Ruckus : Ruckus

Imagine a world where The Boys stumbled into a portal that transcended space and time in the middle of writing their seminal debut album, and emerged in Boston in 1981, shortly after the release of Gang Green’s Another Wasted Night. I’m no theoretical physicist, but I know enough about cause and effect to tell you that the results would almost certainly sound exactly like Ruckus’ debut 12” - a rock’n’roll party full of melody and a dedication to writing the perfect pop song, with the sandpaper-throated vocals and full-pelt energy of some of the greatest hardcore punk ever recorded. Pretty great, right? You betcha.

Ruckus hail from the aforementioned Boston via New York, centred around the vocals and lyrics of Kam Lindsey (once of oi faves The Stance). They’re fleshed out by former members of The New York Hounds (drummer Alex Palazzo and rhythm guitarist Brian Crozier), plus bassist Mario DaCosta, with absolutely smokin’ lead guitars from Nick Norrman (Ingrates) and Ethan Stahl (The Prize, Loose Lips). They’re also very clearly excellent, as backed up by the six songs here. There’s yet another timeline where Night Cruisin’ is the greatest hit The Barracudas couldn’t quite keep in their back pocket; where Hot In The City is the song that sends David Peel & The Lower East Side on their way to world domination; where Talk Ain’t Cheap Enuff catapults The New York Dolls into an overwhelmingly successful level of fame and fortune. Reader, I do not live in that world but I’m grateful for the glimpses provided by this fun-as-fuck, self-titled record.

It’s a non-stop but all-too-brief party. It’s the sound of glorious pub rock made more powerful by the emergence of punk. It’s an injection of adrenaline, straight into your heart. It’s a mighty debut and a must-have, if we all know what’s good for us. Bring the muthafuckin’ Ruckus, indeed.