The Ruffians
The Ruffians are the hottest original Celtic pub band. Period. Rising from the New York Irish scene, they incorporate the heart and soul of Celtic music with the exuberance of American and British punk rock. Their original songs and inventive interpretations of traditional Irish dance music make them one of the most exciting bands out today.
In a downtown Irish pub in New York City, 1998, The Ruffians were formed. Brothers Sean (guitar, vocals, bodhran) and Dan Griffin (bass, b vocals, bones) joined creative forces with Jerome Morris (drums, percussion), and Kevin Meehan (button accordion) to create the kind of energy associated with bands like The Pogues, The Dropkick Murphys, Blur, and Flogging Molly. The Ruffians are accompanied by some of the areas finest traditional players.
In the time The Ruffians have been together they have opened for Black 47 numerous times, The Popes, The Whole Shebang and were asked to play for"The Good Friday Agreement” peace talk. They have played at the Knitting Factory for the irish film festival, the Craic fest, as well as the 2003 People's Fleadh and the 2004 Irish Rock Fest with Neck and Icewagon Flu. The Ruffians are currently gigging around the tri-state area, promoting the release of their LP"Live at CBGB's” and their two EP's. They are becoming a favorite at Maggie Mae's in New York, McKinnons in Hartford, CT, and Mick O'Shea's in Baltimore, MD. If there is good music to be heard and fine whiskey to be drunk, The Ruffians will be there.