Ratt released a self-titled mini-album in 1983 on a local label, the release now often known as just 'Ratt', and they struck up a close personal friendship with members of Mötley Crüe, friendly rivals that shared the same hard partying lifestyle. The aforementioned glam metal scene of southern California brought the fledgling band major inspiration. Ratt then made their breakthrough with their first full studio album, 'Out of the Cellar', which stayed in the Billboard Top 20 for six months. Single "Round and Round" became the signature song of the group. The album has since been certified as multi-platinum by the RIAA and continues to be loved by many metal fans.
They toured with Ozzy Osbourne before joining a Billy Squier jaunt, where they were apparently 'thrown off' because they were more popular than the headline act. Their subsequent output has seen them follow a familiar arena-friendly hard rock route, with accusations over sexist videos contrasting with their ability to sell out concert halls and produce recordings that regularly received platinum and gold certifications. In particular, their highly successful sophomore album, 'Invasion of Your Privacy', proved that they were no "one album wonder".
Still, the changing musical zeitgeist would not be kind to groups such as Ratt, with grunge and alternative rock seizing the spotlight. Ratt's 1990 release 'Detonator' featured several songs co-written with Desmond Child, known for his previous work with Alice Cooper and Bon Jovi among others, and it proved their most adventurous recording to date in some ways. Yet the group's success had clearly waned, and the years on the road had contributed to conflict within the band. Crosby would depart after the September 1991 release of compilation album 'Ratt & Roll 81-91'. In 1993, Pearcy unveiled his new solo outfit, Arcade, confirming the dissolution of the band.
Though the band reformed with a new self-titled album in 1999, also known as Ratt (1999). Pearcy would leave Ratt again not long after, unhappy with the album's sound and the musical chemistry within the band. Original guitarist Robbin Crosby's passing in 2002 caused many fans to fear that the group was gone for good. Nonetheless, the band re-united in 2007 for a successful tour with fellow 80s rockers Poison.
The band toured throughout the latter half of the 00s, as retro interests caused a general popular resurgence of 80s musical and culture, and hopes for a new album grew. Ratt went back into the studios minus original guitarist Robbin Crosby. He had died some years earlier brought on by the long and public battle he waged against drugs, having gotten AIDS from sharing needles. His last television interview was with VH1's 'Behind The Music' program, in which the rocker stated: "Don't feel sorry for me. Don't cry for me at my funeral. I've lived the life of ten men. I've been very lucky."
Ratt released a new album in 2010, titled 'Infestation', with Pearcy on the vocals. A commercial and critical comeback, fans rejoiced at the energetic metal sound. The release hit the #30 slot on the Billboard 200 album chart. It was also the first album since the death of Crosby in 2002.
On October 26, 2010, Ratt announced that the band would be going on indefinite hiatus due to internal tensions.
Reunion with Croucier and second departure of Pearcy (2012–2015)
In January 2012, Pearcy said Ratt was in the process of writing material for a new album, planned to be released that summer. On March 22, bassist Robbie Crane announced his departure from Ratt to focus on Lynch Mob. In April 2012, rumors arose original bassist Juan Croucier would rejoin the band that summer; these rumors were confirmed when Croucier played with Ratt at the M3 festival on May 12.
On April 24, 2014, Pearcy announced that he had left the band again, explaining he was "officially done with having anything to do with them due to the constant turmoil, unresolved business, personal attacks/threats in the public forum, and most of all, the disrespect to the fans."
Legal issues and two versions of Ratt again (2015–2018)
In June 2015, Blotzer formed a band called Bobby Blotzer's Ratt Experience. In August 2015, Croucier formed a touring band that played Ratt's deep cuts, with the band debuting in September.
In September 2015, Blotzer took over control of WBS, a company he set up with DeMartini and Pearcy in 1997 to handle RATT business, over the objection of DeMartini and announced that he had "taken control" of Ratt and his Ratt Experience lineup was the real Ratt and would be embarking a tour in 2016 titled the American Made Re-Invasion Tour.
Until early 2017, Blotzer toured using the name Ratt. The 2016 Re-Invasion tour took Ratt throughout North America. Their tour also took them to the UK, including Hard Rock Hell and London.
Ratt's "New Breed" and unknown future (2018–current)
On June 1, 2018, it was announced by vocalist Pearcy that Ratt would move forward with him and bassist Croucier. It was confirmed that DeMartini had departed from Ratt, with Cavazo and Degrasso following. On July 5, 2018, it was revealed that Pearcy and Croucier would be joined by Black 'N Blue drummer Pete Holmes and guitarists Jordan Ziff and Chris Sanders. In February 2020, guitarist Chris Sanders announced his departure from the band, along with announcing his retirement from the music industry.
In March 2020, the band announced they would be embarking on the Big Rock Summer Tour starting in June, along with Tom Keifer, Skid Row, and Slaughter. On June 17, the tour was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly after, it was announced that all Ratt shows in 2020 were rescheduled for 2021.
In January 2021, Pearcy expressed interest in making one final Ratt album with all the remaining original members. On June 26, Ratt announced the addition of guitarist Frankie Lindia of David Lee Roth's solo band, replacing Chris Sanders.
In September 2022, Pearcy revealed that he would only want to continue Ratt with the remaining classic-era bandmates, but that "it's not gonna happen". He said reuniting with the members would be "all business pretty much", but that "there's no business in the Ratt camp". He also revealed he regretted touring as Ratt with only Croucier from the classic lineup and that he would be continuing to play Ratt songs with his solo band
Website: http://www.therattpack.com/
Discography
Ratt (EP - 1983)
Out of the Cellar (1984)
Invasion of Your Privacy (1985)
Dancing Undercover (1986)
Reach for the Sky (1988)
Detonator (1990)
Ratt & Roll 81-91 (1991)
Ratt (1999)
Infestation (2010)
It Doesn't Matter
Ratt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without me
It's blackjack, don't look back, your luck is runnin' out of hand
You're dealin' over me
Jet set, upset, make a mess that never ends
You've had enough, you see
(It doesn't matter) The clothes you wear(It doesn't matter) If they stare
(It doesn't matter) If it's stop or go
(It doesn't matter) I don't need to know
It doesn't matter if it's Russian Roulette, it's not me
For free
You're so hot, you never stop, livin' life until you drop
It's not up to me
Out all night until the day, live your life some other way
It's still not up to me
(It doesn't matter) The clothes you wear
(It doesn't matter) If they stare
(It doesn't matter) If it's stop or go
(It doesn't matter) I don't need to know
Turnin' out the lights
For long weekend nights
Give me a reason why you're here
Again it's blackjack, don't look back, your luck is runnin' out of hand
You're dealin' over me
Jet set, upset, make a mess that never ends
You've had enough, you see
(It doesn't matter) The clothes you wear(It doesn't matter) If they stare
(It doesn't matter) If it's stop or go
(It doesn't matter) I don't need to know
Turnin' out the lights
For long weekend nights
It doesn't matter
It doesn't matter
It doesn't matter
It doesn't matter
Turnin' out the lights
For long weekend nights
(It doesn't matter)
(It doesn't matter) If they stare
(It doesn't matter) If it's stop or go
(It doesn't matter) I don't need to know
The opening lines of "It Doesn't Matter" by Ratt suggest that the singer has been left behind while his lover is off living the high life. They are jet-setting, making messes that never end, and living like there's no tomorrow. But for the singer, it's as if life has come to a halt without the person who used to be by their side. The chorus drives home the sentiment that it doesn't matter what the person does, where they go, or who they see because it won't be the same without the singer.
The song picks up the pace in the second verse and becomes much more aggressive. There's a sense of frustration that the singer can't seem to shake when thinking about their former love's antics. They don't care that their life is like Russian Roulette, that they are so hot they never stop, and that they party all night. The chorus is repeated twice more, emphasizing the fact that it doesn't matter what the person does because they aren't with the singer, and they don't need to know what they're up to.
Overall, "It Doesn't Matter" is a rock anthem that speaks to the heartache of losing someone and feeling stuck in place while they continue to live their life. The lyrics are raw and full of emotion, making it a standout track on Ratt's album "Detonator."
Line by Line Meaning
It doesn't matter what you do, where you go, who you see
My absence doesn't care about your activities, destinations, or company.
Without me
In the absence of my presence.
It's blackjack, don't look back, your luck is runnin' out of hand
You're taking risks like in a game of blackjack, and your luck is running out of control.
You're dealin' over me
You're making decisions that indirectly affect me.
Jet set, upset, make a mess that never ends
You live a fast-paced, tumultuous lifestyle that leads to perpetual chaos.
You've had enough, you see
You've reached your limit and now realize that it's time for a change.
(It doesn't matter) The clothes you wear
My absence is indifferent to the clothes you choose to wear.
(It doesn't matter) If they stare
My absence does not care if people are looking at you.
(It doesn't matter) If it's stop or go
My absence has no concern whether you're in motion or stationary.
(It doesn't matter) I don't need to know
My absence does not require me to know every detail of your life.
It doesn't matter if it's Russian Roulette, it's not me
Even if you're playing a dangerous game like Russian roulette, it has nothing to do with my absence.
For free
Without cost or obligation.
You're so hot, you never stop, livin' life until you drop
You're living life on the edge with a fast-paced, exhilarating lifestyle.
It's not up to me
The decision is out of my control.
Out all night until the day, live your life some other way
You're spending all night out until the next day and need to find a new way to live your life.
Turnin' out the lights, For long weekend nights
You're ending the day and preparing for long weekends.
Give me a reason why you're here
Explain the purpose of your presence to me.
Again it's blackjack, don't look back, your luck is runnin' out of hand
You're still taking risks like in a game of blackjack, and your luck continues to spiral out of control.
Turnin' out the lights, For long weekend nights
Ending the day and getting ready for weekends.
(It doesn't matter)
My absence does not care about anything mentioned previously.
(It doesn't matter) If they stare
My absence is indifferent if people are looking at you.
(It doesn't matter) If it's stop or go
My absence does not care if you're in motion or stationary.
(It doesn't matter) I don't need to know
My absence does not require me to know every detail of your life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CROUCIER PEARCY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind