GuitarInternational.com's Robert Cavuoto has issued a new interview with RATT vocalist STEPHEN PEARCY, in which he discusses his solo project and sets the record straight on the nature of the hiatus/future of Ratt. An excerpt follows:

Q: How does being a solo artist compare with being in Ratt?

A: "The pros are that I can do what I want, when I want and how I want, which is cool. But everything I write anyway is gonna be compared to Ratt because I sing it, write it and play it. It’s not like I try to go outside the park with the stuff. I have before with ARCADE and with Al Pitrelli in VERTEX. That was extreme. That was like insane industrial shit. I can get off on it. With Ratt, it pretty much has to take on its element and its own thing, so people get it. People want Ratt to sound like Ratt. It’s the same when you do a live show, fortunately with Infestation, 90% hit the mark, like with 'Eat Me Up Alive' and the other songs, people were like, 'Wow, that’s Ratt.' You also have to give them what they want. They want to go 'Round and Round' then to 'Lay It Down'.

Q: Do you think the desire to do solo projects comes out of the slowness of Ratt to put out CDs?

A: "Yeah, and unfinished business these days. Look, bottom line, I’m happy with the legacy if it were to end now. We were rewarded very, very well in the past, but we never really finished. We can’t blame it all on ourselves. We were just trying to be the people we were and the players and musicians we were. We never followed trends. We never cared about being press darlings. We never cared about Playmates we were bangin’ in the day. We never utilized all that stuff and never went to jail, or that you knew about. [Laughs] I was telling somebody the other day… 10-11 years to do Infestation - We’ll get this next one out, and we’ll hit the mark. Warren is right. We almost got there. It’s true."

Q: Ratt is on hiatus due to taking care of some “business stuff”. Can we assume that “business stuff” has all been taken care of?

A: "We’re just projecting that it should be by 2012. I mean, it should have been this year. If this all happens or something arises and he wants to start writing next month, I’ll be available. That’s the way it works. It should be a priority, but sometimes if things aren’t in their proper alignment, there’s no way we can be ready. All I know is we’re both getting antsy. That’s usually what brings us back together anyway, regardless of foolishness, lawsuits and all this other crap. That is over and done. It’s time to be musicians and friends again."

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Pearcy has issued his new solo single, 'Too Much Is Never Enough', via iTunes. The song is taken from his new album Sucker Punch, due to be released before the end of the year. Go to this location to check out the song and to download.

In live news, Pearcy has the following shows booked:

July

23 - Royalton, MN - Halfway Jam

August

13 - West Allis, WI - Wisconsin State Fair

October

8 - San Antonio, TX - Back Stage Live

As previously reported, Episode #113 of the Iron City Rocks podcast featuring Pearcy is now available. He discusses the recording of Sucker Punch, his unique vocal style, the future of Ratt, the possibility of a retrospective live album and/or DVD and much more.

Listen below:

Iron City Rocks