Rattgate: Bobby Blotzer Wins First Round vs. Warren DeMartini in RATT Legal Scuffle
In case you’re just tuning in: Ratt drummer Bobby Blotzer is raping and pillaging the band’s name by hiring a bunch of hired guns and touring under the Ratt moniker. Ratt guitarist and band corporation co-owner Warren DeMartini — as well as the rest of the sane world — thinks this is complete bullshit and is suing Blotzer over it.
Now that we’re all caught up, the latest: DeMartini filed a temporary restraining order in an LA court to stop Blotzer from touring under the Ratt name and that request has been denied, meaning Blotzer is free to tour as Ratt until a proper, full-fledged court case can work itself out (which will take who knows how long). Here’s a statement from Blotz released to BraveWords:
Hi Ratt n Rollers:
Just popping in with a tad bit of Ratt news, for my brain’s own release.
On Sept. 30th, Warren Deanmartin filed a request for a temporary restraining order to keep his 50% business partner and co-owner of WBS, INC. (Ratt) from taking the business out of the red and into the black, while bringing the fans a great show, to preclude me from taking the reins in the corporation, and touring under the Ratt banner.
On October 2nd, we were downtown in Los Angeles County Superior Court for the hearing that Mr. WD filed for a T.R.O. (temporary restraining order) which was denied on all issues.
Although this is just the appetizer, as Mr WD will seek an order for an injunction on the same issues based on the same laws and using the same evidence as he used in his unsuccessful attempt at the restraining order.
In my positive quest to keep business doors open wide, we believe the same outcome will prevail regarding the injunction request.
Oddly, Warren’s claim that the musicians in Ratt are as he put it ‘Imposters and a tribute band.’ Well then Warren, answer this question, what does that make you after touring with an array of non original musicians including Robbie Crane on bass, Jizzy Pearl on lead vocals, and John Crabby on rhythm Guitar for 7 years as Ratt? Not to mention other temporary musicians including Keri Kelli & Michael Schenker not withstanding.
In the wake of our recent ‘Ratt’ fan filmed performances that have been widely viewed on YouTube & every major rock website, our current singer Josh & the entire band have been welcomed by the fans with open arms. Most comments state that after seeing the videos Josh is better than Pearcy now or even in his prime. Ratt fronted by lead singer Josh Alan along with the entire band including Doc Ellis, Blaze, Scotty Griffin & myself yours truly, have a 99% approval rating from commenters on rock sites where they are known to bash anyone and anything.
Just like a gum drop from the Candy King himself ‘what goes around, comes around.’
First Battle won, I like the odds. Best to all, even Warren!
Robert John Blotzer
October 5th 2015.
From a legal perspective, although Blotzer doesn’t say WHY the restraining order was denied, it seems as if it boils down to this: Blotzer owns 50% of the Ratt brand and therefore has just as much right as DeMartini to tour under the name. Perhaps any lawyers out there in the MS readerbase can chime in on this issue.
From a practical perspective, he’s certainly got a point: Ratt HAVE toured with a bunch of fill-ins.
But here’s the thing: even with those fill-ins, both Blotzer and DeMartini were always in the band together, not just one of them. DeMartini seemingly sees the ridiculousness of touring with just one original member. And surely the fact that said member is the friggin’ DRUMMER factors into that logic. The problem is that the law might not make such a distinction.
We’ll see how it all pans out. In the meantime, I’m sure Blotzer can look forward to tons of confused Ratt fans demanding their money back when they show up to see his band and are sorely disappointed when they learn who’s in it. Unfortunately DeMartini gets caught up in the mess too, as this nonsense — not to mention the media attention around it already — damages the Ratt brand. Shitty all around.
