
The mighty rufus was formed over a packet of beef jerky in december 2007. Through an unfortunate admin error, the wrong Barry White was signed up on vocals, to assist Ben on drums and Jay on bass. Various guitarists have been and gone but currently it’s just Luke, completing what will no doubt become regarded as the greatest super-group since cream.
the worst noise I ever heard – a sincere old lady
The mighty rufus is a four piece band from Bristol that is inexplicably comprised entirely of lawyers. Our constantly evolving repertoire consists of songs we like playing and whatever has caught our imagination on any given week.
We curate our setlist to be a good night out for people with snobby interesting musical taste, provided that taste involves guitars. While we cast our net as wide as we can, we find we zero in on 90s and 00s indie bangers.
members

Luke Hayward
Jimmy Thunderpluck didn’t choose the guitar life; the guitar life chose him. Legend has it he emerged from the womb with calluses already fully formed on his fingertips. Known for turning simple chords into epic anthems, Jimmy can make even the most reluctant audience member air-guitar along. When he’s not bending strings, he’s bending the laws of physics with his wild stage antics and questionable pyrotechnic experiments.
Jimmy isn’t just a guitarist; he’s a force of nature, a riff hurricane, and a walking jukebox (if the jukebox only played rock, blues, and the occasional wrong chord completely). When Jimmy’s on stage, you’ll hear every note, feel every vibration, and leave wondering if you just witnessed the avatar of rock itself.
Fun fact: Once played an entire set without his guitar and without wearing any trousers, but later realised that this was most likely an anxiety dream.
Benjamin Holt
Crash “Loudshirt” McBoom is the founder and backbone of the band — some may say that he’s the colorful, unpredictable, slightly-too-loud heart of the band. Known for his dazzling collection of eye-popping shirts (each louder than his snare drum), Crash has been keeping the beat and turning heads since the first time he hit a trash can lid with a wooden spoon. His drumming style combines precision, flair, and a healthy disregard for cymbals’ lifespan.
“Luke? Where is Luke going? Barry, what is Luke doing? Luke, are you going to the bar? Cider please… cheers bud.”
Crash McBoom doesn’t just play the drums; he becomes the drums. With beats that shake the room and fashion choices that dazzle the revellers, he guarantees every gig is a spectacle. When Crash is behind the kit, two things are certain: your toes will tap, and your heart will pound.


Jermaine Smith
Stevie Lowtone’s motto is simple: never let the groove (or anyone else) out of your sight. With a bassline so smooth it feels like a warm hug, Stevie has mastered the art of anchoring the band while also anchoring themselves emotionally to their bandmates. Whether it’s standing uncomfortably close to the guitarist during solos or following the singer offstage just in case they need “support,” Stevie ensures no one ever feels truly alone.
Signature Move:
The “Bassline Buddy Shuffle” — a habit of drifting toward whoever seems most in need of a hug, just to make sure they’re okay.
Stevie “Bass Buddy” Lowtone doesn’t want to you hear the bass, he wants you to feel it. With a sound that wraps around you and a presence that’s always right there, Stevie ensures the band — and the audience — stays grounded. Just be prepared for a heartfelt post-gig debrief where they ask if you’re still friends.
Barry White
Barry White (no relation) was born to sing — and to repeatedly clarify that he’s not that Barry White. With a voice that can melt hearts and occasionally crack contact lenses, Barry commands the stage with charm, charisma, and a touch of dramatic flair. Whether belting out rock anthems, serenading the crowd with soulful ballads, or forgetting where he is during a song’s intro, Barry knows how to keep an audience hooked.
“Three and half pints is the exact right number of pints to have”
Signature Move:
The “Point-and-Pause Power Pose” — mid-song, Barry freezes in a heroic stance, pointing at someone in the crowd as if they’re the sole reason for the performance, holding the moment just long enough to miss the next line of the verse.
