Bret Michaels’ guitarist Pete Evick recently addressed his ongoing feud with Poison drummer Rikki Rockett. He offered an apology for his previous comments about the band’s business matters in a statement shared on Border City Rock Talk.
Evick’s statement focused on clarifying his relationship with Rockett. He acknowledged where he may have overstepped boundaries in previous public comments.
“Rikki’s wonderful to me in person. Me and him, we both are very vocal about our opinions and sometimes me and him disagree. I don’t know that we even disagree a lot of things. Sometimes he thinks I speak out of turn and I understand I respect and I apologize to him,” Evick said.
The guitarist explained that confusion arose from mixing discussions about different business ventures.
“Sometimes it sounds like I’m talking about Poison business and in my brain I’m talking about Bret Michaels’ business. And I understand that’s a fine line. And I crossed that line. That’s what started all of this. I shouldn’t have said a couple things, but I didn’t say anything negative and I didn’t say anything bad and I didn’t bash anybody,” he continued.
Evick also addressed criticism regarding the solo band’s financial arrangements.
“I said some things that I don’t think looking back I should have. I get real defensive about the solo band when the fans start saying that Bret does the solo band because he doesn’t have to pay us a lot. I have very thick skin. Anyone can say anything they want about me. I just don’t care,” he added.
The feud appears to have stemmed from Evick’s previous comments about Poison’s financial structure and Bret Michaels’ role in the band.
This latest controversy highlights the complex dynamics within one of rock’s most enduring bands. It also shows the challenges of balancing multiple musical ventures.
Pete Evick has served as Poison’s touring guitarist since 2009. He stepped in to replace C.C. DeVille for live performances while DeVille focuses primarily on studio work. This arrangement has allowed the band to maintain their touring schedule while accommodating DeVille’s preferences for recording over live performance. Evick’s dual role extends beyond Poison, as he also performs regularly in Bret Michaels’ solo band. This band emphasizes hits from both Poison’s catalog and Michaels’ solo material.
The tensions between band members have been an ongoing issue for Poison in recent years. As of late 2024, the band remains active but only sporadically, with occasional shows rather than full reunion tours. These internal conflicts, particularly between Rockett and other members, have reportedly delayed plans for more extensive touring and new material. The band’s ability to maintain their legacy while navigating these interpersonal challenges continues to be a significant factor in their operations.
Rikki Rockett has been vocal about his concerns regarding band dynamics and membership in various interviews over the past few years. In previous podcast appearances around 2022, Rockett expressed criticism about certain arrangements within the band structure, particularly regarding touring members versus core band members. These statements have contributed to the ongoing tensions that Evick referenced in his recent apology.
Bret Michaels continues to tour regularly with his solo band, which features Evick as a key member. This solo operation allows Michaels to maintain a consistent performance schedule while working around the complexities of full Poison reunions. The solo shows typically feature a mix of Poison classics and Michaels’ solo work. This provides fans with the familiar hits while giving Michaels creative and business flexibility that differs from the traditional band structure.
