The Who, The Clash, The Jam, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, The Police, Blondie, Bruce Springsteen, Velvet Underground, Tony Randall, Jack Klugman
Originally recorded for the CBC, who was at the show recording all three bands’ performances for live broadcast, "Live In Toronto" showcases the magic that was Ruth Ruth: biting lyrics, fierce guitars, a thunderous rhythm section, all played with energy, sweat, and a lot of youthful vigor. It’s what made Ruth Ruth’s "The Catcher in the Rye"-esque sound so powerful.
Of the record, front man Chris Kennedy says in the liner notes: "It’s been a little over a year now since the possibility of releasing a live Ruth Ruth album came up. I’m glad it’s finally happening. This CD is my goodbye to the band and I wanted to go out with a bang. During mixing, hearing the songs over and over, I let myself relive all the memories. What makes me smile when I’m listening in the car are all the imperfections, flat vocals, wrong chords, fast tempos, stupid lyrics. It was fun. I loved playing in a band. We were pretty good. Bang."
And, so it goes. After MTV exposure, tours with Space Hog, Sponge, Everclear, No Doubt, and countless other bands, records on Ventrue/American, Epitaph, and RCA, Ruth Ruth’s legacy comes down to a live record, recorded at the height of their career. If you missed their live shows (and, believe me, if you never saw them live, you missed out), then here is your chance to witness aurally what made Ruth Ruth such a great band. BANG, indeed.
"This record just extends the musical arc of this band's flight. Mature, thoughtful, yet still full of energy. Clever, heartfelt lyrics, great arrangements and skillfully played. A great band, and too talented for the tin ears of the masses." - popmafioso
"The best album Ruth Ruth have ever done." Mark
"Kicks massive pop-ass, the real deal, a refreshing blast of unpretentious, upbeat pure pop fun." - Not Lame www.notlame.com
"Growth Without Compromise...Don’t let these guys slip by. You have got to check this stuff out. The new CD is a wonderful collection of exquisitely crafted pop gems." - Jack Teague @ Ear Candy http://earcandy_mag.tripod.com/
"I literally have listened to it over and over." - Johnny Hate
"Just wanted to say thanks for the ten-year long soundtrack to my life." - Jeff Childers
"Laughing Gallery" was a huge bar to set but I truly believe "Right About Now" exceeds that standard! I love it! ." - 309x615
"...then on october 12th 2007 you'll be like "lets go see marissa in canada" and u'll head up here and arrive on the 13th and be like "HI MARISSA!!!" and i'll be like "OMFG UR HERE ON MY BIRTHDAY!" and u'll be like "really?" and i'll be like "yeah!" and we'll look at eachother really weird and i'll close my door and we'll press our backs up against the door. then out of no where the door will whip open and i'll throw my arms around you and give you the best hug of your life. and you'll be so satisfied that you'll stay in toronto and play a show and then we'll go drinking afterwards and then you guys'll go home on the 14th and be like "that was the best two days of our lives. THE END!" Marissa
Are You My Friend?
"I lost interest when I purchased "Are you my Friend?" I guess you guys blew your wad so to speak..." - Uncle Mikey
"Are You My Friend" is probably one of the greatest cds that i own." - !Barry!
"At first, I really disliked AYMF...Then, as I fell in and out of romantic interludes with a few women, AYMF turned into a soundtrack for my life at the time (ages 19 - 22). It's a great album. Cadillac, Michigan really turned it over for me. Reminded me of Smashing Pumpkins, from their final album. Beautiful melodies...AMAZING!!!" - Amazon.com
"I have to tell you that my favorite album is Are you my friend. It was actually one of the first cd's of mine that I was able to listen to all the way through without skipping songs. Hard to believe, I know. But so true, so I thought I would just let you know." - euphoria convinces us we are free
The Little Death
"The Little Death"was my soundtrack for my breakup with my ex Julia...hahah...." - Billigan Skywalker
"The Little Death" is eighteen minutes of brilliant pop music, catchier than Ebola and more fun than three Rugburns in an open bar. Sounding like a cross between Down by Law, Cheap Trick and any of a half-dozen cheesy grunge bands, Ruth Ruth combines the best of punk, alternative, 70's guitar rock and 80's new wave. Singer Chris Kennedy has (to continue with comparisons) all the blue-eyed soul charm of a Graham Parker, Dave Smalley or Paul Weller. His scratchy soul stylings perfectly suit the catchy, driving rhythms which are so infectious you might actually want to start singing along. The album sounds raw, spontaneous and totally unhindered by the usual shit which bogs down most studio recordings. This "Little Death" may quite possibly be the perfect EP. (TOM)
"This New York band debuted last year with the wonderful Laughing Gallery, and are back with a few more gems up their sleeves. We've heard this sort of hooky, aggressive power-pop from groups such as the Meices and the Doughboys, but the Ruth's secret weapon is vocalist Chris Kennedy. Actually, his vigorous, belting, yet extremely soulful pipes are less of a secret weapon, and more an integral part of the band's frenzied panache. Kennedy has the ability to turn a song such as The Little Death's simple pop-punky Tenderlung into something of an anthem." - Big Takeover
"i've got the little death, and it's pretty scary, lyrics wise. but still good. x" - team love - shut it girlpants.!
"I listened to Jerome last week, first time in a long time, and thought "Shit, that's a fucking good song."" - Steve Corpse
Brainiac/Love Potion No. 10 - 45 RPM
"When my needle set down on Brainiac, I was hit with a solid brick wall of sound. Kind of like the first couple of Who albums way back when. As stinging and memorable as a case of the clap!" - Music Paper
"This band is so good I wish they would have gotten more attention after their first album. They did a really good EP on deep elm with epitaph distro i think. Brett Gurewitz produced it and played some guitars on it and it is really really good. Ive found it at both stores near me that sell used records. go find it. This 7' sounds less like their full lengths and more like the aforementioned ep which is a good thing. I think YOU should buy this. Really. trust me on this one. Please, do yourself a favor. This is just good music. I mostly listen to punk, but this is something different and something really good, its pop but has some dark lyrics. Not cheesy dark lyrics like most of todays screamo boy bands but really kind of um, i dunno, dark lyrics that you actually think are true, nothing about slitting wrists and throats and gouging eyes, stuff that you know wouldn't happen because all band members have throats wrists and eyes intact. Go buy it." - Paul from Goleta, CA
"Your brain made you great! The rest doesn't count!" - Dr.Ood from the 1959 German film, "The Head"
Laughing Gallery
"A truly impressive debut from a band that emerged from NYC's tough-as-nails club scene, Laughing Gallery is a rare treat. Ruth Ruth is a Punk-fueled trio with a knack for catchy pop melodies and enticing lyrics that grab the listener's ears with a vengeance. Singer/bassist Chris Kennedy's songs belie the angst and alienation he's really expressing. Ruth Ruth's aggressive musical veneer suits the material superbly - these are excellent musicians that like to Rock out in the mode of the Sex Pistols or Green Day and they have chops to spare. Laughing Gallery's overall catchiness should deservedly spread the word about Ruth Ruth further than their downtown stomping grounds."
"4 Stars - Excellent - ...fiercely neurotic, shamelessly tuneful Power Pop..." - Q Magazine
"It is a shame such a great album is going for $.01. This album will match any power pop/power punk group going right now. They were probably just a bit before their time. Every song is catchy. I absolutely love this album. Could do without the cussing, but other than that. Put your seatbelt on, because it is like a dragster. Fast and catchy. Enjoy." - Amazon.com
"Good to see that you're still out there. Hope all is good n' keep on killing prom queens." - Grrrg
"During it's first week on the radio, Ruth Ruth's "Uninvited," off of their "Laughing Gallery" LP, was the second most added track on alternative radio, including KUKQ, KUPD and KROC as well as being added to MTV's 120 Minutes and Alternative Nation." - "Music Voice" magazine
"Going through some old cd's I came across Laughing Gallery. It was the anthem of my college days." - Bree
"Ruth Ruth - Yeah I remember them, the video for Uninvited was on MTV Europe a lot." - Mykii* Glitzine
"I remember going out shovelling snow for the entire day to make $10 to go to the mall and buy the tape." - Cocoa Beware
"I got Laughing Gallery for 49 cents." - Jesus Christ, Inc.
"this album is great. they had one hit (uninvited) that i saw on MTV quite a while ago, about 2-4 years. the whole album is smashing though. i killed meg the prom queen is a personal favorite of mine. the happy sounding music is deceptive at first but then if you listen to the lyrics closer you hear the sadistic and pessimistic views of the band. this band is perfect for the pessimist inside of you....the deceptive sounds are what draw me to it the most, that and this guys voice. he has such an original sound it is amazing to hear. i highly reccomend this album to anyone that likes anything from pop to punk. it is amazing!" - demoness_x
"Sometimes I listen to a record and I press the proverbial "record" button in my mind and then that record forever encompasses that moment in my life...that's Laughing Gallery." - Silvia
Hey you, an addition to the family? I didn't even know he was born! Milo has a baby brother to play with. Awesome. I bet he's stoked! It seems everyone is getting married, having babies, adding on to the family, porch, et cetera. That's fantastic! =) (she smiles when she thinks of Mr. & Mrs. Kennedy with two little ones, yellow dog, pink house, and an afternoon at a NYC park)
I know i've been saying this for what, ?...six years now, but I promise i will eventually come visit you guys and the kids in NY and maybe RuthRuth will play some tunes somewhere in a remote alley where pizza is served, the show will benefit little ones or something like that; we can exchange books, recipes, and pictures of our kiddos. Whatsayyou?
---{i'll be there when i can sell my banjo that i don't have.}
Also, I am in a band that is going to doing 3 cover shows were we each pick a band and cover 6 of their songs. I picked Ruth Ruth, since you are my fave band...I am pretty excited about it.
I want to read an exciting new book, so I'm going to look into that vampire one you suggested. ( i still have Murakami on my bookshelf too, thanks) And I, Mr. Kennedy, have a band to suggest. Beruit. If you look at my page again sometime, I posted a blog titled 'Elephant Gun', which is one of their videos. It's fantastic music, though. Sort of a cross between, or shall I say, Serge Gainsbourg (France) meets Cake (USA). It's pretty interesting. You should check them out. I think you'd dig it.
oh, yes, baby. Brucshetta, strangely some of the baguette slices had fresh mozarella with basil and tomatoes, the others were with minced mushrooms and olive oil. We went to Vegas for my girlfriend's sister's birthday bash. I think I told you once that I go to San Fran every (May 17) for my birthday, and I'll be there in two weeks again. I'm stoked! I can't wait!!! How's Milo? And your wife? Are you guys planning on having anymore cutie pies? And when are you coming to L.A.? I wanna see you. I miss our talks.
i found you on cdbaby and i have been looking for music like yours! once i have more than ten dollars in my bank i'll invest in some tunes, haha. -colleen
Chris... I just now saw that transmission on the monsters dancing... so, you are reading Vampire Hunter D novels by Hideyuki Kikuchi? I'll have to check them out. Maybe I'll send you this short story I'm working on when I'm finished with it. It's four short short stories, all interconnected, (title is the same) about a modern day girl, Lucia, entrapped by crossing paths with an immortal vampire and vigilant watchman old man called Julian Terasis, all three trying to find a map simultaneously. =) I can't wait to hear the new CD. I'm so stoked for you guys! Are you coming to LA to do a show any time soon? If so, maybe I can see you backstage.
Got the new CD yesterday and I can't get enough. Very cool to have this memento of sorts even though I wasn't at the Toronto show. I always love seeing old tour dates included in the CD artwork and looking at what other bands were rocking during that time (Frogpond, wow, I remember those chicks. Especially the red headed drummer). Ah, the early to mid 90s, what a good time for great alternative/punk music. Thanks Ruth Ruth!
p.s. Live in Toronto: I'm there. (reCord shop in LA where Bob Dylan's face is stenciled in spray paint on pavement.) "I'm proud of you, and stoaked," (she says, clapping her hands, smiling.)
I ordered mine from Amazon back on Tuesday, and Mr. UPS just brought it to the office. It's blaring in my cubicle!!! Pure GREATNESS!!! Too bad I was only 15 back during this tour. Had no idea you guys played with Tripping Daisy and the Nixons. Two of my favorite local bands.
Are You My Friend?
The Little Death
Brainiac/Love Potion No. 10 - 45 RPM
Laughing Gallery
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