KNAC.com's Deb Rao caught up with former RATT frontman STEPHEN PEARCY recently and spoke about why there will never be a Ratt reunion, his new album Fueler, and a special preview to the Metal in America Tour 2006. A few excerpts follow:

KNAC.com: How does Fueler differ from your first solo album, Social Intercourse. What kind of sound were you aiming for when you produced this album along with Matt Thorne?

Pearcy: "He goes back to one of the bass players in Ratt actually. I have been working at his studio for quite awhile cuz he handles a lot of the bass arrangements for my projects. I can literally walk out and he will take care of the bass and engineering. We co-produced Fueler. He will be working on my third solo album, in which I will start later in the year when I get back from touring. My first solo album Social Intercourse, was just so chaotic and social. With Fueler I kind of had a cohesive thing going with the drag racing feeling, we took time on it. We had song titles, 'Drive With Me', 'Overdrive', 'Dream Machine'. We had a good thing going. It is colorful, exciting, and dangerous. It is in your face. That is just where I was at. Now these new songs came along. I am like great, now I can throw down those, including 'Novocain,' 'Red Licorice', 'Wide Open' and a couple of other songs."

KNAC.com: Now did you approach Ratt about a reunion on Ratt's 20th Anniversary in 2004?

Pearcy: "I actually did. That frivolous lawsuit was amicably resolved. I got together with the original bass player. I am like ya know it is a good opportunity , it is an anniversary this happened two years ago. I guess they are quite comfortable in their situation. I am in a small business, and I'm way involved with my label now. I been there, done that, and I still appreciate it , and I still enjoy getting out there , but there is bigger fish to fry in the industry. I like the industry, what is left of it. Top Fuel entertainment have songs for movies, songs for commercials, so we are busy. It is all about rock and roll. 99 percent of it is."

KNAC.com: What has the highlight of your career been so far? What are you most proud of as a musician?

Pearcy: "The highlight is I still survived. (Laughter). The ultimate highlight is definitely my first gold and platinum award because , ya know back in the day when Robin and I first got "You Think Your Tuff" on the radio, the first time we heard it, we were like, we have been ready for this for a long time. We knew it was going to go down. We just didn't know it was going to go down as big, and as long as it did. That is when you consider the longevity , and you try to really understand the business. It has disintegrated, and changed so much. The highlights were also the first gold and platinum records. I rehearsed at my parents house and looked down at The Forum, I use to see ZEPPELIN, STONES, AEROSMITH, my favorite bands like BLUE OYSTER CULT. I go man I 'm gonna fuckin play there one day. Sure enough I was sitting there saying , guess what, ya know I am playing here tonight."