“Keep practicing CC‘s solos , Pete!“
— Rikki Rockett / Poison
LOS ANGELES, California — Shots fired is a fitting way to open this article, and we’re guessing these will not be the last.
Poison drummer Rikki Rockett just lit up (no pun intended) Pete Evick of the Bret Michaels Band.
Rockett took to social media this morning and simply wrote: “If Pete Evick thinks that the BMB is carrying the Poison torch, then Pete must be a Bic lighter.”
Rockett then added: “Keep practicing CC‘s solos , Pete!“
Evick was a recent guest on The Hair Metal Guru podcast and spoke at length openly about what he believes to be the dynamic between the Bret Michaels Band and Poison.
Evick who has been playing guitar for Bret Michaels for over 20 years now, shared his thoughts on who he says gets along the best in Poison, and recalls various stories from over his time in the Bret Michaels Band in addition to dealing with the various members of his singer’s other band.
Evick also went on record to say that Michaels takes the ‘lion’s share‘ of the money when Poison performs live.
“The truth of the matter is, he (Bret Michaels) doesn’t split that money four-ways with Poison. He does get the lion’s share of that… because… he’s worked that out in his deal. Because he’s the one carrying the torch”, says Evick.
Fans have been clamoring for more Poison tours over the years but it seems to be a secondary option for the band’s frontman (Bret Michaels) for as long as most can recall.
Michaels is without a doubt the band’s main member when it comes to visibility, appearances, being interactive on social media and more.
Over the years, Poison members Bobby Dall (bass) and C.C. DeVille (guitars) have been far removed from most social media and are rarely involved with anything related other than the tours when they are announced.
Rockett, who has been much more involved and also has been the most out-spoken about the lack of Poison tours and live shows for years, in reality, he has been vocal about this subject for more than a decade.
Back in May of 2025 Metal Sludge covered Rockett going on record to say: “We got a great offer, and to be honest with you, it’s in [POISON frontman] Bret‘s [Michaels] lap right now — honestly.”
There has been little chatter regarding Poison going on tour next year and now a full 6 months since that statement, there is no confirmation of dates for the group in 2026.
Metal Sludge has heard from various industry sources in recent weeks that this very subject – money and the rumored splits amongst members – just might be the make or break for Poison‘s rumored 40th Anniversary tour that has been talked about for next summer in 2026.
In August of 2024 Metal Sludge ran an article: “TROUBLE BREWING – Rikki Rockett: “If Poison didn’t tour in 2025, what do you think the reason would be?”, which seems to point at Michaels as the reason why the group did not tour in 2025.
A full decade ago in October of 2015 Rockett said the following about Michaels and their band Poison: “Bret hasn’t really wanted to work with us on an equal basis for quite some time.”
With that, check out Pete Evick‘s full interview on The Hair Metal Guru podcast below.
Read more articles about Rikki Rockett and Poison as found on Metal Sludge.
June 7th 2024 > POISON … Read Rikki Rockett’s Letter to Pearl Drums from 1986 with Resume Included; “I Know In My Heart We Are Going To Be Huge”
January 29th 2024 > YOU ARE UNDER ARREST … Metal Sludge’s Top 10 Rock Stars who wore a Service Hat
December 25th 2023 > SIN CITY BABY … VEGAS ROCKS! AWARDS Show set for Jan. 21st 2024 with Rikki Rockett, Rick Nielsen and Kip Winger to perform live
June 26th 2022 > DIFFICULT DEVILLE … Tom Werman says C.C. DeVille was ‘Very Difficult’ when producing the Poison release “Open Up and Say… Ahh!”
June 3rd 2022 > UNSHAVEN BOP … C.C. DeVille of Poison shares new photo on Instagram which has him looking more like Grizzly Adams than a Rock Star
April 14th 2022 > NAME GAMES … Angel City Devils announce Las Vegas show… No, not the Devil City Angels, but the Angel City Devils >Rikki Rockett Reacts<
February 17th 2022 > IT’S ON FOR 2022 … The Stadium Tour with Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett adds 5 New Dates
July 14th 2021 > ALL VACCINATED BUT … Members of Buckcherry, Foo Fighters and Poison’s Rikki Rockett are Vaccinated but have Now Tested Positive for COVID-19
April 14th 2021 > THE FINAL BEATDOWN … Europe guitarist Kee Marcello says: “I regret that I didn’t drag Bret Michaels and C.C. DeVille’s sorry asses to court”
January 15th 2021 > NEW! … Nothin’ But A Good Time – The Uncensored History of the ‘80s Hard Rock Explosion drops March 16th
Stay tuned to Metal Sludge for more Breaking News, Updates and Features along with New Interviews and Classic 20 Questions.