A big night for this Ratt pack
Amy Elfman took a deep breath and smiled nervously. Wearing a denim skirt, tight leopard-print top, and plenty of eyeliner, Elfman was rehearsing what she might say to Stephen Pearcy.
"I've loved Stephen for god knows how long," Elfman said, seated with two girlfriends in a booth at the Commonwealth Restaurant in Quincy Thursday. "I'm not drinking because I want to remember this night."
Pearcy, of course, is the lead singer of Ratt, the '80s metal band that sold more than 20 million albums in its heyday. Though out of fashion for much of the past two decades, Ratt is enjoying a minor revival these days thanks to the movie "The Wrestler," which features the band's long-ago hit, "Round and Round," in a pivotal bar scene between the washed-up professional wrestler played by Mickey Rourke and the aging stripper played by Marisa Tomei.
At 52, Pearcy is the rock 'n' roll equivalent of Rourke's character. He's still got the swagger - clad in black, he was chain-smoking and swilling Jack Daniels - but a big star he is not. Pearcy, whose howl once played to packed arenas, drew less than 50 people in Quincy. Before the show, he and the band had to huddle in a cramped, brightly lit office above the restaurant.
"It doesn't get more real than this," said Pearcy.
As he waits for Ratt to begin work on a new record - their first since 1999 - Pearcy is on the road with a crew of musicians borrowed from other bands, including W.A.S.P. and Papa Roach.
"This isn't Ratt," Pearcy said with a gleeful sneer. "We don't have a set list because we don't [expletive] care."
The singer said he's grateful to director Darren Aronofsky for including "Round and Round" in "The Wrestler," but also revealed he hasn't seen the movie.
"You haven't watched it yet?" said guitarist Mike Duda. "I gave you a copy of it."
"I know," said Pearcy, pouring himself another drink. "But it's cool. I got paid."
Downstairs, Elfman, Cathy Alberts, and Carol Hanson could hardly wait for their headbanging heroes. All three had paid $40 for a VIP ticket that included access to the sound check and a pre-gig meet-and-greet with Pearcy and the band. (The women weren't bothered when Pearcy didn't show up for either.)
"I saw Stephen at Meadowbrook Farm two years ago, and as I passed the stage to go to the bathroom, Stephen saw me and sang to me," said Elfman. "Hopefully, tonight, he'll remember me."
The friends, who were planning to see Pearcy again in Chicopee last night, conceded that while they might look and sound like groupies, they're not.
"That usually entails sleeping with the band," said Alberts, laughing. "OK, if Stephen wants me, I'm not going to say no, but, really, it's not why I'm here."
Is Tom Brady about to become a dad again? RadarOnline.com is breathlessly reporting that supermodel Gisele Bundchen, whom the Pats QB married in February (and again in April), is pregnant with her first child. Reps for the couple had no comment, but a source close to Bundchen, who turns 29 in July, told us she would not be surprised if the report is true. "[Gisele] is good at keeping a secret, but I think this time is a go," said the source. Brady, 31, has a young son, John, with his ex-girlfriend, actress Bridget Moynahan. Brady and Bundchen were the center of attention at a Chamber of Commerce event this week. The next day, Brady skipped the team's voluntary workout.
Spring gala
Pats owners Robert and Myra Kraft were among the 500 or so guests at the Catholic Charities annual Spring Celebration, held the other night at the JFK Library. Ray Tye, philanthropist and former United Liquors CEO, was honored with the Justice and Compassion Award by Cardinal Sean O'Malley.'Office' star on blue eyes, bluegrass, and Boston
Ed Helms, also known as Andy Bernard on "The Office," was at the Ritz in Boston yesterday to promote his new buddy comedy, "The Hangover," which hits theaters June 5. We were the last of about 200 interviews Helms (left) did to hype the film, so he challenged us to ask him something he'd never been asked before. Our question? "When shooting 'The Hangover,' did you ever get lost in costar Bradley Cooper's eyes?' Helms, who was admittedly surprised by the question, quickly answered yes. "His eyes are crazy. It's like a little azure oasis in a desert of beautiful skin tone." Helms added, "To be clear, I'm straight." Helms also took a moment to make it clear that he's not a professional banjo player. He's read some biographies of himself that imply he's a "world-class" banjoist - but really, it's just a hobby. "I can hold my own, but I have friends who are insane banjo players." Helms went on to say that he's a big fan of the Boston bluegrass scene. When he visited his sister in Brookline last Christmas, he spent an evening at the Cantab Lounge to check out a jam session. He's also a devoted follower of the local act Crooked Still. "Those guys are . . . insane." Helms knows plenty about music and life in these parts. Not only is his sister a local, most of his "Office" castmates (including Mindy Kaling, B.J. Novak, and Steve Carell) have Boston roots. Helms said they bring a nice "Yankee smugness" to "The Office" set. That said, Helms was quick to make it clear that his favorite Bay-State-bred pal is Rob Corddry. The two worked together when Helms was a correspondent on "The Daily Show."Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253. 