So yesterday I heard about a fantastic gig involving original members of the Ruts and a whole host of other punk legends including the Damned and the UK Subs. Henry Rollins (Black Flag / Rollins Band) has been lined up to sing some of the Ruts songs at the gig which is to take place at the Islington Academy on Monday 16th July. Our Henry had this to say on Peafish’s myspace page:

“The Ruts are one of my favorite bands of all time, period. On their album, The Crack and the singles, there’s not one song that I don’t like. They were easily one of the top shelf bands from the entire British Punk scene and there were a lot of good bands in that scene. In the music scene where I come from, Washington DC, The Ruts were and still are a very big deal. Ask people like Ian MacKaye and others from those days about The Ruts and you’ll see what I am talking about. That the band’s potential was cut short by such tragic circumstances still gets to me. Their next album would have been a knockout. I am still listening to their music, which with time, has not lost any relevance but perhaps picked up some. I am glad to be part of this event if for nothing else, just to say thanks.”

Thanks Henry, it saves me writing all that. The Ruts were simply one of the best punk bands around – I don’t really do the top 5 band things but yes they’d be in there….

The gig is a benefit for Paul Fox of the Ruts who has been diagnosed with lung cancer and cancer research. If, like me, you were thinking I’d love to go the gig then like me you’re out of luck. No sooner had I found out it was on I’ve found out it’s sold out.

I’m gutted, absolutely gutted not to get a ticket. All the same I hope that it’s a fantastic night and raises a lot of money for Paul and the charity. Good on you if you’ve got tickets and are going.