is speculated to be because they share the sentiment that "a band without Robbin Crosby is not completely RATT," or to bypass the remaining complexities of legal rights. Their backing band includes Carlos Cavazo (G), Matt Thorr (B), and Blas Elias (Dr, ex-Slaughter). Pearcy stated in an interview, "This is to celebrate the legacy of RATT, and we aren't ruling out the possibility of new music," marking a long-awaited thaw for the fans.

9. Discography

This section covers major studio albums and noteworthy releases in the Japanese market.

9.1 Studio Albums

9.2 Compilations & Rare Tracks

• Ratt & Roll 81-91 (1991): A greatest hits album from the Atlantic era.
• Collage (1997): Released first in Japan (VICP-60050). A must-have album for fans, featuring B-sides, unreleased tracks, and re-recorded songs from the Mickey Ratt era (such as "Steel River" and "Dr. Rock").
• Tell the World: The Very Best of Ratt (2007): The definitive best-of album released by Rhino Records.

9.3 Japanese Singles

Japanese single releases often feature unique artwork and B-sides, and they trade at high prices in the collector's market.

10. Bond with Japan: Japan Tour History

RATT enjoyed immense popularity in Japan as the "symbol of LA Metal."

1. 1985: World Infestation Tour
   • First performance in Japan. Circuited Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and other cities. It is said that thousands of fans swarmed the airport.
2. 1986: Invasion of Your Privacy Tour
   • A tour held in April. The performance at Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium (April 23) has become legendary via bootlegs and other media. The setlist included rare early tracks.
3. 1987: Dancing Undercover Tour
   • A tour during the band's absolute prime. Included a performance at the Nippon Budokan.
4. 1989: Reach for the Sky Tour
   • Held in January. Appeared in events such as the "New Year's Eve Special" held at the Tokyo Dome, proving their stadium-class popularity in Japan.
5. 1991: Detonator Tour
   • Held in February. Performed at Omiya Sonic City, Shibuya Public Hall, Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium, Nakano Sunplaza, Osaka Festival Hall, and other venues. This was the final Japan tour with the original lineup including Robbin Crosby.
6. 2010: LOUD PARK 10
   • Visited Japan following the release of "Infestation." Performed their old-time hits at the festival held at Saitama Super Arena, demonstrating that they were still going strong.

11. The Legacy of RATT

The history of RATT is a microcosm of the glory and tragedy of rock and roll. RATT changed the world with a single song, "Round and Round," but their subsequent career was marred by internal strife and lawsuits. However, Warren DeMartini's innovative guitar playing, Stephen Pearcy's one-and-only voice, and the sonic framework built by Robbin Crosby are musical legacies that deserve to be appreciated far beyond the 1980s. The 2025 reunion of Pearcy and DeMartini hints that the story of RATT is not yet finished. True to their name, RATT remains resilient, continuing to embody the everlasting vitality of rock music.