Ruiner

I did this interview ages ago, when Ruiner played in Canberra on their tour last year. Soon after the tour they announced they would break up. The interview also appeared in Capital Eyes issue #9.

I'm talking to Rob from Ruiner

You guys just played in Canberra at Bar 32, how'd it go?

It was good, wish it could have been a house, but you know, it's good not having to take the night off.

Have you always had this infatuation with George Michael?

No, I just the video on the screen while we were playing, I was entranced!

Ruiner toured Australia at the end of 2008. How did this tour compare to that one?

Pretty similar so far. The booking and managerial side of things was very different though. A friend of ours over here did all the bookings and another friend helped us with the paperwork side of things. There's no hostels this time around, no guaranteed accomodation.

Where are you guys staying tonight?

Somebody's friends house...I believe.

The band has put out an album pretty recently...how do you feel it compares to the other releases to you personally?

For me personally, I like it a lot better. I like it better than the last record. I don't know if I want to use the words “most honest”, but I guess you could say that about some of the songs. They reflect what I was feeling, what I was going through at the time.

A lot of the songs seem to have a lot of yourself put into them

I'm extremely conceited, yes, you got me. I have no other way to write a song. All the songs are from my experience. Writing something topical, I don't really like it, it's more likely to be scrapped. I may touch on politics but it's not something I actually write about. Apart from religion, there's no other topic I really like to pick at.

What's your political mindset?

I'd be pretty liberal. When it comes to gay rights, back home it's a big deal. Things like gay rights, it's incredible there's even conversation that it should be illegal. I guess I get a little iffy on things related to capital punishment. I see certain crimes in certain ways. Most of my family are from a police background. I guess some people might say that some of my views in regards to areas of the law are not so liberal.

What does your police family think of you being in a hardcore band?

My father is extremely liberal. As a matter of fact, some might say I'm more conservative than him. Everyone in the family has been very supportive of what I do most of the time. My Dad gives me shit, cost I'm always broke. I come home from tour, have to go to his house and find some way to try and get out of debt.

How does Ruiner fund their tours

We book all our own tours. Pretty much, when you're in Ruiner, the band will cover you to get there, then you're on your own from there.

When you come somewhere as far as Australia, how do you fund something like that?

The band will pay for it. We're pretty good with money as a band. As individuals, not so much. As the entity “Ruiner” we are good with money, we know what we're after. We can pull something together to go somewhere.

What's been the highlight of the tour so far?

We just hung out in Melbourne for a couple of days. We barbequed, I play basketball, we just hung out. When you've been on tour for a while, it's good to have days like that sometimes. On this tour so far I had my ipod stolen, I had food poisoning for two days straight. Asia just whooped my ass.

Where in Asia did you go?

We went right through South East Asia. Shows were amazing, but every day was getting on planes, off planes, up and down, all around.

Would you recommend other bands go to Asia?

Yeah, I would say if you're a band wanting to see what you're made of, go to South East Asia. See what you can deal with as a band. The shows are amazing, but it's the rest of the things you're dealing with. We've done a lot of touring, that was definitely one of the more strenuous tours we've ever done, and that's nothing against the people putting on the shows. It's just the travel really, getting on a plane every day, waking up at 3am to get on a plane at 6.

What happens once you finish in Australia?

We fly back to California, pick our van there, we've got a couple of weeks in North America. We zig zag in between the US and Canada. Then we go home for a month or two, then off to Europe with Carpathian, from here. Well, you know, from Australia. After that, who knows, we'll figure it out.

Any plans for a new album or anything like that?

No, not at the moment. After the Europe tour, we have no plans at all.

When is the Europe tour?

It'll be in July and August. The last show is on my birthday actually. It should be a good time, there's a whole heap of other bands in Europe around that time as well. I think the last show is in Berlin.

I saw Propaghandi in Berlin last year, that was pretty sweet

We got to play with Propaghandi last year, it was amazing. Probably one of the highlights of my life.

What's on high rotation in the van at the moment?

I don't know really, everyone just puts on their ipod, but I haven't got one, it got stolen. So I've just been sleeping most of the time. I have no idea.

What are you expecting from the rest of the tour?

If it keeps going the way it has been so far, it should be great. I'm not really expecting anything bad at all.

I guess the key question for the evening is...what song will you sing at karaoke?

My parents are actually karaoke Djs, they run the show at the karaoke. I've been around the karaoke world since I was about 13, I know all about it.

What's your karaoke special?

When I was young...I've never said this in an interview before, but I guess, I've never been asked about karaoke...I used to sing “I Would Do Anything For Love” by Meatloaf, with my mother. I love Meatloaf, I love that band, I love that man.

What's your favourite band of all time?

Nine Inch Nails...that's where “Ruiner” comes from. Nine Inch Nails are my all time favourites, they've stuck with me the longest. In more recent years, maybe Lawrence Arms would be my go to band.

Do you have anything to add or anyone to thank?

No.

We're into a new year.

The first day of 2011 it sounds like I've turned into a super keen fitness fiend. One of my resolutions was to exercise every day. However, we kicked things off well today.

Francisca and I walked up Mt Majura, then swam some laps at Dickson Pool. Just to complete the day, we kicked a soccerball around once it got a bit cooler in the evening.

I honestly couldn't tell you a top 10 of albums that came out in 2010, the quality just wasn't there, or I wasn't looking for it.

I did like

The Amity Affliction- Youngbloods

The Gaslight Anthem- American Slang

I Exist- I: A Turn For The Worse

Alexisonfire- Dogs Blood (EP)

How about a top 10 shows that I attended for the year...that will be easier to complete.

1. Polar Bear Club, Break Even, The Gifthorse @ Rosies, Brisbane

2. Polar Bear Club, Break Even, The Gifthorse @ The Fort, Brisbane

3. The Ghost Inside, Break Even @ Underworld, London (UK)

4. Machine Head, Hatebreed @ Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide

5. 4 Dead, Hoodlum Shouts, Boonhorse @ Bar 32, Canberra

6. Ruiner, Hopeless, I Exist @ Bar 32, Canberra

6. Alexisonfire, Comeback Kid, Anti Flag @ The Forum, Sydney

7. Alexisonfire, Break Even @ UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney or The Palace, Melbourne

8. Dangers, Graf Orlock, 4 Dead, Vera @ Bar 32 Canberra

9. Slowburn last show @ The Jam Factory, Canberra

10. Elysian, Ignite The Ibex @ The Basement, Canberra

2010 was a great year personally, easily the best ever. 2011 will definitely be an adventure, a big year ahead. I should have a new issue of Capital Eyes in the next few days, with interview from Elysian and Yoko Oh No.

And the boat sails on

This book was available on tour with Ruiner. It is in memory of Rowan Willoughby, former guitarist from Break Even. Unfortunately after their tour with Ruiner at the end of 2008, Rowan took his own life.

So I don't know if you would call this a book, or a zine, or a magazine, whatever. Who cares really. It's the second release from Callum Preston, better known as "The Tooth". He's started up something like a label for zines, Pyramid Scheme Press. The first release was a Miles Away Euro tour retrospective. I didn't get that one, but it sounded like a great idea.

So this book is full of photos from the road from Hartley, he's the guy you always see at shows taking pictures with a ginormous beard. The book is full of various pictures from the tour, some from shows, some of everyone just hanging out.

The quality is superb. Even though it's black and white, it's been printed in digital offset, not just banged up on a photocopier, like most other zines. The only writing is on page one, a bit of a blurb about the production, and a reminder to keep a Positive Mental Attitude. Also some links to support for depression.

They say a picture says a thousand words. Some of these may say even more, however, some little blurbs from time to time would be nice. It's good to see Canberra get a mention, with a massive Break Even photo from the Tuggeranong show spread across the back two pages.

Good stuff and hope to see more coming from the Pyramid Scheme Press.

Ruiner, Hopeless, I Exist @ Bar 32- April 20, 2009

So last night I went to see some bands. Ruiner were originally going to play Canberra on their tour, then it fell through, then they were going to add a show at somebody's house, that fell through too. Then Bar 32 came up with the goods.

Yet another venue is out of action, The Warehouse in Fyshwick didn't last long at all. I wish someone with some big money would buy up all the empty shops in Civic and turn them into venues. There's a lot of room for it to happen now.

If I was rich the old Impact Records (later JB), the recently closed Dick Smith, Cafe Macchiato/Bourbon Bar and The Akuna Club would all be "happening" places. Places where bands can play, all people welcome, etc. For now they lie empty. An ugly opening to a visitor's Canberra experience. These are all on main corners, they shouldn't be empty shops.

Unfortunately. I am not at all rich, far from it as a matter of fact. One day I'm going to do a zine about all the venues that have popped up in Canberra and then disappeared soon after. Even since I've lived in Canberra I've seen the rise and fall of Ground Floor, Green Room, Sound Underground, Jamison Inn and a few more. There'll be plenty of material for that one.

Ok, back to the show. It was only ten bucks to see an international band, Hopeless from Melbourne, and I Exist, who are becoming bigger than God these days.

We got there just a few minutes before I Exist started, got a good position at the edge of the bar, something to lean on. Unfortunately the sound levels for I Exist were way off, they were turned up to loud, the sound was not clear at all. They were pretty good still. New guitar player Josh (Pod People, Bloodduster) brought his metal element to the fore, throwing a few horns for good measure.

They played some new tracks, things are sounding a lot more metal these days. They are no longer this metal influenced hardcore band, they are really just a metal band. They are a band that is going to go far, they've gone a long way already in such a short time.

Hopeless were up next. They played a bit of a mix of old and new stuff. I only know the songs off "Dear World", which is a great album. They played a fair few songs off that to a fairly unreceptive audience. The audience was mainly people with arms folded, maybe a brief head nod every now and then. It probably reminded Hopeless of their hometown, Melbourne.

This was really a show I expected people to be going pretty crazy at, but it was fairly quiet all night. I don't know if it was because it was a Tuesday night, can't go to hard on a school night, or an unfamiliarity with the bands, but each band had a much better reception the last time I saw them in Canberra.

Ruiner took a while to kick off, but it was still before 10pm when they started. Once again, I only knew one album (What Could Possibly Go Right?), but they played a lot of songs off that. There were only 3 or 4 people who were really getting into, that was the biggest surprise to me. Ruiner are a band that is conducive to mic grabs and pile-ons, that kind of thing, but it really just wasn't happening. However the few people really getting into probably would have made it worthwhile for the band.

At one stage I jumped from the flashing light dancefloor, onto Jake (I Exist)'s back and got to have the mic grab. That was pretty sweet. Probably the highlight of the night.

So many people have told me the new Ruiner is subpar, but the new stuff they played seemed just as good as the rest of their songs. It wasn't as good for me, as I didn't know it. I wish I hadn't bothered listening to the knockers, and actually had a listen for myself. However it's too late for that now.

I did a good deal, I swapped a bunch of zines to the guys from Hopeless for a t-shirt. You can grab a copy at their Sydney shows in the next couple of days. I also did an interview with Rob and later went to Transit and did an interview with Jon Dangerous of the mighty 4 Dead.

I had a good chat there with Jon, another bloke Gav, his brother used to be in Lawnsmell, it was a great night all round for me. I also picked up "And The Boat Sails On" a little magazine about the last Ruiner tour with Break Even. I'll go more into that in another post.

Hopeless

Here is an interview I did, it was a while back now, with Brett, the singer from Melbourne's Hopeless after they played a show with Amity at the Tuggeranong Youth Centre.

Hopeless are ready to release an album now, to support this they're hitting the road with Ruiner.


Here's what we discussed. This interview went into issue six of Capital Eyes, I will begin work on number 7 in the near future.

Talking to Brett from Hopeless they’re from Melbourne…

So this is your first visit to Canberra…what are your thoughts?

This is our first visit. We have only seen this small area- Tuggeranong. It seems pretty fun so far, the show was a lot of fun. We haven’t seen much of the rest of Canberra, and we probably won’t get to see much more. It’s nice, everyone’s nice.

Have you got any plans for a return visit yet?

We haven’t really planned our next tour. We’ve done a lot of touring in 2009, so we haven’t made plans for a new tour yet. I think we’ll be here in the next 5 months…which is a long time, but hopefully sooner.

The band is reasonably new…you were all in other bands previously, what were they?

We’ve been going for about 2 years now, been playing shows for about a year. Tim (guitar) and I were in a band called Bear Trap. It was just like a Terror/No Warning style band. Jason was in a band called The Stallion. Chewy was in Cut Your Losses. All these bands were pretty standard. Never did a tour, never made a solid release or anything like that. Our drummer Dave is also in Carpathian.

This band’s a pretty serious project…what are the aims of the band?

Our aims are changing all the time. When we started out, it was basically just a fun little project. We started getting serious about the band fairly quickly. All that really matters to us at the moment is being able to write good songs and tour as much as possible. That’s basically our aim at the moment. To tour as much as possible, until we are not welcome anymore.

You’re touring with Amity and We Are The Ocean, how’s that going?

It’s been the funnest tour I’ve ever been on. We’re only a week in and have played a handful of shows, still got a handful to go. I’ve never gotten along with another band, or two other bands this much on tour before. Within the first day we were remembering names, getting along, all mates. It’s fun. It’s great to be on tour with bands that are not standard “hardcore” bands. It’s great opportunity for us to play with some different styles of band, but also just to listen to something a bit different for a change. That being said, that’s the main reason why this has been my favourite tour.

Do you feel like a Grandpa at Amity shows? (cos I do)

Sometimes I do. I look around and I see what I used to look like a few years ago. I’m not even that old, I’m only 21. Most of the rest of the guys are 21, there’s a couple who are 24 or 25. We all used to look like these kids five years ago. It’s great. It reminds me not to be so serious all the time. As you get older and grumpier, having fun is a big pay off.

What’s been on high rotation in the van?

It’s kinda embarrassing, we always play The Amity Affliction when we’re on tour. *Somebody interrupts* “Hey are you one of the singers?” “Yes, I am one of the singers. I sing for Hopeless.” “Oh, never mind”. What was I talking about? (Playing Amity in the van whilst touring with Amity). Oh yeah, we do play a lot of Amity. Been listening to Gaslight Anthem a lot too. They’re probably the main two bands.

What’s the plans for the next 6 months or so?

We’re going to finish writing a record. We’re three songs in so far. It’s going to be another album. We hope it will be out by the beginning or the middle of next year. We will be doing some more touring as well.

With a name like Hopeless, I guess there is a fairly negative vibe. What are the songs about?

The funny thing is- the lyrics I write are not really negative at all. Sometimes people interpret them as negative. We get called an emo band sometimes…“Depresso-core”. Really I sing about search for hope, rather than being comfortable with the fact that you are hopeless. A lot of the time I’m writing about things that have happened to me growing up, and I’m more reflecting on that. I write a lot about certain situations. A song we have is about a holiday park I used to visit as a kid. The lyrics for the new record are a bit different. I’m over the things I was going through previously, now I have a whole new batch.

Where do you guys stay when you go on tour?

We stay in the van a little bit. We stay in the van a lot actually. Other than that we stay at friends houses. In Sydney we love to stay at Billabong Gardens in Newtown. It is THE place to stay for bands. Sometimes it’s a bit hard to get into though. When you’re on tour, having a good time, there can be just one night when you absolutely NEED a bed and a shower. In Brisbane we stay with Joel from Amity. That’s probably the most relaxed we can be on tour. Just hanging out at his house.

What other Melbourne bands do you recommend at the moment?

I recommend a band called Vultures. Their singer is a good friend of ours. He’s a bit of a cutie. I’ve known him for quite a while now, sometimes I can’t believe the lyrics he writes come from his little head. Another band to check out is The Broderick. Their drummer is filling in for us at the moment. They’re a bunch of good dudes and writing a record at the moment.

Do you have any thanks or anything else to add?

Thanks for doing the interview. I’d like to thank all the guys from The Amity Affliction and We Are The Ocean. Big thankyou to Nigel from Trial & Error and Destroy All Lines. Yeah, that’s about it.