Gathering together potential members to form The Verinos was a bit like the start of the Blues Brothers film. Ruth’s old band mate from 1990s psychedelic pop group ‘Ruth’s Refrigerator’ agreed to join, a friend who loved gardening volunteered as a drummer even with no previous experience. A singer was plucked from a ladies choir and the bass player was spotted at a party in Kayal restaurant already looking like a punk star even though she’d never played.

The Verinos planned their debut gig at the International Arts Centre in October 2021 and already attracted  a lot of publicity. BBC East Midlands Today came and filmed, and the result became the ‘video of the day’ nationally. It seemed like lots of people were keen to find out about this beginner band of women who were older than the usual punk band.

What happened then was that women in the audience also wanted to have a go, and that was where the idea for Unglamorous Music workshops for women beginners originated. By January 2022, based on a little coaching and encouragement from Ruth, more new bands were forming.

Other projects: Kala & Jane are now in The Marlinas