Since 1980 the Ritz has always been synonymous with the "big rock show"— big hair, big amplifiers, big sound and acres of rock 'n' roll attitude!For many with fond memories of the original Ritz in Roseville, you'll be happy to know that the new location has not mellowed with age.
Original owner Joe Sgroi sold the Roseville property (Frazho at Gratiot) in 1997 to Kmart. He subsequently took a break from the business for a few years but got back into it by orchestrating the various incarnations of the plain, one-story building that now houses the Ritz in Warren.
The large, long but fairly unassuming structure on Hoover has operated under several names, such as New York New York, Limelight, Hot Rock, Hoover Roadhouse and the Rhinestone Cowboy.
Ultimately, working in a live music environment has always been Sgroi's forte and it was a natural for him to return, in essence, to where it all started.
"I love rock 'n' roll and I like to see people make it," Sgroi said. "We're trying to pick up where we left off with some of the '80s bands, but we're bringing in the new ones, too. I've been out of the scene for a while, but I'm getting back into it and I'm working with Doug Podell from WRIF. He has a finger on the pulse of what's happening."
I arrived on a Thursday night to a parking lot that was filled to capacity. I joined the fray of spill-over patrons by parking across the street, and then entered the club catching local act Concrete Groove's ultrametallic assault in full effect.
The Ritz is 12,000 square feet with a rather plain interior, except for the celebrity autographed guitars on the walls and the exotic animal print double bass drums, suspended from the ceiling near the front of the club.
There is a rear bar and a large circular one, as well, with comfortable booths all around and a number of strategically placed TVs providing a break from the live action.
Other diversions include a jukebox, four pool tables, two electronic dart games, Club Keno and, no doubt in keeping with the tradition of the original Ritz, one of those carnival midway machines where you try to snag a stuffed animal with a mini-crane.
My experience in most rock music establishments has consisted of sucking down a cold beer with maybe some potato chips, peanuts or, lo and behold, some greasy french fries to go with it. Sgroi and his culinary staff up the ante by offering a full menu until 2 a.m. daily. You can dine on everything from burgers to pizza to steaks while imbibing inexpensive mixed drinks, beers and enjoying nightly specials.
The mixed crowd of casually dressed 20 to 30-somethings maintained a friendly relaxed vibe as they welcomed the other local band, Empty, and national upstarts Psychostick and Bobaflex. Psychostick sort of came across like a nu-metal frat band, supporting its emerging radio hit "The Beer Song," while Bobaflex brought the experience of being on Megadeth's Gigantour to the grand stage.
"We're fully equipped to do bands and we do three or four a night, so everybody gets a chance to play," Sgroi said. "I think the timing is right for live music right now. There's so many bands that want to play and I've got a book full of them. If you look on our MySpace page or our Web site, people are contacting us about playing here all the time."
They've got a full schedule of events booked through November, featuring a myriad of local and regional acts along with L.A. Guns/Bullet Boys, Nov. 3; Jimmie Van Zant, Nov. 4; Stephen Pearcy (formerly of Ratt), Nov. 5; and Skid Row/Kings X, Nov. 18.
"I have a passion for music so I give that back to the bands," said Beth Ocelnik who, along with partner Skot Roski, books talent for the club. "I always make sure that they're taken care of 100 percent. I want them to have an enjoyable experience here and come back."
The Ritz, 24300 Hoover, Warren, can be reached at 586.756.6140 or http://theritzrocks.tripod.com.
It has live entertainment Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with Sundays an all-ages showcase.
ContactEric Harabadian at Harab1@comcast.net.
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