The Ruts were a reggae-influenced British punk rock band, formed in 1977 at the height of the Punk revolution. They finally released their first single ‘In A Rut’ in early 1979 on the People Unite label . This 7” vinyl was much played and highly regarded by the UK BBC Radio 1 D.J, John Peel. From then on and over the years, the record rightly became what can be considered to be a Punk anthem.
There were more to follow, with the singles ‘Babylons Burning’,’ Something that I Said’, ‘Jah War’ (all from the debut album ‘The Crack’) and ‘Staring at the Rude Boys’, ‘West One’ (both featured on the album ‘Grin and Bear It’).The band were quickly established as a major force in U.K music, but by 1980, The Ruts were over.
The history and tragedy surrounding the band is much documented – see Wikipedia and the book Love in Vain.
