Stephen Pearcy concert review: Former Ratt singer celebrates 40th anniversary of 'Out of the Cellar' album in Pittsburgh show

Stephen Pearcy, the former lead singer of Ratt, is touring to mark the 40th anniversary of the glam metal band’s landmark album, “Out of the Cellar.”

With hits like “Round and Round,” “Back for More” and “Wanted Man,” the band’s debut studio album went triple platinum and later launched the band into arena tours. (A few months after the album release, Ratt played Pittsburgh’s Stanley Theatre (now the Benedum Center) on May 3, 1984. And just a few months later, they were back with Billy Squier at the Civic Arena.)

To celebrate the album, Pearcy and his solo band played a 75-minute set Thursday night at Jergel’s in Warrendale. The 68-year-old hit the stage clad all in black leather, with a mesh shirt and aviator sunglasses, as the band kicked off with “Wanted Man.”

They played “Out of the Cellar” in its entirety, in order, much to the chagrin of Pearcy. With “Round and Round” third on the album, he gave the crowd the option to hear it where it originally sat or save it for later to end the night with the rest of Ratt’s hits. Choosing instant gratification, the crowd wanted it early.

“You wanted it first … all right,” Pearcy said as the band launched into Ratt’s biggest hit.

Some of the songs from the album haven’t been mainstays in the band’s setlist over the years, as Pearcy lamented after “She Wants Money.”

“I told ya I didn’t remember the (expletive) words,” Pearcy said with a smile.

More @StephenEPearcy celebrating 40 years of “Out of the Cellar” at @jergels pic.twitter.com/2QPNwg6zkJ

— Mike Palm (@MikePalmMedia) July 19, 2024

Pearcy was in motion all night, striding the stage and leaning on people in the front row to reach further into the crowd. His distinctive, raspy voice obviously isn’t as strong as it was in the 1980s, but it didn’t appear anyone minded.

“Forty years later, the party’s still going, at least for me,” Pearcy said. “Not sure about some other ’80s guys.”

His band — guitarists Erik Ferentinos and Johnny Monaco, bassist Matt Thorne and drummer Blas Elias — shined, with Ferentinos and Monaco ably handling the parts made famous by Ratt’s Warren DeMartini and the late Robbin Crosby.

With “Out of the Cellar” completed, Pearcy and his band turned to Ratt’s other top songs to close the night.

First came “Slip of the Lip” from 1986’s “Dancing Undercover” followed by “Nobody Rides for Free” from the “Point Break” soundtrack in 1991.

Closing the night were “You’re in Love” and “Lay It Down,” both from 1985’s double-platinum “Invasion of Your Privacy.” And it wouldn’t be surprising to see Pearcy “Back for More” in the area next year, as he’s already announced plans for an anniversary tour to celebrate 40 years of “Invasion of Your Privacy.”

More @StephenEPearcy celebrating 40 years of “Out of the Cellar” at @jergels pic.twitter.com/2QPNwg6zkJ

— Mike Palm (@MikePalmMedia) July 19, 2024

Pittsburgh’s Royal Honey set the stage for Pearcy, with a half hour of gritty rock ‘n’ roll, dripping with swagger and attitude.

Pittsburgh’s Royal Honey opening for @StephenEPearcy at @jergels pic.twitter.com/IKQapqpFba

— Mike Palm (@MikePalmMedia) July 19, 2024

Johnstown’s Inside Out — a family act with singer Tim Frick, his son Patrick Frick on guitar and Tim’s brother, Ben, on drums — started off the show with 30 minutes of hard-charging rock/metal.

Johnstown’s Inside Out opening for @StephenEPearcy at @jergels + a look at the merch pic.twitter.com/vwiGalg9GF

— Mike Palm (@MikePalmMedia) July 19, 2024