Rustix

Rustix (or The Rustix) were an American R&B/blue-eyed soul ensemble from Rochester, New York.^[1]

Rustix formed in 1967; the band was signed to Rare Earth Records, a Motown Records subsidiary. Prior to signing with Rare Earth, the band had a single on the Cadet Records label. Prior to their recording career, the group had been a popular attraction in upstate New York, opening for Jimi Hendrix and Soft Machine at one point.^[2] Among their singles were "Can't You Hear the Music Play" from the album Bedlam, released in 1969 and "Come On People" from the album of the same name, released in 1970. Bedlam peaked at No. 200 on the Billboard 200.^[3] A sophomore effort, Come On People, followed in 1970; both of the group's first two records were produced by R. Dean Taylor. A third album was recorded in 1971 but never released, and the group disbanded later that year. At that point, Chuck Brucato and Al Galich recorded a pair of songs under the Rustix name ("We All End Up In Boxes" and "My Peace Of Heaven") backed by the Funk Brothers. Both were released in 1971, and both backed by a Rustix outtake from their 2nd album sessions ("Down Down").

They were inducted into the Rochester Music Hall Of Fame on April 24, 2016.

The surviving band members regrouped for the occasion. They performed Leaving Here, Can't You Hear The Music Play, Free Again & Lady In My Dreams.

Band members that performed were Chuck Brucato, David Colon and Vinnie Strenk. Bassist Ron Collins was there, but did not perform due to his health.

They were joined on stage by Joe Brucato and members of his band as well as Prime Time Funk.

Members

• Chuck Brucato – vocals
• Ron Collins – bass
• David Colon – drums
• Bob D'Andrea – guitar
• Vinnie Strenk – Hammond B3
• Al Galich – lead vocals

Discography

Albums

• Bedlam (Rare Earth Records, 1969)
• Come On People (Rare Earth Records, 1970)

Singles

• "Leaving Here" b/w "When I Get Home" (Cadet Records, 1968)
• "Can't You Hear the Music Play" b/w "I Guess This Is Goodbye" (Rare Earth, 1969)
• "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" b/w "I Guess This Is Goodbye" (Rare Earth, 1969) (Non US single)
• "Come On People" b/w "Free Again (Non C'est Rien)" (Rare Earth, 1970)
• "We All End Up in Boxes" b/w "Down Down" (Rare Earth, 1971)
• "My Piece Of Heaven" b/w "Down Down" (Rare Earth, 1971)

Since disbandment

Chuck Brucato has written commercials for many companies in the Rochester, NY area and continues to sing, mainly on his son, Joe Brucato's albums and at his concerts. David Colon sells paintings through the internet. Bob D'Andrea died in 1993 from cancer, and complications from kidney failure. Bob was one of the first kidney transplant patients in Rochester in the early 1970s, and lived for over twenty years with a transplanted kidney, something unheard of at the time. Before his death he owned The Outrageous Inn, a comedy club and blues bar, and later Caddie Shack discount golf.

Al Galich died on November 6, 2013 of cancer.

References

1. In the Name of the Father and the Son. Rochester City Newspaper, March 2006.
2. The History of Rock in the ROC. Rochester City Newspaper, March 2009.
3. Billboard, AllMusic