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Tonight’s gig promises to be a ‘one-off’ musical experience, memorable as well as emotional.
We are gathered at The Islington Academy in aid of a special benefit show for Punk outfit The Ruts’ guitarist Paul Fox, who sadly, has been recently diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer.
Paul Fox’s career, spanning over thirty years, has seen him being a member of so many interesting bands, touching so many musical genres. From Prog. Rock with Aslan back in 1975 to good old Rock’n’Roll with Hit And Run, to Punk and Reggae with tonight’s headliners The Ruts, to his latest incarnation Foxy’s Ruts, and too many to name in between. Mr Fox is also and rightfully considered one of the best guitar player of his generation.
The forthcoming performance cannot give us 100% Ruts’ original line-up due to singer Malcolm Owen’s untimely death in 1980 and this is where the almighty Henry Rollins comes into play.
“Henry Rollins sings The Ruts” has a really nice ring to it and I know that it will also be a feast for the eyes.
As this is meant to be a unique performance, we expect no less than a unique performer and our saviour has come all the way from California to spend time with one of his favourite band, learn and rehearse the songs.
As, in the middle of the afternoon, I bump into Henry, he is sitting backstage, lonesome, playing The Ruts on his i-Pod, reciting the words with the studious dedication only he is able to. He confesses that listening to The Ruts your whole life, knowing the songs by heart and performing with the band in front of an audience are entirely different matters.
Realising that my all time hero is capable of feeling nervous and somewhat vulnerable was a first to me but I liked it.
The evening has now reached the point where The Ruts are expected on stage. Dave Ruffy and Segs take to their bass and drums, a smiling Mr Fox grabs his guitar, Henry gets hold of his mic. All to roof lifting cheers.
We are obviously looking forward to a roll call of classics getting the Rollins’ treatment and that’s exactly what we are going to get, starting with “Something That I said” , followed by “Staring At The Rudeboys”, “S.U.S” and “Shine On Me”.
As Henry mercilessly rips the venue to bits, appropriates himself the stage and takes no fucking prisoners, it would be easy to believe that he has been a fully fledged member of The Ruts since day one.
The band’s performance takes me through an emotional roller coaster.
On the up I am feeling mesmerised and elated by the events happening before my eyes added to the facts that I am finally getting to hear so many classics played live. Right now Rollins is less than a yard away from me, tunefully screaming into his mic, intensely staring at the audience. An interesting sea of young punkers and old skool punks, [old being the operative word here], faded tattoos galore, tired mohawks aplenty standing next to men in suits. To say that the crowd is eclectic is an understatement but the moshing is getting serious.
Before The Ruts, it was The Damned, before that The UK Subs, and in between so many more....just like all my birthdays and Christmases coming all at once. Then it’s time to remember the reason why we are assembled tonight. As I observe an ill looking Paul, energetically strumming his guitar, looking right at home, on a stage, entertaining adoring fans, I can’t help but think that all the dignity in the world cannot stop this man, his family and friends from going through hell. I also like to remind myself that this could be any of us and as early as tomorrow.
Female vocalist and visual artist Molara takes centre stage for a superb rendition of anthemic “Jah War”. Henry is back on duty with “Babylon’s Burning” but really it’s more a case of the Islington Academy being on fire.
One more, “Society” before la grande finale...”In A Rut” with Molara joining Henry and the unexpected stage invasion by previous performers, Captain Sensible, Max Splodge, T.V Smith...for an unforgettable singalong. Their own way to thank us for being witnesses to this special event.
Despite leaving looking content, [but clearly moved], Paul is unable to make it back to the stage for an encore. We are reminded that regardless of the great party atmosphere, appearances can be deceptive and Mr Fox is in poor health and cannot give anymore than the 120% he has already given us tonight.
For that he should be eternally respected and admired.
For me the 16th of July 2007 will be archived as one of the greatest musical affair I was privileged to live through, something to tell over and over again but it did end on a bittersweet note as I saw Mr Fox, too exhausted to stand, being physically helped to his car.
We love you Paul Fox.
Words and Pictures: Florence ACHERY
www.myspace.com/paulfoxtheruts
www.myspace.com/foxysrutsuk
Special thanks to Sarah Pink of PeaFish Promotions for organising this superb event. |
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