Then and Now #2

RATT was one of those bands I never listened to. My best memory of the band is a poster that hung proudly in the bedroom of one of my friends in 7th grade. In fact, this particular snapshot in my mind contains other bands like Twisted Sister, Poison, and Slaughter to name a few. That’s because my friend’s wall was plastered with metal band posters and WWF wrestlers. So, to some extent, RATT is a part of my past just as they are for most of us who grew up in the 80’s. Which leaves me with the question, “What ever happened to RATT?” Well, I’ll tell you.
RATT formed in 1982 in San Diego, CA. They were a glam metal band (see picture) most notable for their hits “Round and Round”, “Wanted Man”, “Lay It Down”, “You're in Love” and “Way Cool Jr.” They sold approximately 30 million records worldwide. 2 of the big ones were Out of the Cellar and Invasion of Your Privacy. When alt-rock hit the scene in the early 90’s, RATT crawled back into the cellar for several years. They endured 2 re-unions (albeit incomplete), one in ’96 and one in ’06.
“So what are they doing now?” you ask. Why, they’re on tour of course. Have you ever seen what a rat can endure and still survive? It can swim for 3 days and live, be flushed down a toilet and come out alive, squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter, survive a several story fall, and endure the boy-band era unscathed. RATT is back baby and they’re selling more t-shirts and throwback concert DVD’s than you know what to do with.