Ratt
Cotillion Ballroom
Wichita, Kansas
May 16, 2010
By Jeb
Wright
Setlist:
You’re In Love | Lay It Down | Lack Of Communication | Take A
Big Bite | I Want A Woman | Slip Of The Lip | Eat Me Up Alive |
Lovin’ You’s A Dirty Job | Last Call | Back For More | Nobody
Rides For Free | Way Cool Jr. | Wanted Man | Best Of Me | You
Think Your Tough | Round And Round
Ratt
returned to Wichita’s Cotillion Ballroom for the first time in
twenty-six years in support of their new album Infestation.
The band consists of vocalist Stephen Pearcy, drummer Bobby
Blotzer, bassist Robbie Crane and guitarists Warren DeMartini
and Carlos Cavazo, formerly of Quiet Riot. Ratt, one of the
most famous Sunset Strip bands of all time, have had many issues
over the years including rotating band members, a death of a
band member and substance above issues that would scare most
hardcore addicts. The band has now settled into a new phase of
life while more or less reforming the classic lineup of the band
(minus bass player Juan Croucier), and released possibly the
best album of their career.
I have
always thought the band’s biggest fanatics should be called Ratt
Finks and from the look of the diehard fans at this venue one
quickly realized that Ratt draws a mixture of mean looking
bikers with big bellies and strippers – many past their prime.
Suffice it to say that the people watching, on this night was as
enjoyable as the music.
The band
does not have a ton of hits but what they do have was played
well. “Lay It Down,” “Wanted Man,” “Way Cool Jr.” and, of
course, “Round and Round” all got the crowd shouting out loud
and waving metal signs in the air. Fan favorites “Lovin’ You’s
A Dirty Job,” “Back For More” and “Slip Of The Lip” were totally
embraced by the Ratt Pack. The crowd was privy to three songs
from the new disc, Infestation. The new songs were
treated with the same reverence as the classic as there was no
exodus to the bars or the bathrooms during “Eat Me Up Alive,”
“Last Call” and “Best of Me.” Ratt earned some class points by
taking time to remember Ronnie James Dio who passed away earlier
in the day.
Pearcy is
still a good front man and he remains in decent voice (he was
never in great voice). He pulled off the old material and the
new without any major issues though his pitchy shrill does get a
bit annoying at full volume. The stars of the show were
guitarists Cavazo and DeMartini, with the former Quiet Riot
axe-slinger winning the battle of the six strings. Cavazo can
play with speed, dexterity and power. Just as he would come
close to stealing the show, however, DeMartini would unleash a
classic lick and then the two would play an extended harmony
solo. Warren’s game was right around a “B+” while Carlos walked
away with an “A” and a gold star.
Ratt would
do well to package up with other bands of their era and go on a
major 80’s metal tour. But for tonight, at least, Ratt nearly
packed the house. The quality of the new music keeps a Ratt
concert from being a nostalgic event. They appear to have
something to prove. Only time will tell if they have grown up
to the point to make this happen or if old personalities and
problems will sneak their way back into the fold. Either way,
Infestation is a great CD and the band is pushing hard to
regain at least a glimpse of their former glory.
