Drummer BOBBY BLOTZER: 'I Regard The Band RATT As A National Treasure'

RATT drummer Bobby Blotzer has released the following statement:

"I've been getting a lot of mixed feedback from RATT fans regarding my comments on Facebook, and I wanted to take a moment to clarify my position and hopefully provide some valuable perspective.

"Let me first say that I regard the band RATT as a national treasure and something I feel privileged to be a part of for 30 years. I feel like we create great music, and bring a signature sound different from other bands out there keeping rock and roll alive. It is my love for all things RATT that makes delays in touring, and creating music that much more frustrating.

"It's no secret that keeping a band together for 30 years is a tall order to fill. We met 30 years ago, and despite spending the majority of our lives on stage together, we do evolve into different people with different wants and needs in life.

"The last decade of RATT has been a collection of stop and starts. Given my love for the fans and music, it's been hard to wake up everyday not knowing if we were going to make another album or at least at a minimum tour the old catalog next to our fellow rockers.

"I am extremely proud of our new album, 'Infestation'. It was great getting back with my fellow Pi RATTs and finding out that our magic is still there. I want to continue. I want to make more music. I want to hang with the fans.

"For the first time in 29 years, I avoided attending NAMM. With a book to promote and fans that I love to shake hands with, this was a tough decision to make. I skipped this event for one reason, I couldn't bring myself to gloss over the fact that at the time of NAMM, I didn't know whether or not RATT was going to tour or make new music. I can't bring myself to lie about what I don't know. I apologize to those of you I missed.

"As of this moment, some members of the band have chosen to decide that they will choose whether or not we, RATT, tour. What I'm personally trying to do 24/7 is get the decision made so we can start to schedule tour dates, perhaps make another new album, and get back out on the road keeping RATT alive. RATT, for me, always comes first. Even with my entrepreneurial aspirations, it's RATT, baby!

"Currently there are a lot of messages coming out of areas of the Internet that don't have all the information, but in their own frustration are trying to find a person to place the blame. I understand since I threw out the first volley of my own frustration, I drew in a lot of misunderstanding and speculation on my own actions.

"I want you to know that I simply want RATT to continue year in and year out making great music and celebrating rock and roll with our fans.

"Regardless of any drama, know that RATT is alive and well. We're just trying to figure out which flavor to frost the cake with!"

"Infestation", the first studio record in 11 years from RATT, 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 released on April 20, 2010 via Loud & Proud.

"Infestation" was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette (CHEVELLE, ALTER BRIDGE) at his Virginia studio, marking the first time the band has recorded outside of Los Angeles. The album is full of attitude and of reflection, cycling through a range of emotions. There are party anthems that RATT are known for alongside more contemplative, thoughtful tunes.