In a market flooded with
cover bands and tribute acts, where everyone knows someone who can play a
guitar or is starting “a really great new band,” what does it take for a band
to be unique? In an area where the best local groups stay viable for a few
years tops what keeps a band together, popular and working consistently for
over ten years? Is there some secret formula, magic recipe? These are questions
to which every band starting out and some that have been playing together for
quite some time would love answers. Well, there is a local band that has
developed there own formula to accomplish all of the aforementioned feats, and
they’re still going strong.
I first was introduced to Rukkus about seven years ago. I
was in an original acoustic trio that often played the ‘Friday night happy
hour’ at Milligan’s in Owensboro.
Each Friday when our last set was done we’d hurry to break down equipment and
clear off the stage to make room for the night’s main event, which generally
consisted of a local cover band and their wall of amps. On occasion we’d hang
out for a tasty beverage (or four) and see what that night’s entertainment had
to offer. Now I’m not going to lie, often original musicians are elitists. The
two guys that I wrote and played with at the time were no exception, so to say
we watched all cover bands with a critical eye and relatively low expectations
would be a fair statement.
One Friday in particular the manager of Milligan’s, and
good friend, told me I really needed to stick around for Rukkus’ show. As I
said she was a friend so she knew my prejudices and I had to ask, “What makes
this one so different?” “You’ll just have to see their show Carolyn.”
I don’t remember what their first song was to be honest.
I couldn’t tell you what they did second for that matter. Here, however, is
what I do recall from that first experience; by the time they ended song three
the energy in that bar was palpable. I was shocked! To this day I haven’t seen
another band locally create an atmosphere that like. The bar was packed,
everyone was dancing and having a
great time, the lead singer was selling shots (to the entire bar) like a used
car salesman pushing a jalopy, and if there was anyone without a smile on their
face I certainly couldn’t see them. They were/are all good musicians don’t get
me wrong. In fairness though there are a lot of good musicians in the area.
However you would be hard pressed to find better showmen.
It’s always easy to give all the credit for a bands
success to the lead singer and Eric Ross is no exception. He is charismatic,
funny, energetic and determined. According to a conversation I had with one of
his band mates, guitarist Scott Thompson, Eric will not rest until everyone in
that bar is connected some how with the band. “Eric will focus in on the one
person in the crowd that looks upset and won’t let up until they’re having
fun,” Thompson said. And although Eric may get a lot of the glory the last
thing he does is take himself too seriously. He recalls for me, “In the
beginning we sucked, we just weren’t that good. When Scott and I started the
band neither of us had ever been in one before; so we went out and saw what
other people were doing. We had to make decisions; are we going to play what we
like or what people want to hear? You realize the labels are signing sixteen
year olds, and you realize there are a lot of other talented musicians. So we
decided we wanted to be entertainers.”
“We want to have
fun and we want the crowd to have fun,” he continued. “If Scott and I have to
pour beer on each other for that to happen then that’s what we’ll do. I think
people like to see me fall off stage, it makes them laugh and I’m laughing
too.”
Still going strong after over thirteen years and some
member changes how can they still keep it fresh? I think the answer is pretty
simple actually; this is a band of musicians that really love what they do,
love to entertain, and care a whole lot about each other and every person who
comes to see them. “We’re like a family,” drummer John Martin shares in
reference to the relationship between himself and fellow band members Eric,
Scott, bass player and vocalist (as well as classically trained pianist) Jane
Rhodes, and sound man turned lead guitarist Brian Gafford.
Family or not, the relationship between not only the band
members – but more importantly – between the band and the crowd is undeniable.
Whether you’ve seen Rukkus before and want to hang out with some old friends
while they put on a show for you, or if you haven’t and want to make new
friends that will certainly put a smile on your face, a night with these guys
is tough to beat. For all Rukkus upcoming show dates (along with a few original
tracks) check them out at myspace.com/rukkusrocks2007, or you can catch them at
Milligan’s this month on the 19th or 20th. Go make some
noise.
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