The original version of Ruze formed in Struthers, Ohio in 1988. The lineup featured Randy Wiscott (Randall J) on guitar and vocals, David Rouzzo (T. Rouz) on vocals, Mike Rouzzo (Stickman) on drums and vocals, and Gregg Duffy (Duff) on bass and vocals.
Randy and David were childhood friends who shared a love of music, while brothers David and Mike had previously played together in an earlier band called The Lampshades. Duffy later joined the lineup, and the four musicians quickly developed a strong chemistry centered around original music, rehearsals, and live performances throughout the Youngstown area.
By the early 1990s, Ruze had evolved from a local basement-band project into a tighter live act with a spectacular stage show.
Unlike many local bands at the time, Ruze focused heavily on original material while still mixing in hard rock and metal covers. Original songs from the early years included Diamonds and Roses, Troubled World, and Going Back In Time.
The band also performed covers from groups including Kiss, Motley Crue, and Tesla, drawing influence from the late-1980s hard rock and metal scene.
During the band's early years, Ruze played local venues including JB's Lounge on Glenwood Avenue in Youngstown and Rumours in Austintown, Ohio, along with parties and smaller local shows throughout Northeast Ohio.
Most rehearsals took place in Struthers, where the band spent countless nights writing songs, practicing, and building the sound that would define the first era of Ruze.
Many other friends and family supported the band in so many ways during this time. Pete Febinger cowrote some of the band's earliest material, JoLo managed the band, Smitty provided pyrotechnics, Uncle Bob was in charge of security and good times, Mike Miller managed graphic design and t-shirts and we had a great roadie crew.
After the first version of Ruze, Mike left the band to pursue a solo career. The band continued with Randy Wiscott on guitar and vocals, David on vocals, and Gregg Duffy on bass and vocals.
Ruze then added Mark Leonard, a well-known Struthers drummer, and Curt Hess, a friend of Randy and David, on lead guitar. Curt's leads and Mark's percussion gave Ruze a bigger, fuller sound allowing the band to explore new ideas and material.
Original songs from the Ruze 2.0 era included All Shot Up, Ruze Attitude Song, and Too Far Away.
The band also performed covers from groups including Cinderella, BulletBoys, Led Zeppelin, and Sammy Hagar.
The primary venue for this version of Ruze was RJ's in Youngstown, Ohio, where the band continued playing for local crowds during the early 1990s.
By 1993, the members of Ruze had gone their separate ways. The musical landscape had changed dramatically during the early 1990s, but more importantly, life itself had changed for the band members.
In 1995, brothers David and Mike revived Ruze with a new lineup that included high school friends Brian Grafton on guitar and vocals and Joe Johnson on bass and vocals.
Unlike the earlier versions of Ruze, the third incarnation of the band focused entirely on cover music and developed a diverse and eclectic setlist that pulled from multiple decades and styles of rock music.
The band performed everything from Alice Cooper to Soft Cell, creating a live show that blended classic rock, hard rock, dance rock, and mainstream rock favorites for local crowds throughout Northeast Ohio.
During this era, Ruze performed regularly at venues including The Ice House Inn in Mineral Ridge, Ohio, The Bond in Girard, Ohio, Tiffany's in Boardman, Ohio, and many other bars and clubs throughout the Youngstown area.
This version of Ruze enjoyed a successful run throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s before eventually dissolving in 2003, bringing an end to nearly sixteen years of music, rehearsals, road trips, late nights loading out, and amazing live performances.