Year : 2007-2024
Style: Hard Rock
Country: USA
Deadline Music / Cleopatra Records are releasing “Rarities“, a new RATT collection on Limited Edition Red Marble 12″ Vinyl and Digipak CD. From the ’80s metal vault comes this collection of vintage demos and live recordings of one of the American Rock scene biggest hitmakers, Ratt.
Features the earliest known recording of the band’s signature hit, “Round & Round”, complete with alternate lyrics and melody, as well as vintage performances of classics like “Body Talk”, “Wanted Man”, the rare demo “I Want It All”, and more.
Many of you requested RATT rare, early recordings – here’s this bootleg CD “Studio Demos” released some time ago packing demos from 1980-83 including their very first indie 7”.
This is not the liberated bootleg titled ‘Reach For My Detonator’ and similar titles, nor the ‘Mickey Ratt demos’ – the tracks and sound quality on “Studio Demos” is far superior.
The origins of RATT go at least as far back as 1976 with a San Diego band called Mickey Ratt, which was formed by vocalist Stephen Pearcy. Mickey Ratt went through various line-ups. Members included guitarists Jake E. Lee, Chris Hager, Paul DeNisco, and Bob DeLellis, bassists Matt Thorr, Tim Garcia, and Dave Jellison, Mike New, and drummers John Turner, Seth Faver, Dave Alford, and Bob Eisenberg.
In 1980, the band moved to Los Angeles to increase their chances of landing a recording contract with a major label. The band recorded a single called “Dr. Rock” / “Drivin’ on E”, which was given to fans at their early Los Angeles club shows. Guitarist Jake E. Lee joined the linea up.
In 1981, the band’s name was shortened to RATT. Robbin Crosby played with the band later in the year. Jake E. Lee, Chris Hager, Matt Thorr, and Dave Alford all left Ratt to form another band called Rough Cutt. Guitarist Warren DeMartini joined in January 1982 (recommended by Lee). Bassist Gene Hunter (from Jake E. Lee’s Teaser) and drummer Khurt Maier (who played drums on the early “Tell The World” recording) would temporarily play in Ratt before Bobby Blotzer and Juan Croucier (also with the band Dokken).
DeMartini was only 18 years old when he was called up to Los Angeles to join Ratt. At the time he was attending college in San Diego and reluctant to drop out to join a band that had, so far, only limited success.
Marq Torien briefly replaced DeMartini, though Warren returned in time for the recording of their debut EP, later in 1982. Meanwhile, several demos were taped.
“Studio Demos” display a band at the verge of success, rockin’ hot.
Highly Recommended
2007 - Rarities (2024 Reissue):
2020 - Studio Demos:
2022 - From The Streets To The Strip - Rarities Part 1:
2023 - Success & Excess - Rarities Collection Part 2:
Ratt – Rarities Collections (2007 – 2024)
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