Legendary glam metallers Ratt are of paramount importance when discussing the consolidation of the '80s scene, being one of its first bands and attaining commercial success. Since their origin in 1976, the Californians have led a storied history including an untimely death, multiple breaks up and reunions and most recently a bitter legal dispute regarding the use of the band's name late last year. This incarnation of the hair metal classic features drummer Bobby Blotzer – the only member that appeared on the debut album 'Out of the Cellar' – rejuvenated by vocalist Joshua Alan, guitarist Stacey Blades from L.A. Guns and Roxx Gang, Mitch Perry also grabbed from Sin City Sinners on guitar and Y&T's Brad Lang on bass.
The last time fans could witness Ratt live in London was in 2008 so despite the lack of much in terms of a classic line up, Islington's O2 Academy is busy for a Sunday night. For a night of '80s rock 'n' roll nostalgia, this rodent gets the cheese. The lights go dark before the Americans take the stage one-by-one with Blotzer out last and launch into the appropriate 'Back for More'. . Initially the sound is off but an attempt to correct it surfaces and its glam metal pomposity becomes more pronounced and rocks through the venue. This segues into the classic 'Lovin' You's a Dirty Job' with a luscious playfulness and pop spirit. The first realisation is that Alan's mimicry of original vocalist Stephen Pearcy is sufficient for the role (no one would want anything different given Ratt's brief) but his stage presence is different to his predecessor – perhaps lacking in confidence and swagger but adequate nonetheless.
The remainder of the line up rocks out energetically thorough the set with Blades and Perry effortlessly tackling the solos. Ratt's music is fantastically seductive and each track is like an ear worm, burrowing into your ear canal and resolutely refusing to get out of your head. A significant chunk of the audience can sing along to every word of essentially every chorus. What they don't possess in L.A. Guns/Faster Pussycat style street fighting sleaze, Ratt substitute for dancing rocking glamour and the result is a hybrid between metal-tinged accessibility and '70s hard rock dreams. Tonight the guitars alternate between the rollicking runs exhibited in the likes of 'You're in Love' and 'You Should Know By Now' to the rhythmic rumbles of 'Lay It Down' and 'I Want a Woman'. Stylistic standouts 'Way Cool Jr' and 'Lack of Communication' are prime selections that hit home and receive outstanding applause from the crowd. Alan handles most of the stage banter but Blotzer comes forward at one point to say that it's fantastic that the hard rockers are in full force tonight to witness live music, not that the CDs and his former bandmates are comparatively weaker in anyway but that rock music should be enjoyed live. This is an endorsement that perfect suits the sentiment of most glam metal acts from the '80s.
Ratt leaves the stage after 'Lack of Communication' and return with a one-two punch encore; first 'Slip of the Lip' and finally – of course – 'Round and Round' as the flawless closer. Alan allows the audience to sing the first verse without any backing music, which feels like a poor decision, but the rest of the song is a fabulous way to see out the evening and finish the night. Those expecting some reincarnation of classic Ratt would have been disappointed by Blotzer's version but those interested in reliving some hair metal nostalgia to see out the cold weekend would have been satisfied. A fun spectacle.
FUTURE GIGS
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