Biography
THE CONVULSIONS have developed a repertoire comprising 1960’s British RnB with 1990’s punk rock energy and incendiary inventiveness. This sound is the dream come true for founding member Benjamin Ruth, ex-pat from Lancaster, England, who arrived in Chicago in 1993 to learn more about the roots of urban blues, 50’s rock and roll, 60’s soul/RnB, and US 60's Garage punk.
A top notch, highly acclaimed band that has comprised some of Chicago and UK’s finest instrumentalists, a savvy listener can detect echoes of Little Richard, Grant Green, the Yardbirds, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and Stax/Volt, in their energetic, riff based original compositions.
The band comprises a core of bass, drums, guitar, and harmonica. An explosive stage presence and a complete celebration of booty shaking mayhem.
The band founded a musical exchange with the UK seven years running. The Chicago Music Explosion (www.chicagomusicexplosion.com ) saw 6 Chicago acts touring England in 2000 with 5 acts touring top venues again in 2001, 2002 & 2003. 2004 saw the event working with the Arts Council in the UK and the CME signed its first partnership deal with Sonicbids for its 2005 event and has continued to run at least two events a year with Sonicbids as well as additionally bringing over at least two Sonicbids bands a year that have been a part of those events.
The Convulsions have produced a new studio album entitled 'Hole in the Head' in 2007 but also have albums of live recordings at one of Chicago’s top musical venues, the Lyons’ Den (some of tracks are featured on this EPK), and also the Palladium Club in Bideford. Recently, the band has received a lot of attention in the UK: The national Independent newspaper has rated the band one of the top five musical acts, Timeout London often give us pick of the day, Blues Matter’s rated the band one of the best out of the 600 at the recent Great British RnB Festival.
The band has or is receiving airplay in England, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Belgium and in the US (West Virginia, Chicago, and Texas). Shuteye Records distributed the single “Swear its Not You” to 420 US college radio stations in 2001.
The Animals and Friends’ new CD features Ben Ruth’s harmonica on the track slated to be released as a single.
During his stay in the US Ben also cameod on harmonica with the Jam band OAR on many of their Midwest dates.
The Convulsions have played throughout Chicago and the Midwest, Costa Rica and throughout the UK.
Instrumentation
Ben Ruth - Vocals, harmonica, organ, melodian
Thiery Vercammen - Guitar, vocals
Joe Cutler - Bass, vocals
Peter Froggatt - Drums, vocals
Discography
Shaken and Disturbed (LP) - 2001
Come and Get it! (LP) - 2002
Live at the Palladium (EP) - 2003
The Gauntlet (EP)- 2003
Punk at the Den (EP) - 2004
Hole in the Head (LP) - 2007
Cuts from most of these albums are available at www.convulsions.com/sounds
Links
| http://www.convulsions.com |