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)
Scene of the Crime
Ratt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I came by your house, but you, you weren't at home
Well, I knock on your door, I hear you beg for more
You broke the law you see, and that's a felony
[Chorus]
I think you've been caught (You have been caught)
At the scene of the crime (You have been caught)At the scene of the
Now I know what you've done to me
At the scene of the crime
Cold blooded bitch goin' out on me
I've got me a weapon, got me a loaded gun
You know I'll track you down
And you'll be on the run, no fun
[Chorus]
You broke the law in the first degree
Cold blooded bitch goin' out on me
[Chorus]
Now I know what you thought of me
Cold blooded bitch goin' out on me
Well, I know, well, you know, well, I know
Well, I know, well, your games
And I don't want to play
[Chorus]
You broke the law in the first degree
Cold blooded bitch goin' out on me
[Chorus]
Well, now I know what you thought of me
Cold blooded bitch goin' out on me
You've been out, and I've been cheated
Well, I've been lied to, again and again, again and again
[Chorus]
Now I know what you've done to me
At the scene of the crime
Cold blooded bitch goin' out on me
At the scene of the
(You have been caught) At the scene of the crime, yeah
(You have been caught) At the scene of the
You broke the law in the first degree
At the scene of the crime
Cold blooded bitch goin' out on me
At the scene of the crime
"Scene of the Crime" by Ratt is a classic hard rock song about catching someone in the act of betrayal. The lyrics tell the story of the singer discovering that his lover has been cheating on him and how he is going to seek revenge. The first verse sets up the situation, with the singer wanting to "rock" and his lover wanting to "roll," which is a metaphor for their differing lifestyles and priorities. The next verse reveals that the singer has found out that his lover has been unfaithful and is now on the run.
The chorus is the main hook of the song, in which the singer declares that his lover has been caught "at the scene of the crime" and that she is a "cold-blooded bitch" for betraying him. He also makes it clear that he intends to pursue her with a loaded gun and that there will be "no fun" for her when he catches her. The bridge features a more introspective section of the song, with the singer acknowledging that he has been cheated and lied to repeatedly and that he no longer wants to play his lover's games.
Overall, "Scene of the Crime" is a classic example of the hard rock genre, with its driving guitar riff, pounding drums, and aggressive vocals. It's a song about betrayal, revenge, and the consequences of crossing the wrong person.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to rock, but you, you dared to roll
I wanted to stay true to my style, but you chose to try something new and different.
I came by your house, but you, you weren't at home
I went to visit you, but you were not available.
Well, I knock on your door, I hear you beg for more
When I knocked on your door, I heard you ask for more of something.
You broke the law you see, and that's a felony
You violated the law, and that is a serious crime.
I think you've been caught (You have been caught)
I believe you have been caught by the authorities.
At the scene of the crime (You have been caught)
The authorities found you at the location where the crime occurred.
Now I know what you've done to me
I am now aware of what you have done to me.
Cold blooded bitch goin' out on me
You are a ruthless person and you have betrayed me.
I've got me a weapon, got me a loaded gun
I have obtained a weapon, a gun with ammunition.
You know I'll track you down
You understand that I will find you.
And you'll be on the run, no fun
You will have to flee and it will not be an enjoyable experience.
You broke the law in the first degree
You have committed the most serious type of crime.
Well, I know, well, you know, well, I know
Both of us understand the situation.
Well, I know, well, your games
I understand your manipulative behavior.
And I don't want to play
I do not want to participate in your games anymore.
Now I know what you thought of me
I now understand your opinion and impression of me.
You've been out, and I've been cheated
You have been absent, and I have been deceived.
Well, I've been lied to, again and again, again and again
You have repeatedly lied and deceived me.
(You have been caught) At the scene of the crime, yeah
You were apprehended at the location where the crime was committed.
(You have been caught) At the scene of the
You were caught red-handed at the location where the crime took place.
Cold blooded bitch goin' out on me
You have betrayed me in a cold, calculated manner.
At the scene of the crime
You were caught at the location where the crime occurred.
You broke the law in the first degree
You committed the most serious type of crime.
Cold blooded bitch goin' out on me
You have betrayed me in a ruthless, calculated manner.
At the scene of the crime
You were caught at the location where the crime occurred.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CROSBY CROUCIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind