RUFFIANS is a Jacksonville, FL-based quartet once heralded by Jacksonville's Folio Weekly as the city's "best coiffed rock-n'-roll band," RUFFIANS is more known for a catalog of explosive post-punk and captivating live shows than glorious hairstyles.
2011 not only marked the release of Obstacle, the band's first full-length, but a renewed focus on spreading RUFFIANS' fan base throughout Florida and elsewhere.
The 10-track DIY release Obstacle is a 44 minute foray into power-pop, post-punk, and prog rock that maintains the cohesive aggressive, yet catchy sound that has become RUFFIANS' trademark. Obstacle is not the first time RUFFIANS have spent time in the studio. Other releases include The Demo EP, "Cat Song/Educated Idiot" and "Wedding Day/Robbie" singles, and contributions to local compilations.
Beginning in 2008, RUFFIANS started as an homage to alternative pioneers The Smiths and were named Rusholme Ruffians, from the Smiths song of the same name. As the tribute act-era wound down, the band chose a path that took the band's other tastes into account. The Ruffians sound still reflects the Smiths influence, but bands as diverse as The Who, Blondie, King Crimson, Bad Religion, Queen. and New Order can be heard among a countless list of others.
Thanks to RUFFIANS touting only original songs, they have been fortunate to share the stage with nationally and globally known acts like 100 Monkeys (feat. Jackson Rathbone of Twilight), Hypernova (Iran), NOMORE, Oma's Zwerge (Germany), and Feeding Fingers.
Nicole Pascale—Vox, Keys
Jay Stamper— Guitars
Jon Lorimier—Drums
Ernie Douglass—Bass
