Ratt

RATT's roots trace back to the LA metal underground in the late 70s, when Stephen Pearcy and Robbin Crosby led a club-ready outfit that began as Mickey Ratt and eventually became RATT in the early 80s. The band added Warren DeMartini, Juan Croucier, and Bobby Blotzer and quickly rose to prominence with their debut in 1983 and soared to new heights with Out of the Cellar in 1984, an album that defined a rebellious, hook-laden strand of glam metal and helped put Los Angeles on the global rock map. With catchy choruses and a catalog of radio-friendly anthems, RATT carved out a sound that balanced bluesy grit with polished melodies.

RATT's two-guitar attack—pealing harmonies from DeMartini and Crosby—became its signature, pairing razor-sharp leads with blues-based riffs. The band fused power-chord bombast with melodic hooks, driving rhythms from Blotzer, and a strong bass foundation from Croucier to create an energetic live show. Signature tracks like Round and Round and Lay It Down became staples on MTV and radio, while songs like You're In Love, Lack Of Communication, and Way Cool Jr showcased their knack for memorable melodies and dynamic solos. Across the 1984-1990 period, Out of the Cellar, Invasion of Your Privacy, and Detonator cemented RATT as one of the era's defining hard rock acts, influencing countless guitarists.

Over the years, lineup shifts and hiatuses punctuated their career, but the band's impact endures. RATT's twin-lead approach and economical, blues-tinged riffs helped shape the sound and look of 1980s rock, inviting players to learn tight rhythm parts, precise palm muting, and soaring harmonized solos. For guitarists, digging into RATT's catalog — especially the sample songs used on DadRock Tabs — builds fundamentals in phrasing, timing, and technique while delivering the gratification of playing classic anthems that defined an era.