Ruts DC

Ruts DC is a British punk and reggae group formed by the surviving members of The Ruts after the death of singer Malcolm Owen in 1980. The group consists of Paul Fox, Leigh Heggarty and Dave Ruffy.

Early years and albums

Ruts DC begins as the follow-up name for the remaining three members of The Ruts. The band releases two albums in its original run: Animal Now, a rock album issued on Virgin in 1981, and Rhythm Collision, a dub reggae album released on the band’s own Bohemian imprint in 1982. Rhythm Collision is engineered by Mad Professor.

Split and later activity

The group stops in 1984 before reforming for a single performance at The Academy, Islington on 16 July 2007. For that show, the band is fronted by Henry Rollins. It is also Paul Fox’s final gig, as he is suffering from cancer.

Later recordings

Ruts DC also records Rhythm Collision volume 2 at Mad Professor’s Ariwa Studios. The recording features the original rhythm section of Ruffy and Segs, along with vocal collaborations from Tenor Fly, Ainzli Jones and Molara. The band issues a five-track sampler on its own SOSUMI Recordings label.

Format and style

The group is associated with punk, punk rock, reggae and dub, and its recorded work includes both rock and dub reggae material.