| Rude Squad | |
| Background: | group_or_band |
| Origin: | St. Petersburg, Florida, United States |
| Genre: | Ska punk, Punk rock[1] |
| Years Active: | 1997 - present |
| Label: | Citrus Records Octave Match Records |
| Website: | Official website |
| Current Members: | Rusch Young Lee McElhaney Kyle Sokol Eric Best Adrian Baptist |
| Past Members: | Alex Trellu Chip Manger Matt Hollingsworth Paul DeCosmo Steve DeCosmo Alden Kooken |
Rude Squad is an American ska punk band founded in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States, in 1997. The final and longest running band line up are: Eric Best (vocals & guitar), Lee McElhaney (sax), Rusch Young (trumpet), Kyle Sokol (bass), and Adrian Baptist (drums). Rude Squad have cited Fishbone, The Toasters, Goldfinger and The Police as inspirations for their work. 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 combination needed to create the elements in the ska genre. They have performed with multiple bands such as Rancid, the Skatalites, Suicide Machines, the Used, The Pietasters, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Matisyahu, and 311. 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.