The Ruts’ Paul Fox Down With Cancer
from Jake Burns (Stiff Little Fingers):
“I just found out a few days ago that an old friend of ours, Paul Fox from The Ruts, is terminally ill with cancer. Although he’s trying to keep working for as long as he can, this is obviously going to become progessively difficult.
Therefore some friends of Paul’s are organising a benefit night for him at the Crown & Treaty pub, 90 Oxford Rd. in Uxbridge, Middlesex on the 7th July. (here)
There will also be a second benefit in London. Sadly, I can’t make it over there to play, much as I would like to. So, I’ve decided to donate a couple of things to an auction. First, will be a couple of the ever popular signed stage shirts ! These I’ll send to the Crown & Treaty.
Secondly, I’ll be putting the black Epiphone acoustic guitar I played on “Harp” & the “Hope St.” album on eBay which will give folks who can’t be there a chance to bid on something. I know you guys have been incredibly generous in the (very) recent past, but I thought you’d probably want to help again as I’m sure Paul (and The Ruts) mean a lot to most of you as well.
Look for another email (and announcement on slf.com) soon about the Ebay auction of the guitar. All the best, Jake.”
Ricecooker’s Note: After the death of singer Malcolm Owen, The Ruts became The Ruts DC and went on to release a few excellent dub-reggae influenced post-punk classics. Once the band ultimately fizzled out “Foxy” had been pretty much involved in the industry as a producer; while appearing intermittently with some projects.
Recently he ressurected The Ruts with some friends and played a few punk fests, that band later became Foxy’s Ruts, featuring Paul’s son on drums! There have been rumours that he and the band would be recording later this year and we still do hope that will happen.
Back in the day, The Ruts was an amazing band. Unlike many other compatriots, The Ruts can really handle their instruments. They can really play and never shied away from experimenting with their influences, especially with deep roots reggae.
I personally think the reggae-punk collision by The Ruts and The Ruts DC far outpaced The Clash’s earlier recordings, and the band in turn influenced a lot of later bands I love such as Fugazi and Bad Brains.
I hope Foxy will pull through; here’s a track from Ruts DC:
[audio:https://vintage.ricecooker.site/mp3_wp_rc/rdc_mirror.mp3]
Mirror Smashed from Ruts DC first album Animal Now! 1981
is this the same ruts yang recorded the song babylon’s burning?
yeah of course boss. try to get all their stuff. excellent band. Stick Doom’s favourite UK punk band ever!
babylon’s burning & staring at the rude boys adalah antara track2 awal yg pernah aku dgr sewaktu masa dulu… my condolences…
isyyy…laa…ingatkan dah mati…semoga cepat sembuh…
Henry Rollins to front the reformed Ruts
Read more at this link : http://www.punknews.org/article/24352
As for me, I like The Crack album (1979) and the Peel Sessions (1986) but never heard The Ruts DC. Bad Brains’ new album is also good.
Hopefully Paul don’t make the same mistake again.
Stop smoking Paul!