This week we are honored to be interviewing the one and only Stephen Pearcy! Let's Rat n' Roll away and hear what SEP has to say …
Stephen, tell us what you've been up to! Where can people find out more about you?
Well the original "Ratt Bastard" is on the "American Metal Blast Tour" this summer with WASP, LA GUNS, Metalchurch, and in some select cities with other bands like Twisted Sister and a few others "known" and local bands. I have two sites people can hang at stephen-pearcy.com and topfuelentertainment.com. I have a new record ("Fueler") out on my label Top Fuel Records, that is being featured on ESPN. I have another record just coming out on Cleopatra/Top Fuel called "Rat Attack" that features George Lynch of Dokken/Lynch Mob and Tracii Guns of LA GUNS/Brides Of Destruction on guitars.
Let's get right to it. What is the current status of Ratt? Will we ever see a Ratt reunion?
I can finally say that the ridiculous lawsuit is settled and the primaries are now talking. So never say never …
There was a rumor that you contacted Warren and Bobby about reuniting Ratt before the "big" Motley Crue reunion. What happened and why did this fall through?
That is 100 percent true. I made an offer and they passed. That was then. A lot has changed so this is now.
You recently appeared in a movie called "Camp Utopia." How did you get involved in this project? How close to your own personality was the character that you played, Timothy Bach (Yes we know he is a serial killer)?
I was originally asked to submit some music and from there they offered me the role.
I am nothing like Bach. He was a cult leader who fed people acid and butchered them. Only cool thing is I got to kill some hotties.
If I created something, wrote the songs, was the voice, and everybody associated my likeness to that thing, why can't I legally own it?
I know what you are trying to get at, but business is business. I am re-recording a lot of Ratt music through my own label and name. But as far as Ratt goes, an agreement was made under the corporation then and whether I like it or not, I was let go. There will be no new Ratt records until I am involved, so will see what the future holds.
What Ratt record are you most proud of and which do you wish had never seen the light of day?
I wish we never did the last Ratt CD that was released on Portrait Records. It wasn't really a Ratt CD. John Kalodner brought a lot of songwriters in and had a vision of us making that "Aerosmith" comeback. It just wasn't us.
I am most proud of The Ratt EP. It was Robin, me and the boys doing what we do best without any corporate input.
You recently did vocals on the new Liberty n' Justice CD on a track called "Killer Grin." Hod did you get involved? How did the song come about?
Well they gave me a song that fit what I do. I re-did some melodies and lyrics and I really liked the song. I get approached all the time for projects and always say no. But I heard the song and saw who else they were working with like Lou Gramm from Foreigner and others. That's good company to be in. Plus, I knew Lou back in the Atlantic days and always respected him. Bottom line, the song rocks — and did I mention I got paid?
Tell us about Top Fuel Entertainment and your love of drag racing.
I've been around drag racing since I was twelve. One of my friends just won a race in Denver yesterday, Imagine going 322 miles an hour, that rocks man!
What do you think about Jizzy Pearl, the current Ratt singer?
I think Jizzy is cool, he's singing my songs. Jizzy's been pretty respectable and I don't have a beef with him. It's just a gig and he's getting paid. He better enjoy it, you never know when it might end.
We once heard a rumor about a time you went out of town and your neighbors saw Eddie Van Halen in your bushes. What was Eddie doing in your bushes?
Now that's funny, Eddie has been a good friend of mine for a long time. He used to live down the street from me and he'd tell his wife he was quitting drinking and leave things behind in my bushes for later consumption. I spoke to him a few months back, Eddie is cool.
What are the three high and low points to your musical career to date?
Highs: Major Label deal through Atlantic, hearing my songs on the radio, and going platinum.
Lows: Ratt's name in a corporation. Every low is a learning experience.
How is your relationship with Juan Crouchier?
I talk to Juan, we still have a common interest. Juan's a friend — at least I hope he considers me a friend.
Ratt has toured with a lot of bands. Who did you enjoy the most and who did you wish would quit mid-tour?
Enjoyed everyone, really enjoyed the Ozzy Tour. Opening for Ozzy was incredible. Billy Squier was alittle something else. We would just walk around the arena waiting for him to wake from his naps. Man, he took a lot of naps.
When we headlined, we always took the upcoming "hot" bands. After seeing Bon Jovi and Poison I knew they were gonna be big.
What do you believe spiritually?
The older you get, you got to believe in something, right?
What does 2005 and beyond hold for SEP?
Some big suprises, a little touring, I still enjoy shouting and playing. I totally appreciate past, present, and future Ratt n' Rollers. Their continued support has allowed me to do what I love to do. Our future is gonna rock!
And finally, a Liberty n' Justice 4-ALL word association. We will mention a name or thing, and you give us your thoughts:
Warren DeMartini (RATT)
Stealth
Davied Lee Roth (Van Halen)
Brilliant, the ultimate front man
Vince Neil (Motley Crue)
A brother
Robin Crosby (RATT)
The King
Steve Rachelle (Tuff/ Metal Sludge)
I respect him, he should have broken through back in the day. Never gave up and is making it now.
Blackie Lawless (WASP)
Goofy, Blackie is Blackie
Brad Aarons (your manager)
Kicker unleashing good stuff. Gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked.
Eddie Trunk (DJ)
Pure R n' R, defender of the faith
George Lynch (Dokken/ Lynch Mob)
A modern-day Jeff Beck
Bobby Blotzer (RATT)
Intentions are good