After meeting at the Deeply Vale Free Festival, The Ruts were formed on 18 August ]1977, the band consisted of Malcolm Owen (vocals), Paul Fox (guitar), John "Segs" Jennings (bass) and Dave Ruffy (drums).[1] As part of the Misty in Roots People Unite collective based in Southall, west London, the band were active in anti-racist causes and played a number of benefits for Rock Against Racism.
On 11 February 1980, the band returned to a BBC studio for their third Peel session, two tracks of which - "Demolition Dancing" and "Secret Soldiers" - later appeared on Virgin's posthumous Grin & Bear It album.
By this time singer Malcolm Owen was suffering with health problems; a combination of sore throats and a heroin addiction. A UK tour was arranged, the 'Back to Blighty' tour, but a number of dates had to be cancelled due to Owen's condition. What turned out to be the last Ruts gig with Malcolm took place at Plymouth Polytechnic on 26 February 1980.
Many of the Ruts best gigs were RAR (Rock Against Racism) gigs with Misty in Roots, and Jah War was written in response to the Southall Riots where the police attacked the Anti-Nazi League that were protesting a National Front march through the predominantly British Indian Southall area.
The Ruts, in their attitude, politics and music were truly representative of the best Punk had to offer. Sadly we were never to discover how they would develop as Malcom Owen, their charismatic front man, died of a heroin overdose on 14th July 1980, aged 26.
S.U.S.
The Ruts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This cop comes up, their giving me the SUS
They said ‘Hey sonny, I think you're in our file.
Well, you better come with us for a while'
We got you on SUS
You look to obvious
You better come with us
We got you on SUS
So they shake me down
Try to make me look like a clown
I just stare at the ground
You better come with us
(We got you on SUS)
You look too obvious
(You better come with us)
And don't make no fuss
(Too obvious)
You better come with us
(Don't make no fuss)
We got you well,
We got you on SUS
Solo
You look too obvious
(We got you on SUS)
You better come with us
(You look too obvious)
And don't make no fuss
(You better come with us)
We got you on SUS
(You better come with us)
Don't make no fuss
(You better come with us)
We got you on SUS
(You better come with us)
We got you well
(You better come with us)
We got you well
We got you in SUS
The Ruts' song "S.U.S." is an abbreviation for "Stop and Search." The song describes a situation where a person is waiting for a bus on the street, and a police officer approaches them, saying they are in the police file and that they want to take them for questioning. The individual is reported to have been caught and taken for questioning due to a a stop and search.
The lyrics of the song express the confusion, anger, and frustration that the singer feels as he is taken for questioning without any clear reason. The lyrics are forceful and confrontational, with the singer being told that he has been caught even though he has no idea what he has done wrong. The song's pace is demanding, with a heavy bass line and fast punk rock drumming, reflecting the singer's feelings of being trapped and cornered.
Overall, "S.U.S." can be seen as a song that is critical of police tactics such as stop and search that were prevalent in the UK during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Ruts address issues of police brutality, unfair targeting of minority groups, and over-policing in certain communities. The song also talks about the culture of harassment and intimidation that some individuals experience on the streets and reflects their grievances against the system.
Line by Line Meaning
Down in the street just waiting for a bus
The singer is simply waiting for a bus on the street when approached by a police officer
This cop comes up, their giving me the SUS
The police officer is accusing the singer of being under suspicion (SUS)
They said ‘Hey sonny, I think you're in our file.
The police officer suspects the singer has a prior criminal record
Well, you better come with us for a while'
The artist is being detained and taken into custody by the police
We got you on SUS
The police have evidence to support their belief that the artist is under suspicion
You look to obvious
The singer's appearance or behavior is making it easy for the police to suspect them
And don't make no fuss
The police are warning the singer not to cause trouble or resist their arrest
So they shake me down
The police are physically searching the artist for any illegal items
Try to make me look like a clown
The police are attempting to humiliate or dehumanize the artist by treating them like a joke
I just stare at the ground
The artist is feeling powerless and defeated in the face of the police's actions
We got you well
The police have a strong case against the singer and are confident in their ability to prosecute them
We got you in SUS
The artist is officially under suspicion and will likely face charges
Contributed by Mason F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
street spirit
Down in the street just waiting for a bus
This cop comes up, their giving me the SUS
They said? Hey sonny, I think you're in our file.
Well, you better come with us for a while'
We got you on SUS
You look to obvious
You better come with us
And don't make no fuss
We got you on SUS
So they shake me down
Try to make me look like a clown
I just stare at the ground
You better come with us
(We got you on SUS)
You look too obvious
(You better come with us)
And don't make no fuss
(Too obvious)
You better come with us
(Don't make no fuss)
We got you well,
We got you on SUS
Solo
You look too obvious
(We got you on SUS)
You better come with us
(You look too obvious)
And don't make no fuss
(You better come with us)
We got you on SUS
(You better come with us)
Don't make no fuss
(You better come with us)
We got you on SUS
(You better come with us)
We got you well
(You better come with us)
We got you well
We got you in SUS
rrbh
Phenomenal guitar tone. Foxy stood head and shoulders above the pack.
Juan Espinosa
The Ruts, what a timeless band playing timeless and utter fantastic music, far beyond just 1977's first wave punk. Such a cool track mixing no nonsense punk rock with dub. RIP Malcolm Owen and Paul "Foxy" Fox. Fortunately there are still 2 Ruts active in Ruts DC (or 3 if you count in Henry Rollins who's a full Ruts member IMO after their fantastic July 16th 2007 benefit concert). Very recommended! I have the Peel Sessions album shown in the photo carrousel. It "only" cost me 90 bucks in a 2nd hand store (the guy knew the gem he had in his hands) but well worth the dough.
Peter Panic
"...Well, That Information About Henry Rollins Has Just Blown My Lid Off!!"
Ron Richardson
Most awesome drumming ever
Sarah Knight
I saw The Ruts when I was 17 in 1980, in Cardiff Wales UK. Best band I ever saw!
Tony C
Fair play I was out me head in Deeply Vale and all that ponsy Hippy music going on decided to get me head down, Missed the fukkas, remember the Devil's Helmsmen and a burning cross on the hill side. Chilling.
Terry Mumford
Remember seeing The Ruts at Scamps in Southend in 1979 shortly after the release of 'The Crack'. Not many of us in the audience but most of 'em were screaming and gobbing along with this tune and need I say it - 'Human Punk'. Truly memorable concert!!!
NORTHERN BEACHES PA HIRE
Still relevant and still as fresh as the day it came off the press!
Mal Galloway
A kick- ass little gem of a number. R.I.P. MALCOLM.
thedok
The drums on this are marvellous.