“You were born and you will die

That’s the least interesting things about your life

It’s the bit in the middle that you gotta try…
you don’t know what’s round the corner, do you?”

(Live a Bit – Rudebeard/Drysdale)

RUDEBEARD formed around Fifeish punk-philosopher Rod Drysdale, former frontman of the notorious Scottish hardcore outfit, the Newtown Grunts.

After years of howling all the very worst swear words in the world’s face, Rod fancied doing something a bit more warm and welcoming.

And what could be warmer than ska, eh?

Uniting musician pals from Scottish ska scene originals The Amphetameanies, Capone & the Bullets, The Banditos, and Big Fat Panda, Rudebeard have built a deserved reputation for putting on one hell of a show, based around their own songs, their own sound, and absolutely none of that comedy-cardboard-porkpie-hat cover band pish.

From cider festivals to rudeboy weekenders, far-flung islands to city-centre sweatboxes, Rudebeard have been ripping up stages all over the UK, made a lot of friends, and had a damn good time while doing it.

These days Rod swears a whole lot less too. He hasn’t said the c-word into a live microphone for … ooh now… it must be weeks… maybe even a month.