The anticipation was high for the first of three shows scheduled for this spring with Stephen Pearcy and Warren DeMartini of Ratt, who had not spoken in seven years until their rehearsals a few weeks ago. The doors opened at 6:30 pm, and people filed efficiently through security into the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, unaware that they would soon hear the promise that “we’re gonna try to work on some new music for you.”
Stephen Pearcy & Warren DeMartini – Invasion Celebration
Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville – 5 April 2025
Words And Photography: Jody Wilk
The Mohegan Sun Arena holds 10,000 fans. Once inside for this celebration of 40 years of Invasion Of Your Privacy, the lines for the merch stand were long. The tables were bursting with Invasion Celebration and Pearcy merch, Warren DeMartini t-shirts, and Vixen swag.
Vixen
Opening the night was Vixen, the all-female rock band best known for their hit Edge Of A Broken Heart. Their lineup includes original drummer Roxy Petrucci, Britt Lightning, who has been ripping it up on guitar with them since 2017, Julia Lage on bass and the most recent addition, vocalist Rosa Laricchiuta.
Rosa has been the lead singer of the West Coast Trans-Siberian Orchestra since 2016 and replaced Lorraine Lewis as the lead vocalist of Vixen in 2024. Absent from this show was keyboardist Tyson Leslie, who was on The Cruise To The Edge. Filling in for him was former Vixen keyboardist Chris Fayze.
Vixen opened the set to a thunderous crowd. They kicked it off with Rev It Up, from the 1990 album of the same name. A cover of Jeff Paris’ Charmed Life, which was released on their self-titled debut album, followed that up.
Vixen really know how to have fun on stage, smiling and goofing around with each other while putting on a stellar performance. 
Cruisin’ through the set, as they were on tighter time constraints than most shows, they still had time to get in all of their most popular songs. Cryin’ and Edge Of A Broken Heart were standouts, and a medley including Van Halen’s Running With The Devil, I Want You To Rock Me, and Deep Purple’s Perfect Strangers was epic.
Vixen always put on an enthusiastic, crowd-engaging performance. Britt, Julia, and Rosa were smiling and playing off of each other throughout the set. Roxy kicks ass behind the drum kit, showing her appreciation to the fans in between songs with a wave and smile.
Stephen Pearcy & Warren DeMartini
Next was what the crowd came for. Tonight was the first show that Ratt’s Stephen Pearcy and Warren DeMartini have played together in seven years.
Warren joined Ratt in 1982 when Jake E. Lee was hired by Ozzy Osbourne, and co-write Round And Round, Lay It Down, Dance, and Way Cool Jr. Carlos Cavazo, also playing tonight, was a member of Ratt from 2008-2018 and is also currently a member of King Kobra and Hurricane.
Bassist Matt Thorne co-wrote Back For More and has roots with Ratt back to the early days and currently plays with Stephen’s solo band. Drummer Blas Elias, who is also a part of Stephen’s solo band, rounded out this powerhouse lineup.
“It’s so cool having these guys back together,” Blas said. “It’s gonna be a great time.”
At 8:35 pm, the show kicked off with Wanted Man, and right away, I could tell we were in for a special night of magic having these guys back together.
Stephen Pearcy was looking like a rockstar as usual, wearing his dark sunglasses, bedazzled jacket and leather pants. These guys have not missed a beat since the last time they played together.
The band then reached deep into the archives and played some songs that do not make it to the stage too often. First up was their cover of Aerosmith’s version of the Rufus Thomas song, Walking The Dog, a song that they released on their 1983 self-titled EP.
Some other songs that don’t always make Stephen’s setlist that were played were, In Your Direction, Dangerous But Worth The Risk, Givin’ Yourself Away, and Over The Edge.
I never heard Givin’ Yourself Away until about a year ago on Hair Nation. This is such a great ballad-type song which the fans were happy to sing along. “We got through that one, I think,” Stephen said. I’m not sure if that was because they never play it or that he does not like the song.
Warren and Carlos were killing it on guitar all night while Matt kept the rhythm going on bass. In between live video of the band on the screen behind them was a huge Pearcy * DeMartini logo.
Blas is such a showman on the drums. He’s so fun to watch and photograph, doing tricks non-stop throughout the set. Stephen appeared to be happy to be back on stage with Warren as he went over to him multiple times throughout the show to have him sing together through his microphone. He even put his arm around Warren a few times. Just like old times?
Next, they played my personal favourite Ratt song, Way Cool Jr. followed by a string of fan favourites ending with You’re In Love before coming out for an encore and final song.
Stephen came back out on stage. “We ain’t done yet,” he said. “We want to thank you for coming out tonight. This is the first time me and Warren have played together in years. It feels good! Thank You.”
Ratt Reunion?
“I think you might like this next song. It started off as trouble 40 years ago. Oh, by the way, we’re gonna try to work on some new music for you, Warren and I. Stay tuned. It’s time to go Round And Round. The crowd was on their feet and singing along to probably the most popular Ratt song.
Connecticut and Mohegan Sun Arena were lucky to be the first to experience the closest thing to a Ratt reunion that we will probably ever see.
The next shows with this lineup are 4 May at the M3 Music Festival and 26 July at Beaver Dam, KY, for Rock The Dam. Rumours have it that more shows may be in the works.
You can also catch Stephen Pearcy with his solo band at some festivals and other dates this summer. Also, Stephen will be performing with Bret Michaels and Vince Neil at The Iconic Voices Of Rock over several dates in the northeastern United States from 1-3 August.
