“The Crack. I cannot explain to you the impact that this LP had. It is simply one of the best albums of its time. A true treasure that does not age but only impresses the more you play it.” Henry Rollins
Released in September of 1979, The Ruts one and only studio album ‘The Crack’ was an extraordinary statement of intent. As the energy and attitude of punks first wave started to dissipate, here was a band that exploded onto the scene with everything to offer. ‘The Crack’ had it all. Twelve power-packed songs brimming with invention and energy, it featured an outstanding run of hit singles – ‘Babylon’s Burning’, ‘Something That I Said’ and ‘Jah War’ – alongside some of the best adrenalized rock music to emerge in that decade’s closing. Malcolm Owen’s snarling yet soulful vocals, Paul Fox’s soaring guitar and the incredible rhythm pairing of bassist John Jennings and drummer Dave Ruffycame together in perfect harmony to create an album that is as relevant and important now as it was then. Henry Rollins isn’t alone in his opinion when he frequently refers to The Crack as the “best album ever made”.
The Ruts (now Ruts DC) have always been intent on creating fresh music, constantly striving to move forward. When the band returned to the studio in 2008 to record ‘Rhythm Collision 2’, the follow-up to the 1982 dub-masterpiece, they hit the road and began the daunting task of crafting the first new Ruts DC songs since the early 80s, resulting in the release of 2016’s exceptional ‘Music Must Destroy’ album. It featured ten new songs of prime Ruts energy and song-writing suss, proving just how well the Jennings/Ruffy partnership had endured, alongside new guitarist Leigh Heggarty.
As 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of ‘The Crack’, however, it’s now time to take a well-deserved look back and Ruts DC are proud to announce a special UK tour to celebrate the albums original release, playing it in its entirety for the very first time, alongside the release of a brand new remastered vinyl reissue of the original album on February 8th via Virgin/EMI/UMC.
“It’s always been important to us to be a current and forward-thinking band, releasing and playing new material whilst being proud of our past,” states John ‘Segs’ Jennings. “A milestone to many, ‘The Crack’ is an important piece of work to us too. We now feel ready to celebrate where we came from.”
“Making ‘The Crack’ was a real game changer for me,” continues Dave Ruffy. “The Ruts were a band that were greater than the sum of their parts and wrote music inspired by everything we had ever heard. It’s a piece of work that I am immensely proud to have been a part of. Now forty years on we will be playing the album in its entirety, it’s quite a challenge as some of the songs have not been played since 1980! Our legacy is large, and we are and will continue working hard to make this a great show.”
The anticipated vinyl reissue of ‘The Crack’ was remastered by Tim Turan at Turan Audio and cut to vinyl at Abbey Road Studios. It includes a download card and will available through Virgin/EMI/UMC on February 8th here: https://TheRuts.lnk.to/TheCrackLP
Support on all dates will come from post-Sex Pistols legends The Professionals, who feature drummer Paul Cook among their ranks and together with Ruts DC, this tour will serve as a worthy tribute to ‘The Crack’ and two of its much-missed creators Malcolm Owen and Paul Fox.
The Crack – 40th Anniversary Tour 2019
11th Feb Phoenix Exeter
12th Feb Concorde 2 Brighton
13th Feb O2 Ritz Manchester
15th Feb 02 Institute 2 Birmingham
16th Feb 02 Academy 2 Sheffield
17th Feb The Junction Cambridge
18th Feb 02 Academy Oxford
20th Feb Waterfront Norwich
21st Feb Riverside Newcastle
22nd Feb Garage Glasgow
23rd Feb Tunnels Aberdeen
24th Feb Liquid Rooms Edinburgh
26th Feb Rescue Rooms Nottingham
27th Feb SWX Bristol
28th Feb O2 Shepherds Bush Empire London
2nd Mar Button Factory Dublin, IE
3rd Mar Limelight Belfast
Tickets available from gigsandtours.com or ticketmaster.co.uk.
