Formed in 2004, in Midland, Ontario, Born Ruffians is comprised of Luke LaLonde (vocals/guitar), Mitch Derosier (bass) and Steven Hamlin (drums). After promoting a self-titled debut EP in 2006, they released their first full album in 2007, labeled “Red, Yellow & Blue.”
Having toured with diverse acts such as Franz Ferdinand, Peter Bjorn and John, Caribou, Girl Talk, and Tokyo Police Club, Born Ruffians is known for its dynamic stage presence. Their music is urgent yet unpolished, like the earliest stages of many rock ensembles, giving off charmingly lo-fi, passionate, even drunken effect to every song.
After their first major tour in 2008, Born Ruffians appeared in the popular British teen drama “Skins,” where they played the single “Hummingbird” in a club. Their songs have been featured in multiple British and Australian ad campaigns, and in 2009 the band appeared in an episode of “Nirvana the Band,” a comedy web series, where they played themselves.
With the album “Red, Yellow & Blue” already having been nominated for the eighth Annual Independent Music Awards for Pop/Rock Album of the Year, it is clear that the Born Ruffians, while young, is a driving force to be reckoned with. Tonight is, for all intents and purposes, the beginning of Born Ruffians’ first major United States Tour, boasting “31 shows in 33 days” on their website, BornRuffians.com.
The show starts at 10 p.m. and tickets are $10. For those who love a raw, ardent sound and an energetic performance, be sure to come down to the Iron Horse tonight to show the rising Born Ruffians a little Massachusetts hospitality for their first evening in the United States.
Lauren Spano can be reached at [email protected].
