Concert Reports

Stephen Pearcy from Ratt rocks The California Mid State Fair in Paso Robles ! 80's singer brought all the hits to the Fair's Frontier Stage on July17

All Photos: Ray Soto / Central Coast Rocks

OfficialStephenPearcy.com

MidStateFair.com

“Out On the Streets, That’s Where we’ll Meet.” Generations of music fans from all over the world recognize these opening words to one of the most iconic songs from the 80’s that still resonates to this day. Stephen Pearcy, the lead singer of Ratt hit the frontier stage at The California Mid State Fair on July 17th to a packed house, bringing his unique style that borders on debauchery and sleaze. The rocker concentrated on hits from the 80’s that held the crowd captive and engaged.

Pearcy, who still has the Rockstar look prowled the stage like a stray cat from the back alleys of the Sunset Strip, showcasing swagger and charisma that can only come from a seasoned front man who has played big stages throughout the world. Opening with Ratt’s “Wanted man,” the first track from the breakout album “Out of The Cellar,” the band then tore through most of the scorching tracks that made the album multi platinum and propelled Ratt into arenas for much of the 80’s.

Ratt Classics “Lay It Down,” “Back for More,” and “Round and Round,” followed to the longtime fan’s delight but also seemed to make an impact on the younger people in attendance, which shows just how much the music from the 80’s still holds up and impacts future generations.

Pearcy’s backing band consists of seasoned musicians who recreate the classic Ratt sound well, and the guys seem to have a good chemistry. Erik Ferentinos (Guitar) – A longtime collaborator, Ferentinos has been with Pearcy for years, playing lead guitar and co-writing some of his solo material. Johnny Monaco (Guitar) – Former Enuff Z’Nuff guitarist who has played with Pearcy in recent tours. Matt Thorr (Bass) – Has played bass for Pearcy’s band at various times, also known for his work with Rough Cutt, and Blas Elias (Drums) – A working man’s drummer who has played with Slaughter and Trans-siberian Orchestra make up the band.

A Stephen Pearcy concert is a must-see for Ratt fans and ’80s metal lovers alike. The night is a fun, energetic evening of melodic rock that has you singing along to every song.

As the founder, lead singer, and songwriter of the metal rock band RATT, Stephen Pearcy led his creation to Mega Multi-Platinum Success Year after Year from 1984 - 1991. Capturing critical acclaim for his performances, style, and uniquely salacious vocals. Pearcy formed RATT in Los Angeles in 1982 from his previous band Mickey RATT. Known for their overtly sexual appearance, rebellious attitude, and take no prisoner approach to metal, Atlantic Records recognized RATT’s potential and star power thus signing the band to a contract resulting in the 1984 album “Out of the Cellar”, which became one of many multi-platinum successes. RATT climbed up the charts with singles from “Out of the Cellar”, soaring past Prince’s “Lets Go Crazy”, Van Halen’s “Panama”, Madonna’s “Borderline” and David Bowies “Blue Jean”.

The record generated top ten singles followed by sold out tours throughout the world. This momentum remained with every proceeding RATT album to include their most recent release of “Infestation” in 2010. Their last recording from that time in 1991 is Ratt “81-91″ of which marked the end of an era, and to the chagrin of many die hard metal fans who seemingly could never get enough of Pearcy, it seemed to mark the end to a self-proclaimed “dynasty of rough & tough metal” that ruled the better part of the 80s.

Throughout RATT’s nearly four decades of success with Pearcy at its helm, they released 8 albums and played thousands of shows worldwide all the while selling over 20 million records.

In 1992 Pearcy explored other areas of interest and created Arcade with Cinderella’s drummer, Fred Coury. With the release of his first solo debut in 2002, “Social Intercourse”, and 20 CDs to his credit, he continued to record and tour vigorously to the delight of a new emerging fan base of metal fans.

Added to his list of achievements is 2002’s Cult Horror Classic, “Camp Utopia” with Pearcy playing the notorious camp slasher and cult leader, Timothy Bach.

RATT & Mickey RATT songs are featured regularly in film & TV; Point Break, Weird Science, The Golden Child, Academy Award winning movie “The Wrestler”, Emmy Award winning Stranger Things, Wicked City, Cobra Kai, The Goldbergs, Young Sheldon...

Pearcy’s continued exploration away from music is as a New York Times Best Selling Author, “SEX, DRUGS, RATT ‘n’ ROLL… My Life in Rock” by Stephen Pearcy. Hailed as “A jaw-dropping tell-all from the lead singer of the 1980s supergroup Ratt: the groupies, the trashed hotel rooms, the drugs—and just how much you can get away with when you’re one of the biggest hair metal stars of all time.”

2020, "Year of the Rat", started in a positive direction with RATT landing a Geico Insurance commercial that would introduce RATT to a whole new breed of fans with the catch phrase "We have a RATT Problem", seen by over 15 million viewers in its first 2 weeks on air, RATT's "Round and Round" re-charted on Billboards Top Ten Hard Rock Digital Song Sales and a New found fanbase was born.

Today Pearcy heads Top Fuel Entertainment and www.VAMIEE.com, his newest partnership that has revolutionized live entertainments reach to their audience. He continues to write, record and produce new music. As well as, perform in his own solo band!

The Pearcy legacy is here to stay. His fans are loyal and always wanting more of him…after all, he is the original “Wanted Man”.

The 2025 California Mid-State Fair runs July 16 through July 27, and this year’s theme is “Off to the Races!”
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