It Was Thirty Five Years Ago Today: Malcolm Owen RIP

We honor the memory of Malcolm Owen, lead vocalist of the mighty Ruts, on this, 

the 35th anniversary of his death.

Ruts DC on Pledge Music now!

The Ruts. 

RUTS D.C. 

Book. 

Double live album. 

Pledge music campaign. 

Do it: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/9426

Tim Sommer on the greatness of the Ruts

FoB©, Tim Sommer, has a terrific weekly column (entitled, appropriately enough, Noise The Column) over at the Brooklyn Bugle. In light of this week marking the 34th anniversary of the death of lead singer, Malcolm Owen, he writes an unabashed fan letter paying tribute to the greatness of the Ruts. 

"1980 was an extraordinary year in music.  It was the first year of the new decade, the first year of the first completely Beatles-free decade, and the first year of the first post-punk decade.  1980 also saw the release of Back in Black, Boy, Second Edition, British Steel, London Calling (in the U.S., anyhow), Underwater Moonlight, Freedom of Choice, Los Angeles, Killing Joke, Black Sea, Dirty Mind, Closer, The Black Album, Ace of Spades, and Double Fantasy. Stunning." 

Continued here.

Daisy's Letter From London: February 2014 - Ruts DC at 12 Bar, Denmark St, London

Dear Karate Boogaloo - 

It’s really bitter sweet that I write this, you know. I know how much you love The Ruts. I wish you were here. I really, really mean it. I thought I liked the Ruts too, but, once again, listening to them BECAUSE you like them so much, I heard the band differently. I had you as a filter or as a kindred spirit (if that means someone who I am thinking about so strongly that they might be in the room too). I know your taste in music has heart and soul and boots that have been tramped around in. Last night I could see what you see. 100% men with souls with jackets off - men, dammit, from Hayes Middlesex, where I went to high school - but that old story of ... they were a few years ahead of me. See if I can recreate it for you in case our spirit-connection went behind one of the million rain clouds that have been passing England lately.

It was a Perfect gig. 

Parking space right outside the tiny shop front that is the 12 Bar in Denmark Street next door to Steve Jones' (Sex Pistols) old flat. Open the door and you get a warm reception at the desk. You are required to pay THREE POUNDS to get in. Your mind does a time warp. 

All the faces in the room are immediately Chaucer characters. Esso's (ex-Lurkers) glinty smile from a bench behind a beer on a Tudor hewn-wood table top. Posters cover the beams. Check out the merch desk. Badges £1. T-Shirts £15 (good cotton). Bathrooms are up creaky stairs from the ante-chamber on your left and before you duck through the doorway to the stage cave area which might have been a boiler room at one time (what that big pipe is doing in there, I’m not sure) you could step down left and play pool or pinball. There’s some amplification sizzle and tick and we’re in under the balcony bit at the back.

The band wobble up and balance on the stage: Support band is The Duel - a gutsy blonde girl singer in her red Lurkers t-shirt and her platform brothel creepers. A young Captain Sensible sultan on electric pianos (one strap round his shoulders), a striped t-shirt sailor-face on electric guitar, a stand in bass player, in his best suit jacket, who was great. In the corner is Pumpy Drums - his goatee beard is dyed red today, red sunglasses, red (life aquatic) wool hat - he plays seriously in his cartoon t-shirt: BAM!

Introducing their last song, singer Tara Rez says, “We are truly blessed to have the Ruts playing next. Their first acoustic set in 35 years!” She is wrong, but that’s only because these Ruts have NEVER done an acoustic set. Why not? There is no sensible answer.

The room fills up with your roman descendents and spiky toothy geezers. I am in the front row and remain there for the whole set. Seggs says, “we’re not going to do the encore bit. We’d never get out and back.” They sit down. The evening sets sail.

They seem HUGE and capable to me: big men with broad shoulders and wide ribs and pulsing hearts. The sort of men you’d see at the Thames Dock Yard with rope and inked-arms clanking anchors, smiling with a golden tooth maybe. Every song is powerful and moving and dubbed and echoed with joining in bits and SPECIAL GUESTS Aynsley Jones and Larry Love from Alabama 3.

Highlights for Gary were In A Rut, Rude Boys, Babylon’s Burning ... hold on, no. “Just the whole set really”- and for me Love In Vain (dedicated to Malcolm, their singer who went down the path before Sid and Philip Seymour Hoffman) ... guest vocalist Aynsley Jones, Dave Ruffy’s sweet backing vocals and witty banter in between. Lee Heggerty agreeing to say Hello to you on my camera! The joy that radiated off this band and the hope that he’s telling the truth, that even though this is their first acoustic set, there may be others.

With love from London, Daisy! xo

Big birthday wishes to Tom Waits, Louis Prima, and Malcolm Owen

Tom Waits by Danny Clinch

Louis Prima

Malcolm Owen (the Ruts)

Why This Guy Loves The Ruts (as everyone should)

Despite the fact that this guy obviously went to the Henry Rollins School of Broadcasting (cool it with the distracting hand movements!), its a great pleasure to see someone talking about the Ruts quite articulately & passionately.

This gives me an excuse to plug Ruts DC's latest, Rhythm Collision Vol. 2. Be sure to visit their website to buy a copy of the album direct from the band, and grab a free MP3. 

Ruts DC shot by Laura Levine

Photographer Laura Levine posted this great photo of Ruts DC on her Facebook page yesterday. The band are enjoying a post-photo shoot cup of tea in Laura's kitchen in Chinatown, NYC, circa 1982. You may remember these cool shots of the band from around the same time, by Godlis, which I posted about a year ago. Be sure to visit the Ruts DC website, and check out their fantastic new album Rhythm Collision Vol. 2.

Ruts DC: Rhythm Collision Vol. 2 is here! Listen to "Mighty Soldier"

What a fantastic surprise! Collecting my mail after getting home from a couple of days out of the city, I received a mysterious padded mailer from the UK. Upon closer inspection, turns out it's from Mr. Dave Ruffy, the one & only drummer for Ruts DC, and it turns out it's a copy of their brand new album, Rhythm Collision Vol. 2. Life is good! Anyone who has read Stupefaction for a while now knows what a huge fan of the Ruts and Ruts DC I am.

About a year ago, I featured a new song, "Mighty Soldier," which leads off the new album and you can listen to again below. Considering that Vol. 1, released 30 years ago, remains firmly high on my desert island disc list, surviving members Segs & Ruffy (the rhythm section, wouldn't you know?), and a fantastic crew of support players, have done masterful work that just may rival the original. The overall scope and cohesion of this album as a single piece of work cannot be underestimated - this exactly how I feel about Vol. 1, and it suits this one to a "T". From the beginning, each track weaves into the next to take you on a bass heavy journey of rhythm that is incredibly rewarding. The album is twelve tracks in all - 9 on the album proper, and 3 listed as bonus cuts. It was recorded with Mad Professor, who also engineered Vol. 1 thirty years ago, and mixed by Prince Fatty. It's pedigree is undeniable. 

About the album, the band says, "We have decided to release this album on our own Sosumi Recordings, embracing the DIY ethic that propelled The Ruts into the 7" vinyl market in 1978, and allowed us to release Volume 1 in '82."

p.s. From the "even more excitement department," according to the liner notes, there is a book about the band in the works by Roland Link. It will be called Love In Vain: The Story of The Ruts & Ruts DC.

Ruffy & Segs

All I can say is thank you, Ruffy & Segs. You've made this Ruts fan extremely happy. I honestly never thought I'd be listening to new Ruts music again in this lifetime.

Ruts DC have already played a few album kick off shows in the UK this month. Later this summer they'll be playing the following shows, and it wouldn't surprise me if more are added along the way:

August 10 - Blackpool - Rebellion Festival

August 25 - Penzance, Cornwall - 3 Chord Festival

September 6 - Preston - 53 Degrees

September 7 - Newcastle - North East Calling

September 13 - Reading - Sub 89

More in September - German & Scottish dates TBC

Buy the album directly from the band,  or at your favorite retailer,

and keep up with Ruts DC via the following links:

Official website 

Facebook 

Twitter 

 

Happy guys, from left: John "Segs" Jennings, Mad Professor, Dave Ruffy

Ruts DC - Exclusive New Track, "Mighty Soldier"

Right around the time I heard from the dub-inspired Skintologists about their new album, I also received in the mail a five track EP from one of my all time favorites, Ruts DC. I've written about them plenty over the last several years, and a conversation about all time favorite albums NEVER goes by without me mentioning their final album, 1982's might, mighty Rhythm Collision Vol. 1. There's a reason that my very first tattoo was the simple triangle that the Ruts used (and continue to use) as a logo.

Well, thirty years has gone by, and I'm extremely happy to say that surviving members Segs Jennings (bass & vocals), and Dave Ruffy (drums) have lost not one ounce of genius. These guys were in one of the best British punk bands, and they're also responsible for probably the best British reggae that I can recall...easily. Jennings & Ruffy should be spoken about in the same breath as Sly & Robbie. Yes, THAT good.

I'm completely honored that they've permitted me to stream a track here for you to check out. Its called "Mighty Warrior" and mines the same vein of reggae that Michael Franti has been working to much success over the last several years - only better. I hope you like it as much as I do!

The band have said they are attempting to finish the entire album by the end of the year - lets hope so! The EP which has this track can be ordered directly from the band via their website right here.

Shot By: Godlis - Ruts DC in NYC

 I'm truly honored to be able to post these photos that involve some of my favorite people on the planet...these are previously unpublished shots of Ruts DC (thats The Ruts without deceased lead singer Malcolm Owen for those who don't know) taken in NYC by Godlis. Above are, left to right, Dave Ruffy (drums), Paul Fox (guitar), and Segs Jennings (bass, vocals).

Godlis seems to think they were either taken in December 1980 or January 1981 here in New York. If accurate, Ruts DC were yet to release their first album as Ruts DC which would come out a few months later in spring of 1981, and called Animal Now. The band were in town at the time playing a few shows in the north east including the Peppermint Lounge in New York, and the 9:30 Club in Washington DC. I'm sure Jack Rabid of Big Takeover could tell us exactly when the gigs took place. 

I happened to discover these while doing some work for Godlis a couple of years ago. There they were, just sitting in a filing cabinet amongst many other proofsheets and 8 x 10's shot for various record companies and publications at the time. Big thanks to both Godlis and The Ruts for permission to post these. Hope we'll see them on The Ruts new site sometime soon! (See more after the jump.)

Bob Marley digs vinyl

This is a fantastic candid shot of Marley hanging out, and checking out some records. If you look closely, you'll notice that LP on top of the few he's holding is the first Ruts album, The Crack. I can't fault his taste. Thanks to Bob at Blue Note Records in South Florida - be sure to visit him when in Miami/Fort Lauderdale for all of your used vinyl needs.

Even more Ruts news!

Looks like I was a wee bit premature in posting that piece earlier today on Ruts doings & goings-on. I somehow missed this story over at Louder Than War from a few days ago. It basically announces something I've known about for a few months now, but have kept under my hat out of respect to the band.

Basically the news is that Ruts DC are working on a second volume to their essential dub masterpiece, Rhythm Collision Vol. 1, recorded with the Mad Professor, and self-released in 1983. I've heard a couple of rough tracks, and they're well on their way to something hugely rewarding. And that ain't easy as Volume 1 is so incredible. Luckily they have Mad Professor behind the board for this one as well.

Not only are they working on the new album, they will also be joining Alabama Three for a few dates in the UK in November and December:

Nov. 17 - Manchester Ritz
Nov. 26 - Bristol Academy
Dec. 1 - Bournemouth Academy
Dec. 2 - London Kentish Town Forum

Don't forget about my interview with Dave Ruffy & Segs Jennings about the making of Rhythm Collision Vol. 1 over at Perfect Sound Forever. Thanks to Louder Than War for fighting the good fight.

Ruts / Ruts DC related news

Two brief items of note for Ruts fans: The fourth annual Paul Fox tribute show is taking place in Middlesex, London (ish), on October 15. See the flyer below for more info. Thanks to Martin P. for the news.

Also, the ever excellent Eccentric Sleeve Notes recently ran a great career overview and interview with Dave Ruffy from 2008 discussing the Ruts, Laurel Aitken, Prefab Sprout, Aztec Camera and Edwyn Collins. Read it here.

 

Malcolm Owen - 30 Years Gone Today

There have been so many RIP's lately...I almost feel like this is turning into an obituary blog. Oh well, what can I do? One of the reasons I ever started this thing was to document stuff like that for my own, um...pleasure would be the wrong word, but you know what I mean.

Anyway, as my friend Martin mentioned, today is the 30th anniversary of the death of our beloved Ruts lead singer, Malcolm Owen. Here's looking at you, kid.

Remember the Ruts

John Robb rightly remembers Ruts' frontman, Malcolm Owen, as well as one THE great UK bands, in a new article over at the Quietus.

Can it really be three decades since Ruts frontman Malcolm Owen died?

In 1980, just weeks after Ian Curtis’s suicide, another key frontman was dead. And while Curtis has become iconic, Owen and his band - who were already influential at the time of his death - have somehow have been nimbly airbrushed from the annuls of history.

The Ruts, who burst onto the punk-rock battlefield in 1979, were the perfect synthesis of punk and reggae, moving it on from The Clash into a tougher yet powerfully melodic place. Their musicianship was spot on and imaginative, and Owen was briefly given the mantle of spokesman for the punk-rock generation. Continued here.

Eccentric Sleevenotes interviews Ruts' drummer Dave Ruffy in a career spanning style.

Dave Ruffy’s ‘CV’ reads like a ‘who’s who’ of left field pop over the past 30 years. It includes the Ruts, Prefab Sprout, Aztec Camera, Waterboys, Sinead O’Connor and Kirsty MacColl. Primarily a drummer, Dave’s credits also include song writing, production and Midi drum programming.

Dave Ruffy is a teller of vivid stories; recreating dialogue in the present tense, mimicking voices and inflections, and frequently ending the reported conversation with a question to give extra resonance. He admits to digressing a lot, “just to give you extra background”. The background begins with a head spinning journey back to a time when record retailers thrived and vinyl junkies weren’t constantly answering the two inseparable questions, ‘can you still get records/record players?’ Continued here.

And don't forget, my very own interview with Dave Ruffy & bassist Segs Jennings regarding the Ruts DC uber dub masterpiece collaboration with Mad Professor, Rhythm Collision. Read it over at Perfect Sound Forever.

Rut inna Duplicates

Just a quick plug for friend & ex-Rut Dave Ruffy's brilliant instrumental combo, The Duplicates. Of course he can't play by himself. His band mates are Matt Percival, and Seamus Beaghen. Check them out here: myspace.com/duplicates. Be sure to read the list of other bands they've played with over the years - impressive! No?

The Duplicates play, for free, this Saturday in London. Two sets starting around 9:00PM here:

The Birds Nest (map & details)
32 Deptford Church Street
Deptford, London SE8 4RZ

Ruts interview now online at Perfect Sound Forever

I'm proud to announce that my interview with Dave Ruffy & Segs Jennings of the Ruts is now online in the new issue of Perfect Sound Forever. This one is close to my heart as the Ruts have always been a particular favorite. This interview focuses on their last & often overlooked dub album Rhythm Collision (one of my desert island discs). I hope you like it.

If you don't know it by now:
MP3 format from Amazon: Rhythm Collision Vol. 1 & Remix Versions Compact disc from Amazon: Rhythm Collision Dub

This Friday - Ruts events in New York & London

THE RUTS - CHARITY FILM PREMIER - A TRIBUTE TO PAUL FOX & MALCOLM OWEN: CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF THE RUTS

A special screening of a film of the 16th July 2008 Paul Fox cancer benefit gig feat. Henry Rollins on vocals as well as original Ruts drummer Dave Ruffy, bassist Segs Jennings and Paul Fox ,who just passed away in November 2007.

For UK premier info go here: http://www.myspace.com/TheRutsOfficialPage

WHEN:
Friday January 25, 2008
Time: 6:30 - 9.00PM
Screening between 7:30- 8:30

WHERE:
Manitoba's, 99 Avenue B, New York, NY 10003 btwn 6th and 7th St

MUSIC:
Ruts and Ruts related music to be played on the house system prior to screening

DVD:
Copies of the DVD will be available to general public with all proceeds going to charity.

DRINKS:
Happy Hour prices for the entire event, 21+ event

ALSO - NEW RUTS SINGLE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD - RELEASED JANUARY 14!

BABYLON’S BURNING - the new download single
By THE RUTS with HENRY ROLLINS
On sale now from http://WWW.INDIESTORE.COM/THERUTS

See http://www.myspace.com/TheRutsOfficialPage or email me for more info. Thank you - hope to see you there!

Ruts/Rollins US Film Premier, NEW Ruts single featuring Rollins available now!

THE RUTS - CHARITY FILM PREMIER - A TRIBUTE TO PAUL FOX & MALCOLM OWEN
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF THE RUTS
A special screening of a film of the 16th July 2008 Paul Fox cancer benefit gig feat. Henry Rollins on vocals as well as original Ruts drummer Dave Ruffy, bassist Segs Jennings and Paul Fox ,who just passed away in November 2007.

(For UK premier info, click here.)

WHEN:
Friday January 25, 2008
Time: 6:30 - 9.00PM
Screening between 7:30- 8:30

WHERE:
Manitoba's, 99 Avenue B, New York, NY 10003 btwn 6th and 7th St

MUSIC:
Ruts and Ruts related music to be played on the house system prior to screening

DVD:
To broadcast DVD of said performance. Copies available to general public with all proceeds going to charity.

DRINKS:
Happy Hour prices for the entire event, 21+ event

ALSO - NEW RUTS SINGLE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD - RELEASED JANUARY 14!

BABYLON’S BURNING
The new download single
By THE RUTS with HENRY ROLLINS
On sale now from WWW.INDIESTORE.COM/THERUTS

See www.myspace.com/TheRutsOfficialPage for more info.

From Ruts Central, this just in!

We are pleased to announce the first 7 acts confirmed to play at:

The Ruts Charity gig and film premiere at The Shepherds Bush Empire on Friday 25th January.

Firstly, Ruts fan and friend HENRY ROLLINS will be on hand to share his thought on all things Ruts.

And we are pleased to confirm that the fabulous ALABAMA 3 will be playing, they will also be hosting the official aftershow party at JAMM in Brixton.

The Ruts old friend TV SMITH has confirmed that he will be performing for the second time and as we all know he never fails to please.

Performing for the second time too we have CAPTAIN SENSIBLE & STU from THE DAMNED, I am sure they will come up with something amazing.

We also expect a special treat from members of the MEMBERS. They couldn't play last time but have been very supportive and intend to step up to the mark this time.

And all the way from PHOENIX, ARIZONA we have the fantastic GLASS HEROES. These guys are amazing and are happy to travel thousands of miles to show their support for The Ruts and to pay tribute to Paul & Malcolm. This really is an amazing gesture.

And last but certainly not least we can confirm that the young but definitely up and coming KING BLUES will be performing. These guys are a perfect demonstration of how respect and appreciation of the Ruts just goes on and on.

We are now in the process of organising with some very special friends in the US for there to be two simultaneous screenings of the film. One in New York and one in Washington DC. And there may be more....

This is just the beginning.... we have more news and artists to come, so I would urge you to get your tickets now before it's too late.

Tickets cost a mere £10 and are available from:
www.TheRuts.BigCartel.com & www.ticketweb.co.uk

www.myspace.com/TheRutsOfficialPage
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