Well-dressed swamp rock.

“It’s swashbuckling R&B,” says Ludes frontman Dave Ashby of their brand of punchy swamp rock. “The root of it is blues, ska and rock’n’roll. We try and make something new using the same kind of values as old music.” Guitarist Matt agrees, “If you do something that sounds completely new then you’re in real danger of doing something that just sounds bad because you can’t listen to it.”

South London’s Ludes formed around Camberwell Art College and have gained themselves a reputation for having the best dressed fans on London’s indie circuit. They are, however, quick to point out that it’s the music that’s the important thing: “It’s not about looking good in your new togs, you got to have the tunes,” says James McCool (guitar).

Their eclectic, rootsy sound is not unlike that which is reverberating around the streets of Liverpool, and the band hope to follow up the limited release of She Was Just A Girl with a proper single in January, followed by an album. But we shouldn’t just expect a rip-roaring interpretation of their live show. “We’ve got slower, country ballad-type songs,” says Dave. “When you’re playing these shows you’ve got to grab people’s attention. When you’ve got their attention then they’ll look at the other bits. We can’t tell you what the album will sound like but it won’t just be a full-on assault on the ears.” Matt Walton 12 December 03

Ludes - She Was Just A Girl/Your Dog Don’t Bark, out now on Double Dragon.

useful link: www.ludes.bravepages.com