Ruth

This UK indie rock quartet enjoyed a cult following but little commercial success from their inception in 1992, to their final implosion at the start of the new millennium. Ruth was formed by Matt Hales (b. January 1972, Southampton, Hampshire, England; vocals/piano), his brother Ben Hales (guitar/vocals), Matt Vincent-Brown (drums/vocals), and Stephen Cousins (bass/vocals). The latter had already enjoyed a modicum of chart success as a member of A Tribe Of Toffs, who reached the UK Top 30 in 1988 with the charming "John Kettley (Is A Weatherman)". Despite earning a loyal following for their entertaining stage act, Ruth failed to make any headway with numerous singles releases. They finally enjoyed a minor hit in 1997 with "I Don't Know", released on the Arc Records label. Their solitary album (Harrison) was released two years later, although it had actually been recorded in 1995. The quartet parted company with Arc in summer 2000, and after renaming themselves the 45s signed a short-term contract with Universal Records. Despite releasing two well-received singles the label declined to renew the band's contract, and when main songwriter Matt Hales left to concentrate on his Aqualung project the other members also decided to call it a day. ~ Rovi