Rude Squad


Rude Squad is a ska punk band founded in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1997. The final and longest running band line up are: Eric Best, Lee McElhaney, Rusch Young, Kyle Sokol, and Adrian Baptist. Rude Squad was a SKA, punk-rock band with eclectic sound intertwined with efficacious rhythms that are breath-taking and original. Rude Squad attributed Fishbone, The Toasters, Goldfinger and the Police for their in-depth inspirations to become the subsequent artists that they became. They are the longest running active ska band in the Tampa Bay area according to Creative Loafing.
Rude Squad has formed their own legacy by playing as a subset, using the sax, guitar, drums, trumpet and lethal vocals as the mathematical combination needed to create the elements in the SKA genre. RS has performed with multiple bands such as Rancid, the Skatalites, Suicide Machines, the Used, The Pietasters, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Matisyahu, and 311 to name a few. They have also taken part and participated in events throughout the state and beyond such as Vans Warped Tour '04, 97X's Next Big Thing, 98 Rock's Livestock, and numerous local events throughout the Bay area. Rude Squad signed a record deal with Octave Match Records in 2010.
Rude Squad has reformed after their recent reunion show on November 23, 2013 to a sold out crowd at the Local 662 in their hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida. Rude Squad also signed to Citrus Records on 16 October 2014 after being released from their old contract with Octave Match Records. New material is in the works for their ska fans around the world.

Band line-up

Current Line-Up