La Ruda

La Ruda Salska was formed in 1993 in Saumur. The name, inspired by a Polish city, refers to the idea of combining rock, salsa, and ska, but it's more simply called alternative rock, and in the basement where they rehearsed, there were posters of “La Mano” and “The Specials”. The same year, the Saumur-based band recorded a 5-track demo including “Radio ska” which appeared on the French compilation “Ni Jah ni maître” and “Porque no la vida” on “100% Latin ska”, a worldwide compilation produced by the American label “Moon record”. The band reformed in 1995. From this initial line-up remained Pierrot (vocals) and Manu (drums). They were joined by Fred (guitar), Jam (bass), Richtoune (guitar), Roro (trombone), Daddy (trumpet), and François (saxophone).

La Ruda, as they were already known, launched a subscription and in 1996 produced a first album “Le Prix du silence” recorded in a garage. The record smelled of grease and urgency. The audience grew larger and more chaotic. François left the group in 1997, replaced by Philly. The second album “L’Art de la joie” solidified their sound in 1999, still recorded with makeshift means. This marked the beginning of long series of concerts for La Ruda. The band, which started by “busking”, toured relentlessly, crisscrossing France at a frantic pace. Pee-Why replaced Jam on bass.

In 1999, a contract was signed with Patricia Bonneteau and the Yelen Musiques label, which released the live album “En Concert” from this tour. For the first time, the track “L’instinct du meilleur” was recorded, symbolising the extraordinary energy displayed on stage by the musicians. In 2001 came “Passager du réel” produced at Black Box studio, where the lyrics took an even more prominent place in the band's personality. The latter then created its own structure “Les Associés du Réel” and celebrated by releasing an OMNI “Loïc Da Silva joue La Ruda Salska”… on accordion, and let the good times roll!!

In 2004