Former Quiet Riot frontman Seann Nicols (a.k.a. Sheldon Tarsha) spoke to “The Classic Metal Show” about his experience of singing for Bobby Blotzer‘s RATT for a one off show in 2017.
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“It was easy,” Seann said (hear audio below). “There was no contract to sign. I literally just packed my bags and [went] on a fun trip with a bunch of great musicians and [got] to do something really fun, singing songs that I love. So it was easy for me. And I didn’t see it as putting me back at all — I looked at it as a good experience, a fun way to spend my time and expand my horizons. Now, obviously, [laughs] the deeper I got into the situation, I started seeing some serious warning signs, and Bobby is not above board — period. He’s not. He’s full of shit. He’s full of shit — let’s just face the reality here.”
Referring to the fact that Blotzer has been embroiled in a legal battle with the other members of the classic RATT lineup over the rights to the band’s name, Nicols continued: “I’m looking at legal documentation that [Bobby is] sending me over — all these legal documents. He’s, like, ‘Dude, this is real. I own the [RATT] trademark. This is my band. These guys walked away from it. They dropped the ball.’ He goes, ‘I took the band as a business and I built it back up to generate a lot of money.
I pay my guys well.’ And that’s one thing I’ll say about Bobby — he definitely paid me, and he paid me double what Frankie [Banali] paid me. So thumbs up for that — that was cool. He definitely treats his musicians well on a business level, but on a personal level, the guy’s all over the place. I can’t get along with him; he’s weird. He’s accused me of not being a good friend and talking all weird. It’s just too much drama, dude. So I realized it wasn’t gonna work on a personal level with him either.”
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Despite the fact that he is unlikely to play with Bobby in a band situation again, Seann said that he doesn’t bear any ill will toward the RATT drummer. “As crazy as he is, he is a part of an old era,” Nicols said. “And the way that he acts makes sense for where he came from and what he’s been through. So I don’t wish him anything negative. I think he is an important part of music history, and he was a part of bringing so many songs that me and so many other people around the world love. And I have to love him for that. But working with him and getting along with him at this point in time, it’s not good for me.”