I've Been Everywhere

The song "I've Been Everywhere" by L.A. Rats, featured as a single, is a high-energy cover of a classic country tune originally popularized by Johnny Cash. This rendition, released in 2021, was crafted for the soundtrack of the Netflix film The Ice Road, starring Liam Neeson. Nikki Sixx, one of the band’s members, explained in a statement shared by Blabbermouth that the goal was to retain the fire of Johnny Cash’s version while infusing it with a modern rock edge. Sixx highlighted how he and guitarist John 5 incorporated a Led Zeppelin-inspired half-time intro and added upright bass-style guitar walks, a departure from his usual style in Mötley Crüe or Sixx:A.M. This creative freedom allowed the supergroup to blend their distinct influences, with Rob Zombie’s gritty vocal delivery and Tommy Clufetos’ powerhouse drumming rounding out the track’s raw, road-tripping vibe.

An interesting piece of trivia about the song’s release is the band’s cryptic social media rollout. On May 19, 2021, Rob Zombie, Nikki Sixx, John 5, and Tommy Clufetos simultaneously posted an image of the L.A. Rats wordmark across their personal Instagram and X accounts, creating a buzz among fans before the single dropped the next day. The track’s connection to The Ice Road soundtrack placed it alongside country artists like Tim McGraw and Miranda Lambert, showcasing its crossover appeal. Fans on Facebook noted the song’s infectious energy, with some Zoo Freaks commenting on X that its relentless pace perfectly suits the open-road imagery of the film. The cover pays homage to the song’s history, which dates back to a 1959 original by Australian singer Geoff Mack, later adapted by Hank Snow and Johnny Cash with U.S.-centric place names.

L.A. Rats is a supergroup formed by four rock veterans: Rob Zombie, Nikki Sixx, John 5, and Tommy Clufetos. Rob Zombie, born Robert Cummings, began his career in the mid-1980s as the frontman of White Zombie, a band he co-founded in New York City. Known for its horror-inspired aesthetic and heavy metal sound, White Zombie gained a cult following before hitting mainstream success with their 1992 album La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume One. Zombie’s larger-than-life persona and love for B-movie culture shaped his solo career, launched in 1998 with Hellbilly Deluxe. Nikki Sixx, born Frank Feranna Jr., rose to fame as the bassist and primary songwriter for Mötley Crüe, formed in Los Angeles in 1981. His gritty songwriting and flair for spectacle helped the band become one of the biggest acts of the glam metal era, with albums like Shout at the Devil cementing their legacy.

John 5, born John Lowery, started as a session guitarist in Los Angeles, working with artists like David Lee Roth and k.d. lang before joining Marilyn Manson in 1998, where he honed his theatrical style. He later became Rob Zombie’s guitarist, contributing to Zombie’s signature sound. Tommy Clufetos, the youngest member, began drumming professionally in his teens, eventually touring with Alice Cooper and joining Ozzy Osbourne’s band. His powerhouse style also earned him a spot with Black Sabbath during their final tours. The four musicians came together as L.A. Rats for the The Ice Road project, united by their shared love for classic rock and spontaneous collaboration. Their official website, laratsmusic.com, offers updates on the band, while their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts share behind-the-scenes content and fan interactions.

Fan engagement for L.A. Rats often overlaps with the members’ individual fanbases, given their storied careers. Dedicated fan communities exist for each artist, such as the Mötley Crüe Fan Club on Facebook, which has thousands of members sharing news and memorabilia, and the Rob Zombie Fanatics group, where fans discuss his music and films. On X, Zoo Freaks and other fans frequently tag L.A. Rats in posts praising the song’s raw energy. While no standalone fan websites exist solely for L.A. Rats, sites like robzombie.com and motleycrue.com provide additional context for the band’s origins, making them valuable resources for Zoo Crew listeners diving into the supergroup’s roots.