Taking their name from two characters in a Jack Daniel's TV ad, Dern Rutlidge pound away like Melbourne's answer to the immortal Kyuss. Evolving from the ashes of Christbait and featuring Blood Duster's Jason PC on bass, Dern Rutlidge combines elements of both bands, creating massively heavy stoner-type rock n roll. The band has existed they have played supports to an ever-growing list of international touring acts including the likes of Rollins Band, the Hellacopters, Fear Factory, Morbid Angel, Fu Manchu and Bad Brains, and the presence of members of two of Melbourne's more legendary 90s metal bands has ensured Dern Rutlidge has maintained a healthy popularity at the local level. After the EP release, Dern Rutlidge signed to High Beam Records and in 2001 released Johnny No Stars, an exceptional album of sometimes progressive, sometimes flat-out stoner rock n' roll. Dern Rutlidge completed a tour of Switzerland in September 2001 and in January 2002 the band featured at the Big Day Out. Westwood left Dern Rutlidge in June 2002 and as such it would appear that the band has come to an end.
