The Ruts DC – Music Must Destroy

The Ruts DC, formerly known as The Ruts, were one of the original bands that were born out of the original UK punk explosion of the seventies. They were one of the original bands that incorporated reggae, ska and dub into their music alongside the punk aggression, it was this hybrid of styles that produced such classic singles as Babylon’s Burning and Staring At The Rude Boys. They became know as The Ruts DC following the death of their singer Malcolm Owen in 1980, they released two albums, Animal Now and Rhythm Collision Volume One, before calling it a day in 1982, and that might have been the end of matters. However The Ruts DC were reborn out of further tragedy, guitarist Paul Fox was diagnosed with lung cancer and the band reformed to perform a benefit show for their comrade, with lifelong fan Henry Rollins taking over vocal duties for the night. Sadly Paul Fox lost his battle with cancer later the same year but The Ruts DC were reunited once more and they recorded a dub album with the Mad Professor entitled Rhythm Collision Volume Two.

The Ruts DC are now stripped back down to a three piece comprised of original members John ‘Segs’ Jennings, bass and vocals, and Dave Ruffy, drums, along with Leigh Heggarty on guitar. This album shows that The Ruts DC and not content to just be another band riding the nostalgia bandwagon, in Music Must Destroy they have created an album that shows that they are still a force to be reckoned with. The opening aggressive blast of Psychic Attack sets down a marker that few will match this year, this was the first single from the album and it remains one of my favourite singles from 2016. The album is as varied as you’d expect from The Ruts DC, the title track is a menacing number with a stamping relentless beat, both Surprise and Kill The Lights won’t sound out of place alongside the material from their classic debut album. But it’s not all meance and punk attitude, there are softer moments on the album such as Soft City Lights, Peace Bomb and Tears On Fire and the album closes with Golden Boy, which is the most laid back track on the album and is a fitting and haunting tribute their fallen lead singer.

In making Music Must Destroy The Ruts DC have made a triumphant return to recording, this isn’t just a great comeback album, it’s a great album. There isn’t a singe track on this album that I would object to hearing live alongside their classic material, for me this is the best album The Ruts have made since their debut, The Crack, back in 1979. If you aren’t familiar with The Ruts DC then I’d recommend picking up this album, and their debut album, as The Ruts are a band that despite personal tragedy striking them several times are still here, and sounding as good as they ever have. In addition to their core members The Ruts DC have been aided and abetted on Music Must Destroy by a veritable who’s who of punk and alternative artists including Morrissey‘s Baz Boorer, The Damned‘s Captain Sensible, Stiff Little Fingers’ Jake Burns, Spear Of Destiny‘s Kirk Brandon and of course their most famous fan, Henry Rollins. Many bands at this stage of their career are resting on the back catalogue and playing greatest hits tours, this would have been easy enough for The Ruts DC to do, instead they have made one of the best albums of the career.

The Ruts DC will play a special album release show at The Underworld, London on September 16 and tickets are available here

Music Must Destroy will be released on September 16th on Westworld Recordings

You can order Music Must Destroy on CD here and on double vinyl album here