Fun
Filled Prime Time Bar Room Blues;
or
The
Band That Refuses To Lie Down & Die Quietly!
The following article is reproduced in full by
kind permission of Pete Feenstra and Soundcheck magazine.
Ruthless Blues are many things to many people.
After all, a band of roughly 18
years standing probably picks up enough fans and runs up enough
memorable moments along the way to fill a scrapbook with memories.
Imagine the fuss then, when some nine months or so ago
(these things are never accurate) the rumour spread across the manor
that Ruthless were playing their last gig. In true Ruthless style, the
rumour became an avalanche and gig goers who hadn't been seen for years
suddenly reappeared. The unlikely assemblage comprised rock-blues fans,
live music fans, Yardbird fans (yes they remembered guitarist John
Knightsbridge and drummer Jim McCarty) and even the odd debt
collector!!! But we jest.
In the event the afore mentioned gigs packed out three
or four sun drenched venues in the height of summer, and then a silence
descended. And so the story continues….
OK! Steve Smith, the indefatigable front man
harmonicist/vocalist and fun filled South London legend, retreated to
his Scottish Highlands abode, bass player Andy Herbert picked up yet
more session work and dabbled with technology. Drummer Tony Fernandez,
hooked up with long time musical compatriot Rick Wakeman for a World
Tour, and guitarist Martyn Taylor remained a stoic Yorkshire man of
mystery.
Basically whatever it is he does when he’s from the
band always leaves him fired up to return with jagged edged, steely
riffs every time the band chooses to reconvene. And of course reconvene,
the band did! For all his duo work, song writing, harmonica playing,
tinitinitus and house husbandry, Steve Smith is a performer of the
highest order. His feet itched, his sense of humour became stifled, and
even a 15 hour journey down to The Smoke from the very north of the
Highlands seemed worth the effort once the band hit its stride in front
of their loyal followers.
In short, Ruthless rode again. Fernandez planned to
move to Southern Europe, but his Wakeman tour was brought forward,
leaving time for a reunion, Andy Herbert was in between tours, leaving
only the whereabouts to be ascertained of guitarist Taylor. As if it
were the trademark of this band, the pros and cons were "ummed and
aaahhhed" over and before long a gaggle of dates were organised,
and surprise, surprise, the fans flocked to see them.
In short, Ruthless rode again. Fernandez planned to
move to Southern Europe, but his Wakeman tour was brought forward,
leaving time for a reunion, Andy Herbert was in between tours, leaving
only the whereabouts to be ascertained of guitarist Taylor. As if it
were the trademark of this band, the pros and cons were "ummed and
aaahhhed" over and before long a gaggle of dates were organised,
and surprise, surprise, the fans flocked to see them.
Even on a hot summers' night on a Thursday at The
Torrington , the band gave their absolute all in front of the die-hards.
And that night all but epitomised the band's history. For here was a
collection of the finest UK rock blues players who in the name of
Ruthless Blues had played in the old USSR, and played in Spitsbergen/Norway
- the roof of Europe somewhere North of the Arctic Circle. Here was a
band that had played one of Europe's biggest biker rallies in Germany;
had played annual sell out blues gigs on the Thames and had opened up
for sell out shows with Walter Trout, and had, down the years featured
members such as John "Irish" Earle; John Knightsbridge; Johnny
Mars and Jim McCarty, Paul McCallum - a Whose Who of international Rock
Blues, and who collectively had recorded a handful of albums and tapes
etc. Above all, here was a brand name that continues to draw old and new
fans alike, even though the annual gig figure barely tops a dozen or so
gigs a year!
And the thing about the 18-year history that the most
loyal fans will tell you about is that the best gigs have often been in
front of the smallest crowds. The opposite happens too of course, but
the point is that the core elements of fun and the love of live music
have sustained Ruthless Blues over a far longer period than anyone of
them could ever have imagined. The band's new found popularity is full
of irony of course. Having signed in the late 80's for President
records, Ruthless recorded a brace of albums, gained radio airplay, but
ended their contract one short of the three album deal. A combination of
line-up changes, and the looming break through of CD's as the musical
carrier of the time , all but sidelined a band who in terms of the live
circuit were one of the most popular outfits in town.
Rightly described as "London's leading Rock Blues
outfit" by Time Out, Ruthless blazed a trail, adding rare humour to
a blistering set, and topped things off with Stevie Smith's inflatable
instruments, spontaneous South London rap, and fierce harp work. Such
was the power and passion of the band that they continued apace in spite
of organisational problems, and line-up changes
And so almost as if by design, as the final bend comes
in sight, the band find themselves jet propelled into another musical
chapter that has so far outstayed many soap operas. A long awaited live
album is being mulled over, and a few more gigs have been added before
Christmas.
And finally what about the music I hear you cry? Well
Ruthless Blues have written a hatful of classic rock blues outings from
the thunderous "The Stomp (Is that The Blues)"; to the
galloping "Handle"; the tongue in cheek "Break My
Back"; and the celebratory singalong "Rolling Drunk".
With the recent changes the set has tended to include
innovative re-workings of Van Morrison's "Gloria"; Marvyn
Gaye's "Heard It Through the Grapevine"(The Stevie Smith rap
version); and the less imaginative but eloquently played "Walking
By Myself". The magical mixture that produces the winning blend is
Stevie's Smith confrontational approach to the audience, Tony
Fernandez's uncluttered brilliance - the ultimate left-handed drummer-
Andy Herbert’s seamless bass lines, and Martyn Taylor's explosive
guitar playing.
Together as Ruthless Blues, this band provide
exhilarating bar room boogie, the perfect musical accompaniment to four
beaming smiles. Here's to the next 10 years boys.
Pete Feenstra
Soundcheck Magazine - January 2002
