On November 29th, vocalist Stephen Pearcy posted a teaser via his Twitter account, suggesting the return of the “real” Ratt in 2017. Word has since come down that Pearcy, guitarist Warren DeMartini and bassist Juan Croucier have reclaimed the rights to the band name, while drummer Bobby Blotzer has been expelled from the partnership following ongoing litigation.

Issued exclusively by Eddie Trunk here, the following statement comes courtesy of Stephen M. Doniger, Esq.:

“After the four remaining original members of Ratt (Pearcy, DeMartini, Croucier and Blotzer) finished touring in 2014, Bobby Blotzer began touring as Bobby Blotzer’s Ratt Experience, and Juan Croucier began touring as Ratt’s Juan Croucier. Realizing that he could make ten times as much per show touring as Ratt, Blotzer relabeled his cover band as Ratt, over the objections of every other member of the band. He then proceeded to get into litigation with each of his three partners in an effort to usurp control of the Ratt name, claiming that WBS owned the band name and he controlled WBS.

A Federal District Court in the Central District of California has now Ordered judgment to be entered against WBS/Blotzer, finding that WBS does not own the Ratt name (WBS, Inc. v. Juan Croucier et al., Case No. 2:15-cv-07251-DDP). Under a 1985 written Ratt Partnership Agreement, the name/trademarks are the property of the partnership and can only be transferred with the unanimous approval of all partners. Thus, in 1997 when Blotzer, DeMartini and Pearcy purported to transfer the trademarks to WBS, that transfer was invalid since Juan Croucier (Ratt bassist) whom was still a partner, and never advised of, let alone consented to, the transfer. Thus, the partnership still owns the Ratt name.

Pearcy, DeMartini and Croucier have also expelled Blotzer from the partnership. Blotzer thus has no further interest in the Ratt name and may now only refer to himself as a “former member of Ratt” as per the partnership agreement. DeMartini, Pearcy and Croucier look forward to continuing to tour as Ratt and thank their fans for all the ongoing support.”

Official press release (real) RATT 2017 TBA! pic.twitter.com/ZxXaJJWjaD

— STEPHEN PEARCY (@StephenEPearcy) November 29, 2016

On October 1st, Pearcy (vocals), DiMartini (guitars) and Croucier (bass) reunited aboard the Monsters Of Rock Cruise West, which was completely unexpected by those in attendance, and performed a set of Ratt classics. They were backed by Quiet Riot guitarist Carlos Cavazo, who played on the Infestation album from 2010, and drummer Jimmy DeGrasso (Y&T, Megadeth).

Fan-filmed video of the band performing has been trickling in; check out newly uploaded footage of  "You're In Love". Previously released clips of "Round And Round" and "Wanted Man" are also available.

Speaking with metal guru and radio host Eddie Trunk, Ratt drummer Bobby Blotzer addressed latest news of his version of Ratt, the multitude of lawsuits currently ripping the band name to shreds, issues with Warren DeMartini, Don Dokken, and a recent photo of the other four members of the classic Ratt line-up.

Pearcy recently guested on Episode 247 of One On One With Mitch Lafon. In the show's only interview, Pearcy talks about: his upcoming solo album Smash, recently singing alongside Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford, the Ratt album Dancing Undercover, and the recently released picture of him sitting along side Ratt bandmates Juan Croucier and Warren DeMartini. Was it simply a photo or was it a hint of things to come? "Never say never... the picture spoke a thousand words."

See the photograph in question, and listen to the audio interview below: