ruts dc
live
​
16
toneladas
valencia
​
7November
2023
the
complexity
the
knife edge
volatility
the
anxiety
laden
uncertainty
damaged
splintered
riven by the unchecked capitalism of a global system where fear seems to be the catalyst for so many decisions and actions
the world yesterday
the world today
babylon's burning
babylon's burning
with anxiety
with anxiety
It’s comforting to roll back the years to recall "the good times, the better times". Were they really better times? Perhaps. In some ways. But in so many ways, we're facing the same issues as we did back in the day, but they feel a whole lot more painful, they cut a whole lot deeper
It used to drive me nuts when my mum would offer the immortal words “Ooooh, them were the days”
Nostalgia reminds me that my own good times of days gone by are gone forever but it also gives me gratitude for having experienced them.
There's the bittersweet paradox
I wonder what she’d think of what’s happening now, bless her soul
of nostalgia
Ruts DC were part of such a turbulent, exciting and groundbreaking musical and cultural heritage. Their music and words can guide us, help us to learn from that heritage, help us to work towards a better future
So let's use the positivity of nostalgia.
Let's use it to inspire ourselves and others
Let's use it to create unity with those who have shared those experiences, with those willing to listen
Let's use it to reinvigorate our own actions for change
Let's use it to kill the pain of what's happening today…
Give Me Something to Kill The Pain GODDAmMIT!
you may say i'm a dreamer, but i'm not the only one
you may say i'm a dreamer, but i'm not the only one
Remarkably, they have not played in Spain before, either in their current or previous incarnation as The (tragically short-lived) Ruts. That’s all changed now having played shows in Valencia, Barcelona, Madrid and Cangas do Morrazo. They’re off now to Netherlands, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland
So. Back to that historic night in Valencia
and when Segs, Ruffy and Leigh take to the stage at 9.45pm, I feel a knot of pride and joy at a band that has never stopped believing.
What happened to the voice of freedom?
That kept us breathing.
Should we stop believing?
they brood, they snarl, they rage, they smoulder, they mourn, they ask questions, they listen with compassion
they never surrender their integrity
they never surrender
period
from the opener, Faces In The Sky, to encore closer, Psychic Attack, Ruts DC invite us in with open arms to be a part of their journey through a catalogue that’s as diverse as it is beautiful and a belief system that’s full of hope
Ruffy’s precision, swing and melodic inventiveness on the drums, Segs’ insistent, emphatic punk ’n’ dub bass lines and impassioned vocals and Leigh’s shimmering, haunting, eloquent, eye of the needle guitar artistry are all expertly mixed by sound engineer Dave Hall.
Seeing them this close-up is a joy. It’s thunderous. It’s like being part of a gang, a community that’s full of positivity, one that can turn the tables. There’s a power in that. I’ve often said to anyone that will listen (the numbers are waning, people!) that there are a few musicians, artists, bands who, whilst they are still getting up on stage, make me believe that everything that’s wrong with this fucked up world will be ok.
and that is how I felt when I left this historic show
No pasarán
No pasarán
SET LIST
faces in the sky
s.u.s.
you're just a….
it was cold
x ray joy
dangerous minds
kill the pain
west one (shine on me)
despondency
counter culture
born innocent
jah war
poison games
something that I said
babylon's burning
-----
pretty lunatics
staring at the rude boys
psychic attack
Big shout outs to Liam, Dave, Nick and Rubén for their massive contributions
​
PS Hearing Mighty Soldier being soundchecked is pretty cool too