45 years of The Crack and beyond - a truly timeless set!
What a fantastic gig to end the year! The appropriately named Human Punk put on a memorable show with Ruts DC at the 229 in London, along with their special guests, to celebrate 45 years since the release of The Ruts debut album ‘The Crack‘.
Billed as ‘Ruts DC playing a full set of songs from ‘The Crack‘ to ‘Counterculture?‘ and beyond’, similar to the special show they did in Dunfermline earlier in the year, there was high anticipation amongst the fans as to what we’d be hearing on the night.
The splendid WitchDoktors opened the show, with dep bassist Ben Lawson standing in for still-injured Lee Page. I was overjoyed to see Lee in the crowd supporting his bandmates, and he assured me he’s on the mend and will be back in his regular spot with them in 2025.
‘Planet’ Andy, Tony and Joe (vocals, guitars and drums) soon had the audience in their hands, as they fired through a smokin’ set of older and brand new material. It’s my eighth time seeing the band this year, and their songs and performances never fail to raise my spirits! I can’t wait to hear their new album – and we’ll be bringing you all the news and reviews here on Punktuation as soon as we have it.
Especially for this event, reggae legend and DJ General Saint (aka Winston Hislop) had been persuaded out of retirement by Ruts DC. “I haven’t sung some of these songs for a long time” he grinned, before giving us a storming show of covers in his own dub and reggae groove style!
It’s also my eighth time seeing the mighty Ruts DC this year, including two stunning performances at Rebellion Festival last August. Tonight, however, we were treated to a full set – 22 songs including the encores! With a mighty back catalogue of both Ruts and Ruts DC material, there is always plenty to choose from – so which songs made the final selection? (Scroll down for the set list)
Segs, Ruffy and Leigh were in a jubilant mood, having packed out the big hall of the 229 venue, and it was wonderful to see so many friends there for this understated powerhouse of a band. Segs made it clear that he doesn’t like liars and politicians – often one and the same – with several of the songs on ‘Counterculture?‘ written about this subject. Going back to the archive, he dedicated ‘You’re Just A…‘ to all those who cause so much unecessary strife to our lives.
The beautiful ‘Bound in Blood‘, from Ruts DC’s most recent release ‘ElectrAcoustic Vol 3‘, came mid-set. Perhaps the meaningful lyrics passed over the heads of some of the old punks in the crowd who just wanted to jump and throw their beer around to ‘In A Rut‘ and ‘Staring at the Rude Boys‘, but many of us appreciated its worthy inclusion in a career-spanning set.
One of my favourites ‘Mighty Soldier‘ made a welcome return, along with the Malcolm Owen / Paul Fox tribute ‘Too Much‘, where Segs and Ruffy fondly recall days spent with their old bandmates. The highlight had to be the final song, the rarely performed ‘Society‘, which had us all going utterly mental in the mosh pit! As Segs warned – be careful who is watching what you do..
We’re looking forward to seeing more from Ruts DC in 2025 as they continue their support slot with From The Jam during the early part of the year – dates HERE – hopefully followed by their own headline tour dates later!
Main Photo Credit / All Photos: RUTH RAE
- Faces in the Sky
- S.U.S.
- You’re Just A…
- It Was Cold
- Mighty Soldier
- Backbiter
- Too Much
- West One (Shine on Me)
- Bound in Blood
- Counter Culture
- Born Innocent
- Jah War
- Poison Games
- Criminal Mind
- Kill the Pain
- Something That I Said
- In a Rut
- Babylon’s Burning
Encore:
- Pretty Lunatics
- Staring at the Rude Boys
- Psychic Attack
- Society
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Usually found jumping around down the front at gigs, I also relish taking photos and videos, singing, speaking with fellow music fans, and asking musicians the questions nobody else does. Writing about my favourite bands and connecting with people who love music too keeps me more-or-less sane! I’ve worked for over 25 years at a video production company, mainly filming live music events, therefore I have an additional backstage perspective on the scene.
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