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BEN RUTH & THE CONVULSIONS

printable biog page 1

Ballistic bunch of aging gits from Lancaster, by way of Chicago, making sweaty fools of themselves in front of an increasingly younger audience while warning them through loud actions and juvenile words not to leave it too late to let go of the balloon.

But who cares. The Convulsions have been voted one of the top bands at Colne Rhythm and Blues Festival in 2003 out of 600 acts (Blues Matters), were top five musical act Dec. 17th 2003 weekend according to the Independent Weekend Review, were Timeout gig of the day Dec. 29th 2003, had an artist feature in Blues Matters in March 2004, and even out sold CD sales of every artist at the last day of the Chicago Blues Festival in 2001 (probably because they were the only band that played original RnB, flatly refused to play Sweet Home Chicago, and drenched the Best Buy Stage in sweat).

The band is establishing a solid touring base in the States as well as regular forays throughout the NW. SW of England and smatterings of London gigs.

The lead screamer and harmonicist, Ben Ruth, is currently a resident of Chicago and has had a head cutting education in blues by the likes of Billy Branch, Joanna Connor, Carlos Johnson and, in the day, Junior Wells.

With the somewhat mad antics of David Bealeon bass, Michael Howard on guitar, and the long suffering Phil Gibson on walkabout drums, the Convulsions present a show of original riff based RnB ala Yardbirds, Little Richard and Wilco Johnson.

To fool everyone, including themselves, the day after a weekend gig the Convulsions often provide a lunchtime session of acoustic 1930's jazz under the name of the Gauntlet Jazz Band (seriously).