From the dark depths of Bristol’s legendary underground music scene come five beatnik students and one garden centre sales assistant, with a flair for crushing grooves and poignant lyricism that ignites on stage in a manic explosion of relentless kinetic energy. Although existent in various forms since October 2006, it was not until early 2008 that the Ruckus Collective really took off, quickly earning a reputation as one of the city’s most exciting new bands. A constantly evolving palette of influences including funk, jazz, rock, hip-hop, ska, reggae and ambient electronica has drawn comparisons with the likes of Ozomatli and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but in reality it is impossible to categorise this remorselessly genre-smashing punk fusion party sound. The recording of 'Stop, Drop, Dance!' in June ’08 represented a high point for the six members, keen to capture the group’s live potential with a debut album funded by months of heavy gigging. The studio experience had ups and downs, but its result is a disc that successfully portrays the edgy creativity and incendiary dancefloor power which never fails to raise a ruckus. www.ruckuscollective.com // www.myspace.com/ruckuscollective
