Pint of stella
11-28-2006, 05:15 PM
Ok a lesser known band on this site. But along with the Clash were one of the first bands to mix punk and ska.
Formed by Paul Fox (guitar) and Dave Ruffy (drums), who were both in local pub bands in London. Malcolm Owen soon joined on vocals and John Jennings joined on bass. All members were influenced by reggae and the growing punk movement in the late 1970s. The played in the Rock Against Racsim concert and took a strong anti-racist stance. Their debut single "In A Rut" was released in 1978 on the indie label People Unite.
Later they signed to Virgin records and released the single "Babylon's Burning" Which reached the U.K.'s top ten, sky-rocketing their fan-base. The Crack was their debut album and had a range of catchy punk and ska songs. The songs were mostly about the present political situation in late 1970's Britain. Such as police control, rascism and violence.
1980 witnessed the release of 2 more excelent singles in the form of "Staring At The Rude Boys" and "West One (Shine On Me)".
However the bands career was cut dramatically short by the death of vocalist Malcolm Owen. Who died of a heroine overdose.(Ironically after condeming the drug in the song "H-Eyes"). Without his charismatic voice the band went into decline. They re-surfaced as The Ruts DC and released two albums that attracted little attention. It is certain if Owen hadn't died the band would have released several more top notch albums. The compilation Grin and Bear It was released after his death which featured album-less singles, b-sides and some tracks from The Crack. I would recommend this band to anyone interested in any forms of ska punk or any classic punk.
Discography
Singles;
In a Rut, 1978
Babylon's Burning, 1979
Something That I Said, 1979
Jah War, 1979
Staring At The Rude Boys, 1980
West One (Shine On Me), 1980
Albums and comps;
The Crack, 1979
Grin and Bear It, 1980
Formed by Paul Fox (guitar) and Dave Ruffy (drums), who were both in local pub bands in London. Malcolm Owen soon joined on vocals and John Jennings joined on bass. All members were influenced by reggae and the growing punk movement in the late 1970s. The played in the Rock Against Racsim concert and took a strong anti-racist stance. Their debut single "In A Rut" was released in 1978 on the indie label People Unite.
Later they signed to Virgin records and released the single "Babylon's Burning" Which reached the U.K.'s top ten, sky-rocketing their fan-base. The Crack was their debut album and had a range of catchy punk and ska songs. The songs were mostly about the present political situation in late 1970's Britain. Such as police control, rascism and violence.
1980 witnessed the release of 2 more excelent singles in the form of "Staring At The Rude Boys" and "West One (Shine On Me)".
However the bands career was cut dramatically short by the death of vocalist Malcolm Owen. Who died of a heroine overdose.(Ironically after condeming the drug in the song "H-Eyes"). Without his charismatic voice the band went into decline. They re-surfaced as The Ruts DC and released two albums that attracted little attention. It is certain if Owen hadn't died the band would have released several more top notch albums. The compilation Grin and Bear It was released after his death which featured album-less singles, b-sides and some tracks from The Crack. I would recommend this band to anyone interested in any forms of ska punk or any classic punk.
Discography
Singles;
In a Rut, 1978
Babylon's Burning, 1979
Something That I Said, 1979
Jah War, 1979
Staring At The Rude Boys, 1980
West One (Shine On Me), 1980
Albums and comps;
The Crack, 1979
Grin and Bear It, 1980