BOBBY BLOTZER On STEPHEN PEARCY's Exit: 'RATT Is Bigger Than The Sum Of The Parts'

RATT drummer Bobby Blotzer has released the following statement regarding singer Stephen Pearcy's announcement earlier today that he was quitting the band:

"To our/my RATT fans and friends... I will say to you guys, I am sorry that I brought you guys into our personal world and turbulation.

"I've been so personally driven to a breaking point with our band being held hostage every year that I've kind of been snapping.

"I wish we were still all four together and doing business as great as we have been doing. Especially last year. This is why it's so nonsensical to me to have this disruption in a business we've built for the last 33 years.

"Reality sits at, Stephen and I have gotten along since his return in '07. Aside from the fact that he basically quits every year. It's been hard to deal with.

"I feel bad that I might have put a dividing line out here, and for that I'm feeling bad about and I, to a certain level, feel the need to apologize to YOU, guys. My words were true, but the words should have stayed in my mind. And again, I state that I was only kidding about this picture thing with Steve, dumb joke.

"You ever done that? Exactly.

"When this news popped today, my phone was blowing up all day while I was trying to enjoy an afternoon with friends and I just lost it. I was going to come home and tear into that release line by line. I read your thoughts and realized that it's time to shut the fuck up. As hard as that feels, because we, the four other guys in this band, did nothing to merit this whole behavior from Stephen.

"Thanks for understanding. You guys know I, we love you so much. RATT is my life and I'll live and die fighting for the mothership.

"My Facebook is going bye-bye here soon. So, look to see what happens in a short time...

"RATT is bigger than the sum of the parts!"

RATT recently canceled its appearance on the Monsters Of Rock cruise due to the death of Stephen Pearcy's sister.

Blotzer was slated to sit out the band's appearance at the Monsters Of Rock cruise because he had not yet fully recovered from the neck surgery he underwent last October. Filling in for him once again was supposed to be Jimmy DeGrasso, who has previously played with Y&T, WHITE LION and MEGADETH, among others.

Blotzer previously missed three RATT shows in January. All three dates were played with DeGrasso behind the kit.

RATT's first studio record in 11 years, "Infestation", sold around 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 30 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was issued on April 20, 2010 via Loud & Proud.