The Ruts Lyceum London 1st July 1979 - corrected

 

HUMAN PUNK ADDED AS LAST SONG OF THE SET. ARTWORK AMENDED.

Every time I stumble across the ad for this gig in an old issue of the music press it stikes me as an odd gathering. The three bands on the bill very distinctly represented some of the key youth cultures that we revelled in in the late '70's/early '80s. Post-punk/Goth, Punk and Mod. Each of these bands would have had their own following that would be strongly aligned to their associated tribe. Perhaps in the summer of 1979, the demarcation was not such an issue. Dunno.

This recording does come with a health warning as the sound is not great at all. I have posted it here in the context of Mark Ellen's review that appeared in the New Musical Express on 14th July 1979. He also commented upon the unusual billing and he didn't like The Ruts, which is his prerogative, however, I do take issue with his reference to the band's 'meat-head politics'! This gig was after all just five weeks after the Southall riots resulting from the handling of the community's efforts to stop the national front meeting in the Town Hall. The Ruts were very active in supporting the multitudes of young asians that were arrested that day.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-DmXfmAWuOj

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-pbgF0T0rfs