Stephen Pearcy

  Live –  Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, April 29th, 2016

 The Rockpile

Back in 1983 at 12 years old I finally found my preference in music. The days of listening to my parent’s music and pop music in the early 80’s came to an end. Once I put on the Defenders Of The faith LP by Judas Priest I was hooked. “Love Bites” had me addicted to a new form of music. From there it was KISS, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Def Leppard and so many hair bands. Ratt was a band that I have been a fan of since their 1st full-length album in 1984. I was able to see them twice but unfortunately without their original singer. Friday, April 29, 2016, was a packed house at The Rockpile and I finally got to see Stephen Pearcy, the original lead singer of Ratt.

Keeping with the hits of Ratt, he left out all his other material. Tonight it was all about Pearcy and forgetting all the controversy surrounding the former Ratt band members. I have been waiting to finally hear these songs sung by the one true Ratt vocalist. Pearcy had the crowd singing along right from the intro of the opening track “Wanted Man”. Throughout the show, he conversed with the crowd as he continued to go through the early tracks of Ratt. Hard to pick a highlight since I knew each song like I was back in the 80’s. I was happily surprised with “Givin’ Yourself Away” from the 1990 album Detonator. Closing out the set was the crowd favourite “Round and Round”.  Playing for 1 hour and 15 minutes was not long enough but the band had to get down to the M3 Festival in Baltimore the next day. The band features Greg D’Angelo – drums (originally from White Lion), Erik Ferentinos – guitar, Matt Thorne – bass (Rough Cutt) and Chris Hager – guitar (also from Rough Cutt). Pearcy sounded great and didn’t disappoint. I have lots of memories watching all their videos back in the day. The band was right on key and it was great to see D’Angelo on drums who I saw with White Lion back in the 80’s at Toronto’s CNE Grandstand with Tangier and Cinderella.

Looking forward to seeing Stephen Pearcy and his band play in October at Rock N Skull Festival.

Shawn “Animalize” Irwin

Live Concert Photos by: Shawn “Animalize” Irwin

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Set List

1 – Wanted Man

2 – Drive me crazy

3 – Dangerous but Worth The Risk

4 – You Think You’re Tough

5 – Way Cool Jr.

6 – Givin’ Yourself Away

7 – Slip Of The Lip

8 – I’m Insane

9 – You’re In love

10 – Lay It Down

11 – Lack Of Communication

12 – U Got It

13 – Back For More

14 – Round And Round