Friday 4th August
Ruts DC
£14/£16 [+ 10% booking fee]
Doors open 8pm
Ruts DC were formed in 1980 by guitarist Paul Fox, bassist John ‘Segs’ Jennings and drummer David Ruffy. With vocalist Malcolm Owen they had previously been The Ruts, one of the best-loved bands of the punk rock era, releasing several fine singles (including ‘Babylon’s Burning’ which earned them a silver disc) and two much-acclaimed albums ‘The Crack’ and ‘Grin And Bear It’. Musically they were always more ambitious than many of their contemporaries, mixing reggae and rock in a manner that still influences musicians today; lyrically they reflected their uncompromising support for causes such as Rock Against Racism.
Following Malcolm’s untimely death the three musicians regrouped, adding the musical term D.C. (from the Latin for ‘from the beginning’) to the name. Despite critical acclaim the band folded in 1983, although on the 16th of July 2007 The Ruts played together one more time when with U.S. punk hero Henry Rollins on vocals Paul, Segs and Dave reunited for an emotional performanceat the Islington Academy. With Paul suffering from incurable lung cancer it was an evening which also featured many of their punk contemporaries and which will live long in the memories of all who were there. In the interim years Segs and Dave have worked separately and together with some of the biggest names in the music industry.
In 2010 they got together to write Rhythm Collision Vol.2 then in 2011 Ruts DC returned to the stage. Now, in 2016, Segs handles the lead vocal / frontman duties with panache and respect while Ruffy sings backing vocals as well as holding down the perfect beat. Sounding fresh and with the songs still proving to carry an important message in these current times.
Bookings are not currently available for this event.