The Ruckus Collective are a shaggy-haired six-piece from Bristol, peddling a frenetic, unhinged yet soulful brand of funk. And jazz. And a bit of rock. Disparate genres you say?

No! No less an authority than a BBC Bristol correspondent described them as “a modern funk band that didn’t make me want to rip my own ears off.” Amen to that.

With tenor and alto sax to the fore, Ruckus Collective have earned comparisons with the likes of Ozomatli as well as, for better or worse, the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Live, they are a formidable force, their evident musicianship combining with an energy that channels a definite punk vibe, yet it’s all in the name of jazz. The band formed in 2006 and despite being currently unsigned they did manage to record an album this year, called Stop, Drop Dance. Long live the Ruckus Collective.

To hear Ruckus Collective MP3s go to tourdates.co.uk/Ruckus-Collective. They play The Good Ship on 29 August 2008.