Warren DeMartini and Carlos Cavazo Out of Ratt
Rumors started circling in April that guitarist and classic member Warren DeMartini had been ousted from Ratt, along with rhythm guitarist of the past decade or so, Carlos Cavazo. According to a recent statement posted by the band on Facebook, that rumors appear to have been true.
Stephen Pearcy and bassist Juan Croucier, who now own the rights to the name “Ratt,” are allegedly getting retribution at DeMartini for the years he controlled the band with ex-drummer Bobby Blotzer. Blotzer, of course, has been out of the band for several years now and has been touring with a scab version of the band posing as the real thing. Croucier rejoined the band from 2012 to 2014 and again in 2017 after initially leaving in 1991.
Man, I gotta be honest: it ain’t Ratt without DeMartini. It ain’t Ratt without Pearcy, either. Everyone else, I hate to say it, is secondary. I’m sure the live shows will still be some fun — the band has several scheduled — but this makes me very concerned for any future records they plan to make; I doubt they’ll have any magic at all without DeMartini involved. Cavazo was a damn fine addition to the band, too; he’ll be missed.
No word on who will replace DeMartini and Cavazo in the band’s live lineup.
Here’s Ratt’s statement in full, which leaves out any mention of DeMartini whatsoever:
“The new breed of RATT, led by founding members vocalist Stephen Pearcy and bassist, vocalist Juan Croucier, will relaunch its well-storied hard rock brand this summer with a teaser of tour dates that foreshadow a schedule that will keep the band busy through the end of the year into 2019.”
“While RATT has evolved over several decades and endured various incarnations, this ‘new breed’ of RATT promises to bring a renewed energy to the band. ‘We have not had an all-original member line up since 1991 and sadly with the passing of Robbin Crosby, that chapter is over,’ said Pearcy. ‘However, if you still want to see the original band, there are many videos on YouTube and other places to enjoy. That was a fucking great band, but I guarantee that the new breed of RATT that we put on stage every night will be in your face, energized and fully engaged. Simply put, the band our fans deserve.’
“The band promises to deliver a show heavy in the hits from their biggest albums which sold over 20 million copies worldwide. Being one of the original Sunset Strip hard rock bands of the ’80s, RATT with the quadruple platinum-selling debut “Out of The Cellar” began their infestation. The band continues to grow their global fan base to this day, as new fans discover RATT through streaming services like Spotify, songs in movies, tv and new youth-oriented shows. The band is planning new tracks for 2019, along with a worldwide tour in support of Out of The Cellar‘s 35th anniversary.
“‘Naturally, we are excited for the future of RATT,’ declared Croucier, continuing: ‘Our long-term goals are still the same: give the RATT fans the highest quality shows possible — period. The evolution of the band has had many twists and turns. We are looking to the future, and to the many good times ahead. We are moving forward with — the new breed of RATT’
Here are the current incarnation’s upcoming tour dates, with the band promising more to be announced soon:
Jul. 07 – Mulvane, KS – Kanas Star Casino
Jul. 13 – Costa Mesa, CA – Pacific Amp @OC Fair
Jul. 21 – Detroit, MI – Chene Park Amp
Sep. 07 – Hinckley, MN – Grand Casino
Sep. 29 – Las Vegas, NV – Fremont
Oct. 05 – St Charles, IL – Arcada Theatre
Oct. 06 – Manistee, MI – Little River Casino
Oct. 12 – El Paso, TX – Speaking Rock
Oct. 13 – Dallas, TX – Bomb Factory
Oct. 14 – Corpus Christi, TX – Concrete St
Oct. 17 – Little Rock, AR – Arkansas State Fair
Oct. 25 – Worley, ID – Courdalene Casino
[via Loudwire]
