Ruder Than You

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Ruder Than You
Country	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Years active	1989–present
Genres	Ska, Reggae
Members	Freddie Weaver Doug Dubrosky John Woodman Don Pancoe Rod Martino Chris Klimchak
Past members	Trish Johnson (1989-1998)

Ruder Than You is an American ska band that was founded in 1989 at Penn State University and, in 1991, the group relocated to Philadelphia. While ska and reggae stylings have always provided the common musical thread, over the past 15 plus years Ruder Than You has been mixing in dancehall reggae, hip hop, rocksteady, and rub-a-dub – even adding elements of funk, jazz, and punk - to create their own unique sound.

In 1992, Moon Records, officially MoonSKA NYC, put out their debut album, Big Step, and its follow-up Horny for Ska in 1996. By the mid 1990’s the group had morphed from a five-piece into a nine-piece outfit and captured a loyal following in the Philadelphia and New York areas. The group toured nationally, regularly opening up for groups like the Skatalites, Steel Pulse, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Desmond Dekker, Ziggy Marley, Special Beat, Bad Manners, Fishbone, Yellowman, Eek a Mouse, and No Doubt. Ruder Than You CDs were internationally released in Japan and England, and songs can be found on dozens of ska compilations around the globe.

Currently, with Moon Records defunct, the band is releasing their long-awaited third album, Philly Stylee, on their own God’s Ghetto Records label. The CD features the late Trish Johnson on bari-sax and several top Philadelphia guest musicians including jazz trumpeter, John Swana. Philly Stylee was recorded in spurts during the Third-wave ska trend between 1996 and 1999 with final vocal overdubs and mixes completed in 2004. Philly Stylee's lengthy production was due to many factors affecting the band. This included the demise of the band’s former label Moon Records, a 3-year incarceration of lead singer and toaster Freddie "3D" Weaver, and the death of bari-sax player Trish Johnson, who was killed in a late night car accident in 1998 while returning from a solo jazz performance. Despite these obstacles, after taking a nearly 3-year hiatus, the band began rehearsals again in 2003 and completed the CD. The band’s current roster is packed with veteran members: singer Freddie Weaver, Doug Dubrosky on vocals and tenor sax, Don Pancoe on bass, Rod Martino on guitar, Chris Klimchak on trombone, and drummer John Woodman. Dave Rossi, who also performed with SGR, has filled in on drums since 2004.

[edit] Discography

Big Step - Moon Records - 1992
Horny For Ska - Moon Records - 1996
Philly Stylee - God’s Ghetto Records - 2005

[edit] Compilations

The Shack - 1993 Dojo Limited/BIB Records, contains the song "Get Some Peace" .
United Colors of SKA - 1993 Pork Pie Records, contains the song "I Want Justice".
Ska The Third Wave - 1995 Continuum Records, contains the song "Swallow Blood".
Ska The Third Wave Volume II - 1996 Shanachie Records, contains the song "Misskaculation".
Rude Vibes: The Ultimate Collection of New Skool Ska - 1996 Do The Dog Music, contains the song "Uncle Albert".
SKAndalous: I’ve Gotcha Covered - 1996 Shanachie Records, contains Ruder Than You’s version of Black Sabbath’s "Paranoid".
Oi-Skampilation Volume II - 1996 Radical Records, contains the song "I Want Justice".
SKA: Cover it Up - 1997 Beloved Records, contains live versions of "Misskaculation" and "Paranoid".
Deamons - 1997 Skully Enterprises, contains a live version of "Future Girl".
SKAndalous: I’ve Gotcha Covered - Volume II - 1997 Shanachie Records, features Ruder Than You’s version of The Beatles’ "Tax Man".
SKA: The Instrumentals - 1997 Beloved Records, contains the song "Swatara".
Freedom Sounds: A Tribute to the Skatalites - 1997 Shanachie Records, contains Ruder Than You’s Version of "El Pussycat".
Dancin’ Mood - 1997 Triple Crown Records, contains a live version of "Uncle Albert".