RATT guitarist Warren DeMartini says that he is "totally against" his bandmate Bobby Blotzer's decision to use the RATT name for the drummer's "tribute band" and is taking steps "to prevent any further misuse" of the brand.
Blotzer announced on Wednesday (September 23) that he was taking control of the RATT name and was planning to hit the road with a new version of the group, which played shows earlier in the year under the name BOBBY BLOTZER'S RATT EXPERIENCE.
WBS, Inc., the company which owns the RATT brand, was originally formed by Blotzer, DeMartini and singer Stephen Pearcy. Pearcy lost his share of the name in court after splitting with the group in 2000. He returned to the band in 2006 but exited again last year. Blotzer has since expressed his desire to keep RATT alive with a new singer, but explained that DeMartini did not want to tour as RATT without Pearcy.
In an exclusive statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET, DeMartini says that he does not have any objections to Blotzer performing RATT's music with other musicians, but makes it clear that he does not want the drummer to "solicit his tribute band as RATT."
DeMartini's statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET reads as follows:
"Back in March, Bob Blotzer phoned me and said he wanted to form a RATT tribute band and call it something like '…RATT EXPERIENCE.' I suggested he not use RATT in the title and call it something like BOB'S CELLAR as RATT's debut record, 'Out Of The Cellar', has rounded its third decade. He said something to the effect that he wanted to use RATT in the title 'like JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE.' I said I had no problem with him playing songs he recorded with RATT, but I didn't agree to him using the name in the title. He used it anyway.
"Now he is soliciting his tribute band as RATT which he is completely unauthorized to do. I am totally against it, and steps are being taken to prevent any further misuse of the name as well as representation about future RATT performances."
Joining Blotzer in the new "RATT" lineup are singer Josh Alan (SIN CITY SINNERS), bassist Scotty Griffin (ex-L.A. GUNS), and guitarists Doc Ellis (Jizzy Pearl's LOVE/HATE) and Blaze.
Shortly after announcing the formation of BOBBY BLOTZER'S RATT EXPERIENCE in March, Blotzer posted a message explaining that while he "had the right to go out and tour as RATT, [he] would not consider that." He added: "This is not RATT, but a chance to go out a tour with complete familiarity in our music for you, the fans of RATT and myself humbly… After five years of us not touring, I'm bored and I want to play our songs that we all wrote and created. It ain't RATT, okay, but I'm confident after you see my band playing Ratt N Roll music, you'll agree that it kicked your asses, and you walk out with a good buzz on and in your ears when we start rollin' up on your town."
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http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/exclus ... 6Ko79pp.99
