Billy Ruffian (band)

The band began to take formation in July 2005 and, with a settled line-up, played their first gig in November that year. A steady stream of gigs followed from January 2006 and, following the release of a low-budget split EP entitled "Late Arrivals" in February, the band headed to a recording studio in March to record their first four tracks. The tracks – "Death of a Band", "Preensters", "Leaving Soon" and "(My Girlfriend Is Like A) Trojan Horse" were self-released by the band in April, with a second issue (omitting "Leaving Soon") following a couple of months later.

Some drastic line-up changes followed the re-release of ‘Death of a Band’, and by August the band was floundering, due to the departure of their drummer. It was not until October when, following an invitation to play at Chris Chinchilla’s farewell party, the band took the decision to carry on as a three piece (with drum machine). After a few shaky gigs, Billy Ruffian came to embrace the new technology and ‘Death of a Band’ finally found an official release on Filthy Little Angels’ Christmas compilation "Hark! The Filthy Angels Sing". This three-man lineup would remain stable for the next three years.

Having already recorded a few new tracks for another self-released EP, Billy Ruffian soon found themselves having to write and record several more tracks when Filthy Little Angels signed them up to record an album in January 2007.

Recorded during the Spring, My Secret Life was released at the end of May to varied reviews, including a 4 star ‘album of the week’ review from Manchester Music.,[1] a 3 star 'High Voltage' review as well as further positive reviews from Sandman magazine and Music Towers. Some other sources, however, were not so charitable; the band was also derided as a "pseudo-public school" outfit led by "some faux dandy in a cheap suit".[2] The "Spring Sampler EP" featuring five FLA acts preceded the album and coincided with the band's first tour.

The next month, the songs "Music vs. Money" and "Whipping Boy" were taken from My Secret Life and released on an accompanying single along with the non-album cut "My Secret Life". The single was a split single with "The Art Goblins" as part of Filthy Little Angels’ Singles Club, and was awarded 'Single of the week' by the NME. The Billy Ruffian tracks were judged by many to be the best tracks in the package.

Struck by the shock factor of former Shadow Home Secretary David Davis’ resignation on 12 June 2008 to fight the Haltemprice and Howden by-election, BR vocalist Stephen Ruffian began writing lyrics on the subject the next day, from Davis’ own point of view. After finishing the lyrics with help from guitarist Thom, the band recorded the song on the 17th with their bassist/producer Ben Paul and, with a video compiled in a lengthy all-night session by Stephen, unleashed both song and video to the world via YouTube on Monday 23 June. An eleven-day turnaround from event to result.

Upon sending links to various blogs, interest in the song and video, "The Most Unlikely Civil Liberties Defender of All" snowballed. Political blogs throughout the land featured it, including that of Guido Fawkes, the most read political blogger in the UK. Interest culminated in a mention by John Humphrys on the Radio 4 Today Show on 27 June. Thom Cuell later blogged about this event on his website.

Intermittent recording continued towards the end of the year.

Following the departure of their bassist/producer, re-recruitment of founder member Sam on guitar and movement of Thom from guitar to bass, the band rested, rehearsed and recreated more drum tracks for a while before returning later that year with a self-released song/video for "The Cat That Became Prime Minister" as well as having an older track chosen for a combined Oxfam/Manchester Music Christmas single.

2010 saw a human drummer being recruited and tracks recorded for the 'Cabinet of Curiosity' album tied in with the multi-artist Manchester based Music/Arts project of the same name. Following the departure of Sam, the group struggled on with temporary bassists for a time before finally splitting in the summer of 2011 due to "irreconcilable sexual differences".

Following singer Stephen's disillusionment at the poor quality of various live acts he was watching in 2013, he put out a call to his former bandmates to see if they wished to rehearse again. Both Thom and Rob answered in the positive and, with one of their temporary late-period bassists in tow, they began rehearsing again in June, and subsequently writing new material.

An 11 track compilation, "10 Greatest Hits" began doing the rounds of various Indiepop labels and radio stations in the Summer of 2013.

The first 'comeback' gig took place in October, supporting former labelmate's Ivan Hell's "Songs of Death" project. This was followed in 2014 by a recording session, resulting in the "Carry On Billy Ruffian" EP released in June 2015, shortly before the band played the 'Going Up The Country' festival. A live album of the gig saw release shortly afterwards.

2016 opened with recordings for a new single and preparations for another acoustic gig.

• Stephen Ruffian (lead vocals)
• Thom Cuell (guitar)
• Rob Goodison (drums)
• Andy Brownridge (bass guitar)

• Official MySpace
• Manchester Music ‘My Secret Life’ review
• Sandman Magazine ‘My Secret Life’ review
• High Voltage ‘My Secret Life’ review
• Music Towers ‘My Secret Life’ review
• Stop Me Blog review of the FLA Singles Club