The Ruggs

The Ruggs formed in 2007 under the moniker Oatmeal, and began infiltrating the Detroit music scene in '08. Fifty shows in 10 months allowed the Ruggs to cut their teeth in front of audiences across Michigan. The Ruggs believe in creating music in many flavors, as long as it results in booty shaking. Drawing insperation from our mother the universe, Gustave klimt and everything under the sun.!Garage rock, punk, hard funk, soul, boogie woogie, indie rock, psychedelia, noise. Any of these labels would apply. To see a Ruggs show is to be exposed to many genres and top notch, gimick free musicianship. Ivan picked up the guitar at a late age, but upon hearing him play one would be inclined to believe his parents isolated him from human contact until he could play every song off of Axis: Bold as Love. His vocals are much like a Marc Bolan-Isaac Brock (of Modest Mouse) lovechild. Rob's bass playing is like a sonic smoothie with James Jamerson, Flea, Mike Watt, and Joe Lally as it's constituant parts. He's also known to have a voice like an angel. Johnny epitomizes tasteful percussion at it's finest. Is he Steven Drozd? Is he Chad Smith? Mitch Mitchell? No. He is Johnny Naife, and his chops are so tastey.