The Band of The Month for November is RATT!!

RATT is a heavy metal band from Hollywood, California that had significant commercial success in the 1980s. Along with groups such as friendly rivals, Mötley Crüe, RATT has been recognized as instrumental in the formation of the early 1980s Los Angeles glam metal scene. The band’s sound is defined by Warren DeMartini and Robin Crosby’s impressive guitar solos and Stephen Pearcy’s highly sexual lyrics.

RATT broke into the mainstream with the album Out of the Cellar, which became a commercial success, going platinum many times over in the US. The album is widely regarded as the band’s best work and a definitive moment in 80s heavy metal. Their albums have been certified as gold, platinum, and multi-platinum by the RIAA. The group’s singles “Round and Round“ and “Lay it Down” ranked on Billboard’s top 40 at No. 12 and No. 40, respectively.

Quite possibly one of RATT’s biggest contributions to hair metal culture, is being one of, if not the first, to consistently and prominently use bombshell babes in their imagery. Tawny Kitaen (later famous for dancing on cars in Whitesnake videos) is the high school sweetheart of guitarist Robin Crosby. She is featured on the cover of Out of the Cellar, as well as the band’s first EP. She also appeared in their video for “Back for More,” as the girl in the 1950s skirt at the jukebox. The model on the band’s album cover for Invasion of Your Privacy, is Playboy Playmate Marianne Gravatte, who also made an appearance in the “Lay It Down” music video.

The band went on a hiatus in 1992, with a series of reunions in 1997, 2006, and 2012. On April 24, 2014, Stephen Pearcy announced he had left the band again, explaining he was “officially done with having anything to do with them due to the constant turmoil, unresolved business, personal attacks/threats in the public forum, and most of all, the disrespect to the fans.” Today, drummer Bobby Blotzer continues to tour under the RATT name and is the only remaining original member in the band.

Did you know? Here are some fun RATT facts!
-The band was originally named Mickey Ratt, and Jake E. Lee (Ozzy Osbourne) was one of the group’s guitarists.
-Many of the band’s early videos feature cameo appearances from celebrities like Tommy Lee & Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe), Ozzy Osbourne, and even Milton Berle.
-Invasion of Your Privacy was also one of the many albums that received the attention of the Parents Music Resource Center since the cover and the album title were a reference to voyeurism.
-Stephen Pearcy posed for Playgirl (August ’86 issue)
-After leaving the band in 1992, Warren DeMartini became a guitar player for Whitesnake in 1994, before returning to RATT in 1997.
-RATT is Polly Pantz’s favorite band!

Top 10 RATT songs from iTunes:
1. Round and Round
2. Lay it Down
3. You’re In Love
4. Back for More
5. Wanted Man
6. Way Cool Jr.
7. Lack of Communication
8. Slip Of The Lip
9. Nobody Rides For Free
10. I Want A Woman

Here are some of our favorite RATT songs:
1. Bodytalk
2. Lay it Down
3. Lovin’ You’s a Dirty Job
4. Dance
5. I Want A Woman
6. Nobody Rides For Free
7. What’s it Gonna Be (Polly’s favorite song!)
8. You Think You’re Tough
9. Shame Shame Shame
10. Givin’ Yourself Away