Ratt -
Corporation
Sheffield
The Ratt
Pack consisting of original members Vocalist Steve Pearcy, Drummer
Bobby Blotzer and lead guitarist Warren De Martini are back in the
UK for their 25th Anniversary tour. Completing the line up are Robbie
Crane on bass and John Corabi (ex-Mötley Crüe) on guitar.
Ratt
come to the UK with a string of platinum album sales behind them. They have sold
over 16 million albums since they were signed to Atlantic Records and
released the classic Out Of The Cellar album in 1984. However this still
isn’t enough to persuade our mate Darren Oldale to Join us tonight:
“My wife wants to watch the new Indiana Jones movie at thecinema so no I
won’t be coming”. Well we may not have the Dolby sound surround, special
effects or the pop corn but trust me, when Ratt drag their arse over the
Atlantic it’s not to be missed.

Not an ounce
of glam attire in sight as Steve Pearcy hits the stage in a cowboy hat, black
leather waist coat looking more like a biker than a glam star. They powered
their way through Tell the World, Sweet Cheater and Walkin’ the Dog from their
debut EP. I thought Alzheimer’s had kicked in as I couldn’t remember any of the
lyrics until it got to Walking the Dog. Like many fans we fell in love with Ratt
after hearing their brilliant “ Out Of The Cellar album “ Steve Pearcy said “
We have come here to party ” and those gems such as The Morning After, You
Think You’re Tough, Back For More, Wanted Man, I’m Insane , and Lack Of
Communication were unleashed like a cork from a champagne bottle and the party
was in full swing. You have to compliment the band for retaining that
distinctive Ratt sound. It’s pretty strange not seeing lead guitarist and co
writer of many classic Ratt songs big Robbin The King Crosby on stage as he
sadly passed away back in 2004 but we have to say John Corabi on background
vocals and 2 nd lead guitar complimented the band immensely and as “ You’re In
Love ” and “ Lay It Down ” from the “ Invasion Of You’re Privacy ” album kicked
in so did the need to hit the dance floor and rock out.

To our
amazement and pleasure there were some younger fans in to see Ratt that we had
wrongly dismissed as probably been here to see support act Zodiac Mindwarp. This
dude was singing all the words to all the songs and we had to pull him over and
have a word. - "Hey big hair, how come you know
all these songs so well?" - I’m really into all the 80’s rock bands, I
can’t get enough of it”
Well that’s
encouraging to hear as Ratt continue to party on with songs from the Dancing
Undercover and Reach for the Sky albums plus of course the Detonator album. “
Loving You Is A Dirty Job ” and Steve Pearcy is the man to do it. That trade
mark vocal style is a little raspy tonight but not losing too much range as
would be noticed.

Bobby
Blotzer and bassist Robbie Crane were very tight and solid but Bobby, why the
Bill and Ben (the flower pot men) hat? The other real treat was of course seeing
Warren Di Martini live again. The last time we saw him he was playing with
Whitesnake and he fitted into the band like Nelson Mandela at a Ku Klux Klan
convention. Maybe it was the awful thin guitar sound or that he felt like the
new kid on the block or the hired hand? Who knows and who gives a shit? Tonight
we see Warren at his best, very melodic, articulate, visual and the corner stone
to the Ratt energy and sound. He often shared harmony guitar parts with John
Corabi and this added to the show in terms of colour and vision.

They ended
with Body Talk from Dancing Undercover, (well we say ended). There’s one song
that defines this brilliant band and Steve Pearcy says he’s having none of that
walking off stage for encores. He thanked the fans several times tonight for
their continued support and at relatively short notice it was a good turn out in
Sheffield. No Ratt show is complete until we are blessed with the timeless riff
myster anthem that is my friends "Round and Round".
I’m sorry
Dazzling my old mate but you missed the real premier performance tonight. 25
years on and Ratt are living proof there’s life after glam and indeed that 80’s
rock is still relevant to the youth of today. Look out for the Ratt Compilation
album due out in July. If Ratt are coming your way do us a favour, book to see
the Indiana Jones movie on another day because this was vintage Ratt out of the
cellar and hungrier than ever!
Reviewed by
the Bailey Brothers All photos by Mick Bailey (c)
2008 RockUnited.Com

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