Concert review: RATT rolls again and brings Infestation to Philadelphia - May 8, 2010!

There is something magical about seeing a heritage band for the first time. Having never been given the opportunity to see them in their heyday (I was in 3rd Grade when Out of the Cellar was released), Ratt was always one of those bands I observed from afar.

However, there is also a danger involved with heritage bands creeping out of the woodwork, like zombies from past memories invading on your life’s present. We’ve seen it happen, sadly, all too often, when a once-loved band resurrected itself 15-20 years after its heyday, only to emerge as a bloated, hollow shadow of its former self. And we find ourselves asking over and over again, why???

Thankfully, my fears were for naught on Saturday night when the boys from the strip made their way to the bustling streets of Philadelphia and ransacked the TLA.

Sure, I could go on about inconsequential minutia, like Philly’s wonderful parking situation or the venue’s sound problems, but the fact of the matter is, if you’ve ever been to a show in the City of Brotherly Love, those things are everyday occurrences.

When I made my way into the TLA, it was already packed, and I immediately felt like the youngest person in the audience. But that didn’t matter, because we were all there for one purpose, to see and enjoy a classic hard rock (because they don’t like to be called metal – see the interview with Warren DeMartini) band whose memory, for the past decade or so, has been kept on our consciences almost solely by VH1.

I don’t think anyone was expecting Ratt’s vintage arena stage show, because frankly, the TLA isn’t even half the size of an arena. Rather, what we were awaiting, and ultimately received, was a no-nonsense, in-your-face rock show – the closest thing Philadelphians will ever get to a tried-and-true Sunset Strip experience.

As the crowd was salivating for the show to begin, we were lulled into our own “Hot Tub Time Machine” thanks to a DJ whose overhead music choices took us back to the Heavy Metal Mania (pre-Headbangers Ball) glory days of MTV, by playing such classics as Judas Priest’s “Some Heads Are Gonna Roll” and Y&T’s “Summertime Girls.”

Eventually, the lights dimmed, and the crowd roared in unison as Bobby Blotzer, Warren DeMartini, Robbie Crane, Carlos Cavazo, and Stephen Pearcy emerged on stage and ripped right into a set of classics, favorites, and new material from Infestation.

Several observations fired in my mind at once during the lead track, “You’re In Love” - after all these years, DeMartini’s solos still give me chills; the trio of Cavazo, Crane, and DeMartini are still great backing vocalists (a talent that is lost on this generation of rock bands); and that Ratt does not act like their heyday ever passed – the band is as energetic, charismatic, and entertaining as I had imagined they always were.

There was very little banter between songs. I took that to mean that the band was there for business, because less talking meant more room for songs. Occasionally, Pearcy would blurt out, “I say f*** yes,” or give us a hint at was coming next, like asking if we wanted to do a little sidewalk surfing – introducing “Nobody Rides For Free.”

And let’s not discount the four new songs, which bled into the set full of classics seamlessly, as though they were always there. Songs like “Take a Big Bite,” “Last Call,” “Eat Me Up Alive,” and the new single “Best of Me” were appreciated equally alongside monster cuts like “Lack of Communication,” “Slip of the Lip,” and “Wanted Man.”

A staple of Ratt’s sound, which did not disappoint, was the stunning twin lead guitar solos. It was incredible hearing Carlos Cavazo complement DeMartini with such precision and stylish ease that it became difficult to recall Ratt without him – meaning no disrespect to the fallen Robbin “King” Crosby. But I can confess that the ability of the two guitarists working in tandem easily rivals that of Iron Maiden. Crucify me if you must, but you have to see it to believe it.

As the set progressed, it became apparent that Cavazo’s backing vocals often counterpointed Pearcy’s leads, which made us feel even more like he was always in the band. And if you watched closely, Crane would occasionally imitate some of former bassist Juan Croucier’s legendary goofy antics, which was just as funny. And on the ham-it-up tip, Blotz wore many hats throughout show literally! He started the show wearing a baseball cap; a few songs later he was wearing a simple headband; but by the end of the show, he was donning a white panama hat.

Interestingly, but expected, the audience went absolutely berserk when the intro chords of “Back For More” resonated through the hall, and you could barely hear Pearcy singing through the excitement of the crowd. “Back For More” received the loudest and most appreciative welcome of the set, even more so than “Round and Round,” most likely because once they started playing “Round and Round,” you knew the show was about to end.

It was a great night of fun and drink with a band I never thought I would ever get an opportunity to see. And I’ve always felt that the mark of a great concert is, when it is over, all you want to do is listen to the band some more. No surprise, to the right is a sampling of what my iPod offered up for the drive home.

So do yourself a favor, check out Ratt this summer; you won’t be disappointed!

The set list for May 8, 2010 included:

1. You’re In Love
2. Lay It Down
3. Lack of Communication
4. Take a Big Bite
5. I Want a Woman
6. Slip of the Lip
7. Eat Me Up Alive
8. Loving You Is a Dirty Job
9. Last Call
10. Back For More
11. Nobody Rides For Free
12. Way Cool Jr. (featuring a blues jam at the end)
13. Wanted Man
14. Best of Me
15. You Think You’re Tough
16. Round and Round

Ratt is on the road now, “infesting” America! Dates include:

May 10 at Irving Plaza in New York, NY
May 12 at House of Blues in Cleveland, OH
May 13 at Cubby Bear in Chicago, IL
May 14 at Medina Entertainment Center in Medina, MN
May 15 at 7 Flags Events Center in Des Moines, IA
May 16 at The Cotillion in Wichita, KS
May 18 at The Depot in Salt Lake City, UT
May 19 at Ogden Theatre in Denver, CO
May 20 at Idaho Falls Civic Auditorium in Idaho Falls, ID
May 22 at Majestic Ventura Theatre in Ventura, CA
May 23 at Pima County Fair (KLPX Radio) in Tucson, AZ
Jun 5 at Wendover Road Ride in Wendover, NV
Jul 10 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN (w/ Scorpions)
Jul 11 at Mud Island Amphitheatre in Memphis, TN (w/ Scorpions)
Jul 15 at 37 Main in Buford, GA
Jul 16 at Bayfront Park Amphitheatre in Miami, FL (w/ Scorpions)
Jul 17 at Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa, FL (w/ Scorpions)
Jul 19 at Mahalia Jackson Theatre in New Orleans, LA (w/ Scorpions)
Jul 21 at Nokia Live Theatre in Grand Prairie, TX (w/ Scorpions)
Jul 23 at Nokia Live Theatre in Grand Prairie, TX (w/ Scorpions)
Jul 25 at Zoo Amphitheatre in Oklahoma City, OK (w/ Vince Neil)
Jul 29 at Oasis Convention Center in Springfield, MO
Aug 1 at Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA (w/ Sebastian Bach)
Aug 4 at Raley Field in West Sacramento, CA (w/ Scorpions)
Aug 13 at Scriba Town Inn Summer Concert in Oswego, NY
Aug 14 at The Atlantic City Hilton in Atlantic City, NJ
Aug 20 at Northwoods Rock Rally in Glen Flora, WI
Sep 4 at Speaking Rock Event Center in El Paso, TX