How the SWP Can Save the UK Music Scene

Some lessons from Tony Cliff, founder of the Socialist Workers' Party, which promoters and unsigned bands might take to heart:

- There's no use burying your head in the sand and saying 'there'll be 20 people there'. Much better to admit that 7 people are going to turn up, and work hard to get an 8th.

- Don't mistake grand names and attitudes for actual popularity. Tony Cliff was once introduced to a woman who claimed to represent 'The Pan African Liberal Christian Women's Movement for Democracy and Freedom'. His first comment was: 'I hope there are as many members of this organisation as there are in its title'.

More on Tony Cliff: http://www.marxists.org/archive/cliff/index.htm

Trivia Corner

These days, I try to get most of my information from packets of rolling paper. It was via this medium that I learnt that the fifth biggest selling single in the UK, of all time, is Rivers of Babylon, by Boney M.

It hardly needs pointing out that Rivers of Babylon is far from even being the best Boney M song.

And yet the people who parted with their money (presumably earned, through working) to place this single in such an elevated position are allowed to vote.

Proof, if proof were ever needed, that the man on the Clapham omnibus is a cretin.

Billy Ruffian are now 'influential'

We found a review of a band called 'Cop On The Edge' on these Internets. The line that caught us attention was, "I like this Sarf Landahn quintet. I hate describing things but it's DIY Electro-Indie, and reminds me of anything from Billy Ruffian to The Young Knives...."

Blimey. So we're an influence now, are we?

Last night's gig at Bar Amp in Sale was rather good fun. The sound was good, the audience was far from our usual, and I even attempted some acrobatics. We went down well, but I forgot to hand out any flyers. Dearie me.

'Leaving Soon' was back in the set last night for those who watch these things ('Youth Club' was on leave).

Time-Filling Schemes

I'm off to Paris for a week from today, so I thought I'd leave you with some space-filling Top 5 lists. Feel free to agree or disagree in the comments section.

Top 5 Gigs I'm Looking Forward To in 2007

• Old Crow Medicine Show, Manchester Academy 3
• Marilyn Manson & Turbonegro, MEN Arena
• Alice Cooper, Motorhead & Joan Jet, MEN Arena
• Gogol Bordello, touring
• A Weekend of Filth, Manchester, September 22-23

Top 5 Favourite Guitars

• Gretsch White Falcon
• Gibson 335 (cherry red)
• Gibson Melody Maker (sunburst)
• Danelectro 56-U3
• Fender Jaguar

Top 5 Films About Upper Class England/English People

• If...
• Wah Wah
• Gosford Park
• Bright Young Things
• Another Country

Top 5 Cheeses

• Halloumi
• Cheddar
• Feta
• Roule
• Mozzarella

Top 5 Drum n Bass Tracks:

• DJ Krust & Saul Williams – Coded Language
• Bad Company & Ray Keith – Nitrous
• Dillinja & Lemon D – Grimey
• Roni Size Reprazent – Dirty Beats
• Technical Itch & Ice Minus – Altered Beast

Top 5 Revolutionary Movements:

• Sandanistas, Nicaragua, 1979-
• Paris Commune 1871
• EZLN, Mexico, 1983-
• Angry Brigade, UK, 1970-72
• International Brigade, Spain, 1936-39

Top 5 Rom Coms

• A Life Less Ordinary
• Four Weddings and a Funeral
• Music and Lyrics
• Keeping the Faith
• Wimbledon

Top 5 Books By Modern British Authors:

• Magnus Mills: Explorers of the New Century
• Will Self: The Book of Dave
• Ian McEwan: Saturday
• Julian Barnes: Arthur and George
• Irvine Welsh: Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs

So Very Tired

As something of a connoisseur of rock n roll euphemisms, I was delighted that Amy Winehouse's 'people' tried to pass off her drug-induced hospitalisation as 'exhaustion' the other day. It's such a plausible excuse - after all, who among us hasn't been so worn down from work that only an adrenaline shot to the heart could get us though the day?

Other favourites of mine include:
'mystery virus' - drug overdose
'emotional' - arseholed
'creative differences' - singer shagging the bassist's wife
(of a new album) 'a raw vibe' - we ran out of money to pay for studio time, so we had to release the demos
'archive tracks from the vaults' - too rubbish to fit on the original double lp
'eclectic' - equally rubbish, whatever the genre
'crossover appeal' - we really hope Pepsi decide to license this
'this tour takes us back to our roots' - we couldn't sell enough tickets to fill a single decker bus, let alone an arena

Feel free to add your own suggestions

Raging against the Light

Hello people, this is Ben Paul Ruffian here.  I noticed that we've not written anything on this page for an age so I thought I'd change that.  Tonight Billy Ruffian play Sheffield at DnR (formerly Under the Boardwalk (formerly The Point)).  You should come.  It'll be immense.  It's the first Ruffian visit to the other side of the Pennines since I've been a member so I'm looking forward to the different air and the different people.

Since history is the tale of the victors I can now say that we played triumphantly to some people bowling at Bloomsbury lanes in London.  One of whom was a cutely tressed Kate Nash, so we whored a promo cd to her and added her myspace.  We're looking forward to being invited as her tour support but for some reason the email hasn't arrived yet.  It must be some problem with the mailserver being on strike or something.

Then we played Manchester at the Castle Hotel and what a glorious night it was.  I had found the batteries to my Big Muff and so the sound that the bass was making can only be described as unholy.  (My Girlfriend is Like a) Trojan Horse ended with Ste pounding a snare drum that he found with a microphone and me seeing what my bass would sound like with my pedals turned up to full.  I'm sure Thom was doing something exciting too but I was enjoying myself too much to notice.

I still haven't finished updating Billy Ruffian Web, but when it's done it will be great and I'll announce that too.  Now it's time for Thom to write something irreverent or irrelevant.  One of the two.

Take care, Ben Paul

Billy Ruffian LIVE on the radio tonight

Because we've forgotten to publicise it particularly well, we thought we'd let you know that Ruffians Stephen and Thom will be on All FM (96.9 FM, or www.allfm.org) tonight on the 5pm - 7pm show. They'll turn up around 6pm and play some records, play some Ruffian records, talk about themselves and also play a song. It's all live, so the first one to swear has to undergo a vicious debagging after the show.

After that they'll be off to Font Bar in Manchester where they'll be playing more records with co-conspirators and former Ruffians Ali and Sarah.

This e mail carries a disclaimer, a copy of which may be read at:  	 http://www.gmp.police.uk/mainsite/pages/copyright.htm 

I've not written in this for a while, so thought I might give it a few words and moments of my time.

I'm at work, I had a late, drunken night, and now I'm relying on the power of Taurine to get me through 'til hometime. Which is currently five and a half hours off. I have spent my day typing things and just trying to stay awake. Next weekend I get to prance around on various stages in the North East, have people clap at me (and maybe cheer) and drink myself stupid at some exciting sounding parties. The dual existence of the non-professional band is an odd one. One or two days a week 'living the dream' and the rest of the week spent being cloyingly normal (or as normal as possible) in an office environment.

We got copies of our split 7" with the Art Goblins through the other week. To have my own (coloured) vinyl is an exciting thing indeed, and it's made the music come to life even more than the wonderful production of Ben-Paul Mingus Space had previously suggested that it would. We've started work on our second album, too - watch out for (renamed versions of) Imelda Marcos, Another World, and Bad Punk Song on a tiny record label near you at some point in the distant future. I've not written a thing for it yet. It's odd, really - I have plenty of material from recent (and not so recent events) that should lend itself well to lyrics, but the urge to put things down on paper seems to be lacking. I hope it returns soon for I'm quite a big fan of Imelda Marcos (the song, not the person) and it'll be nice to do it justice.

Stephen Ruffian xx

This e mail carries a disclaimer, a copy of which may be read at:  	 http://www.gmp.police.uk/mainsite/pages/copyright.htm 

Of Musicals, and the Fucking Idiots Who Write Them

Based on the smash 1980's romantic comedy film and featuring the classic hits of BLONDIE, the new musical DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN promises to be the must-see ticket of the Autumn. Roberta Glass, a suburban New Jersey housewife, escapes her humdrum life by reading the personal ads placed by Susan, a street-smart New York City drifter, and her freewheeling boyfriend Jay.

Oh, her surname is Glass? That's handy, we'll be able to use 'Heart of Glass' now. In the scene when she meets her new boyfriend, Steven Tideishigh, no doubt.

Why don't you just fuck off?

Committed to Immortality - Billy Ruffian set in Wax

News! The Billy Ruffian vinyl has arrived.  We've seen it and played it.  It's yellow and just fantastic.  I know this might not be exciting news for you but I can guarantee that is for us. 

In other news we're sketching out some new tunes, we're thinking about videos and we're close to completing a cover version of Huey Lewis' 1987 classic Hip to Be Square featuring Racton on guest guitar.  This will be available for FREE from the Filthy Little Angels website from mid August, along with a whole host of other 1987 classics. 

Keep the fire.

George Melly

Singer and art historian George Melly passed away today.

In tribute to this fine man, our tour is going to carry on under the banner 'Rum, Bum and Ford Cortina'.

I recommend: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rum-Bum-Concertina-George-Melly/dp/0708813976/ref=sr_1_3/203-1355320-1178307?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183638916&sr=1-3

Musical Differences

I've always taken a dim view of bands who have split up, or shed members, due to 'musical differences'. Yeah, right, not arguments about who gets the top bunk on the tourbus, or who took the last of the blow. When Bernard left Suede, it was *obviously* because they couldn't decide whether it would be better to use Dm7 in the chorus of the new song, not because of that time Brett stood on a table at a record company party and screamed 'Now bring me a 9 year old!'

Billy Ruffian are a band of honour and integrity; when we go, we will tell the truth: Irreconcilable Sexual Differences. You heard it here first.

Night of Filth a Success

Thanks to everyone who came to the Star and Garter on Wednesday night, for the home leg of the tour. Minor running difficulties aside, a good night was had by all. The Colt.45s were fantastic as ever. They’re back in Manchester soon, and well worth a watch. Julius Martov & The Sexy Mistakes also did sterling support work.

Our set was one of the most enjoyable we’ve ever done, so thankyou for creating such a great atmosphere. It was Steve Trumpet’s last ever Ruffian gig, not a bad one to end on. He’s going to the Faroe Islands to become a carpenter, which seems like an odd decision until you remember that he’s been living chez Bray for some time now, so it’s well to get as far away as possible.

We’ve got some more gigs coming up, including two extra FLA nights in Manchester, towards the end of September. We’ll keep you posted.

Once again, thanks to everyone who was there; profound curses to the rest of you.
Billy x

Gillette Executives, Look Away Now!

Profits set to plummet as Beth Ditto announces:
Why should we shave? Men don't

Yes, that's right love. She really does talk some vapid shite. I might have more respect for her opinions on self-image if she didn't spend so much time using her body to sell records. Oh, and hanging out with Kate Moss quite so much:
If there's anybody who can make the girls ditch the razors, it's Kate [Moss]. "She's so fucking hot. I'd like to see her try and shave at Glasto.

I imagine she'd do it in the on-site shower facilities, but who knows? Cer-azzy!

It's great to see her expressing her admiration for such a creative powerhouse as Kate Moss though. You know, she did that really bad duet with Bobby Gillespie. And a worse one with Babyshambles. What a towering body of work.

Oh, and she's intellectual, as the old Popbitch story shows:
Kate Moss was doing a fashion shoot in a disused house in the East End of London. At one point, she asked where the toilet was. 'There's one downstairs,' she was told, 'but it doesn't have a door.'

'How the fuck am I supposed to get in there then?' Kate demanded.

Billy Ruffian Denounced

"DontDateHimGirl.com, a controversial new website that lets women publicly out the men who cheat on them to avoid the heartache of dating the cad."

Billy Ruffian denounced as a lech and a scoundrel:
http://www.dontdatehimgirl.com/search/cheater.asp?ddh_id=60781&return_url=index%2Easp%3F

On Dress Codes

Watching the BBC's coverage of Glastonbury, I was horrified to note that the drummer from the Arctic Monkeys was wearing tracksuit trousers on stage. Without rushing to knee-jerk over-reactions, the man should be shot.

Honestly, what sort of message does this send out? I hate slovenly musicians. The audience spend their time before a gig worrying about what to wear, getting excited, doing their hair, whilst you, Mr Musician, are safely ensconced in some luxurious backstage area, surrounded by whores and material trappings... and you have the temerity to wander onstage in tracksuit trousers?

I think it is no coincidence that Neil Hannon's worst work came when he decided to trade his suits in for jeans. 'Like trousers, like mind', as Joe Strummer said.

This may sound like the ravings of some deluded, style-over-content, post-romo fop, and frankly, it is. But I think it is fair to say that walking out in front of an audience looking like you've just been scavenging in bins, Badly Drawn Boy, is a direct insult to the people who have come to see you. 'You may have paid good money to be here,' says the bobble hat, 'but you're not worth the effort.'

To qualify, not even a fine pair of Oxford Bags could save Mr Doherty's exercable performance on Saturday - I choose to believe that the effect of said trousers was countermanded by the band's atrocious head-wear. Or maybe there is a scientific principle: not even the highest quality tailoring can survive a talent vacuum.

But this misses the point. If you are a musician who is considering going onstage in his sunday morning house-wear, pull yourself together man, and sort your wardrobe out! We don't go to work in boxer shorts and vests, so what makes you think you can get away with it?

Acoustic Ruffian Prevails

We played, we were a bit rubbish but I feel we are better men for the experience. I felt that the happening needed to be noted. I'm not really sure why. No doubt Thom and Ste can flesh out the bones a little but suffice to say, I don't think that Billy Ruffian Acoustic should happen again for a long time! If we didn't have Wednesday's triumphal home leg of the Filthy Little Angels Summer Tour to keep me going I might be a little down now.

Ballad of Billy Ruffian worked out alright - so much so that I think it's going to be in the set on Wednesday but we'll see how it sounds in rehearsal with the drums just to be on the safe side. So thank you to everyone that came and witnessed the experiment. Honest appraisal can be added in the comments.

You are all coming to...

Visit Manchester for a Night of Filth
Wednesday 27th June / Star & Garter

Filthy Nights in September

We've booked Fuel as the venue for the Filthy Little Angels showcase night in September - it'll be Sunday 23 September.

Fuel has the advantage of being the venue in Manchester that is closest to my bed. Rocking.

They make me blog against my wishes.

Why would Brown even want Campbell in his cabinet, anyway? The man's been made an effective laughing stock in the last year or so and, whilst he was a decent enough spokesman on Foreign Affairs, he could never be a feasible Foreign Secretary who would command any sort of respect. He's long past it, and the sooner his party realise that, the better.

It seems to me that Brown's idea of 'reaching out' to create a 'broad Cabinet' (sounds like a catalogue description) seems to have been created entirely to destabilise the LibDems by making the public associate them with the Lib/Lab pacts of the mid 90s and late 70s. They'll be haemorraging the non-IDS/Howard Tories and the non-Blair Labourites by the bucketload at this rate...

The Multimedia Adventure

We've added a Billy Ruffian Page to the NME website. This will not only help the NME to please their corporate overlords by increasing the level of user-generated content on their site, but also help us on our quest to return more google search results than That bloody David Cordingly book

For those of you who are interested in that sort of thing, bassist Ben-Paul-Ben-Paul-Ben has created what can only be described as a 'multi-faceted online node' to link all our disparate online incarnations together. RuffNet can be found at www.billyruffian.co.uk.

In other news, we're currently working on another FLA showcase night in Manchester, which will happen at the end of September. It just never stops.

Stephen Ruffian has been bullied into blogging on this thing by his Ruffian associates. He is at work (he hates work) and is tired (he hates being tired).

That is all that Stephen Ruffian has to tell you today.

The Understated Approach to PR

This press release has recently come to my attention:

"Once in a lifetime do two mega stars come together. Rarely do such people put aside difference and ego and show the bravery and confidence needed to do something together. And when it happens the people stop, listen and watch. For a moment the world stops..."

Bravery, yes. It must take colossal courage, for R Kelly and Usher to sing a couple of songs together. I imagine there's a lot of soul-baring and anguished falsetto going on, as these two moral giants combine their talents to record a load of songs about how they're so sorry for cheating on their bitch with that skanky-ass stripper.

From the under-siege townspeople of Baqubah to the trades-union activists of Columbia, people from all over the world can follow the example of R Kelly and Usher, and the almost foolhardy bravery of their project.

I wonder if they read this?:
http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Fearless-Love-Work-Life/dp/0316166812

New Blog New Blog

Yesterday we were trying to write a short description in under 150 words of the Billy Ruffian for an NME band profile page thing - you know the sort, it's trendy for everyone to have one now. We tried to submit it but NME's website is so bad that it ate the page and we couldn't be arsed re-entering it all. This is what we went for:

Do you like the Twang? Do you love New Young Pony Club? Then f*#k off. That's right, you heard me. What are you reading about music for? Just turn on Radio One and get spoon fed like everyone else. Billy Ruffian are the hard edged sound of the streets. The streets of Manchester. Streets where there are guns. And knives. Yeah that's right, knives motherf*#ker. The Nu Grime sound of the Ruffian will cut you right across your stomach and your intestines will flop out like rubbish sausages. How do you like that, c*#t? "Sharp-edged, occasionally satirical, often boisterous and sometimes sensitive, indie pop." Steve Lamacq. "A triumph, the best film since Citizen Kane" Paul Ross.

I think it sums us up well. Check our Billy Ruffian Myspace for some example songs.