About Us
Formed in a downtown Irish pub in 1998 NYC by the brothers Griffin, the Ruffians are an original celtic rock band that entwines the heart and soul of celtic music with the exuberance of punk rock. They have the kind of energy associated with bands like the Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly, but also uniquely incorporate the catchiness of American and British pop and alternative music. Their original songs and inventive interpretations of traditional dance tunes make them one of the most exciting bands out today. The Chicago Sun Times' Tim DeGrogatis called them the "Y-Generation Pogues." In the time the Ruffians have been together, they have opened numerous times for Black 47, Shane McGowan's band The Popes, were part of the People's Fleadh in 2003 and 2004,and were asked to play for the "Good Friday Agreement" peace talk. They also played for the Ancient Order of Hibernians' Rose of Tralee Pageant for five years running. Being a favorite at many pubs in the northeast, if there's good music to be heard and fine whiskey to be drunk, Ruffians will be there.
Some Places We've Been:
Boston College. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Boston, MA
Buckleys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Southhampton, NY
Byrne's Pub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Columbus, OH
CBGB's. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York City
Connolly's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York City The Downtown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Long Island
Fitzgerald's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . Clifton, NJ
The Half-door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Hartford, CT
Hungry Trout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Saranac, NY
Iona College. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Rochelle, NY
Kennedy's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stamford CT
Knitting Factory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York City
Luna Lounge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York City
The Laugh Factory . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York City Manitoba's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York City
Mick O'Shea's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baltimore, MD
Molly Darcy's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danbury, CT
Molly Malone's . . . . . . . . Bay Shore, Long Island
Mulcahey's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Long Island
N.E. Brewing Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Norwalk, CT
Paddy Reilly's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York City
Princeton University . . . . . . . . . . . . Princeton, NJ
The Parting Glass . . . . . . . .Saratoga Springs, NY Revolution Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Troy, NY
Rocky Sullivan's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York City
Sin-e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York City
Toad's Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .New Haven, CT
And no doubt soon, a Festival, Pub, or College near you!