Interview

21.07.2010 Ruiner

They are calling it quits – after five years, more then 700 shows and a couple of awesome releases, the Baltimore-based quintet has reached everything they ever dreamt of. Shouter and mastermind Rob answered the first part of my questions which are centered on the bands reasons for quitting, their first Asia-tour and his thoughts about present-day politics as well as the hardcore-scene. This dude is one of the few hardcore musicians who actually have something to say!

Not long ago you announced the end of RUINER after the upcoming European tour - what led you to that decision, what are the main factors for quitting the band?

Well the main reason is I personally have just grew tired of touring. Other members feel the same way. We always felt Ruiner would operate at 100% or not at all. So to take a step back and become a band who just releases records but doesn't tour is nonsense to us.
The other reason is I have just grown very distant from the scene I loved. Its very hard for me to put up with the politics of punk/hardcore now a days. I think things have changed in a manner of speak. Kids take a lot of things for granted and seemingly don't wish to put the work in. Bands start touring with out any real release due to privilege and don't respect who allowed them to be there. Not to say we are a band anyone should pay homage to or even a band I am referring too. But the whole thing of punk/hardcore bands having agents and managers to me is just plane dumb. If you can't book your own tours or find it to tough to promote your own band, fuck you. Its just a bunch of kids looking out for their own with no real desire to give back.

Did all band members agree on it right on?

When we sat down and had an official talk about it, yes. Everyone felt we were stopping at an appropriate time. We had debated about still writing music together but we knew to keep releasing records like that wouldn't be us. Not to mention I'm not sure if what came next would still be the same band.

What are the plans for the two farewell-shows in October?

I am working that out now. October 9th is the official last show at Sonar in Baltimore. I'm hoping to have it all ironed out in the next few weeks. October 5th is supposed to be an all locals show with a lot of close friends. The show is being held at a venue called The Charm City Art Space that I've been involved with for years.

When looking back, what have been the best moments in the history of RUINER?

Getting to play with PROPAGANDHI was an awesome memory. When you get to play with a band who you can pin point as a reason you play music it feels awesome.
The first time we went to Ireland was an amazing experience as was Australia.

Which decision(s) wouldn't you make again?

Probably a lot but I really don't feel like typing it all out.

You just wrapped up your first Asia tour - how did it turn out? Did the tour as a whole meet your expectations? Which moments had been really memorable, for good or bad?

Asia was very exciting and different. It’s vastly different than any place we've ever been. The experience will probably never be forgotten. I'd say the shows were beyond our expectations. The fact that anyone care was mind blowing to us. Seeing the great wall was probably the most memorable by the way of being good.
As for bad I couldn't play a show due to food poison. It fucking sucked, I can't say I've been that sick in recent memory.

Which shows of that tour have been memorable? Compared with US and European promoters/ tour agents, how well had the tour been organized? How was the overall standard of the venues, the food, the sleeping places?

Our very last show in SE Asia was one of the biggest shows we've ever played. It was insane. The day after having food poison, the room was 100+ degrees and I could barely stand. I thought I was going to die and it was incredible.

Everyone who helped with organizing the tour did a great job. Everything ran smoothly. Food was a bit different because we usually needed help with ordering. Obviously I didn't listen very well and got sick. All parties involved did a great job helping us with places to stay and entertaining us in the down time.

Apart from the venues, vans and airplanes, what did you see of Asia? What did really impress you?

Honestly we didn't see much. Great wall was pretty incredible but we didn't have time to venture far from the city. That is one of the huge draw backs of touring. You get to go so close to so many amazing things but never have time or money to see them. I can tell you most cities we visited had a lot of malls. Also until you see a city like Beijing you don't know shit about over population. Walking made me feel claustrophobic and driving was a nightmare.

What are you doing between the Asia and the European tour? do you hang out with the other guys in RUINER a lot?

We practice and some of us hang out. I work with one of the guitar players. We are both sub-contractors back home doing general home remodeling work. I spend most of my time working my day job or occasionally bar tending. Any other second I am usually at a gym training in some sort of combat or self defense art.

What will you do after the band is done, music-wise and for a living?

I already own my own home so ill continue to work on it. I plan on going back to school to become a personal trainer. I have currently no desire to start another band. Probably after school ill fuck around with something. Right now I have a lot of other things on my mind to focus on. I know the others will all do other things musically. I don't know if they will tour but I'm sure they will release music in some manner.

Do you have any other bands/ projects you can focus on?

I do not. The others all do for the most part. I have other desires currently. But I do involve my self with a local venue in Baltimore. I do most of the remodeling and helped start it in its new location earlier in the year. So I’ll probably finish some things in that in the coming months.

Do you see any chance to make a living in the music biz? Would you even want it?

I'm sure if you really were willing to do anything anybody thrown at you, you could. We've had opportunities over the years to do certain things. But that's not why I wanted to start a band. If starting a band is how you plan to make an income you are in for a rude awakening.

Are you concerned about politics? If yes, what's your opinion on the current US politics, like the war in Afghanistan, the BP oil disaster, the financial crisis, Obamas overall job as a president?

The War- is a lost cause. After 9/11 our only focus should have been afghanistan. But many many lies later we were fighting an up hill battle. Its never going to end.
BP- fuck BP. The idea that this is still going on is seriously fucking embarrassing. 3 fail safes fail based entirely because of irresponsibility and BP are allowed to even operate in any fashion aside from trying to cap it. Seriously its fucking disgusting.
Financial crisis- Is a joke. Nothing will ever be fixed properly. Its just bandages for wounds that need stitches. The ones calling the shots are to interested in themselves to truly do what they need to do.
Obama- Ill say I never thought he'd do much good. In 8 years the Bush administration fucking destroyed our economy and relationships with foreign nations. Its going to take a life time to mend that. The other problem is the incredible selfishness of both parties. Our major parties spend more time trying to stop the other one from progress than they do helping. If they can't start coming to some sort of agreements nothing will ever get done.

Greetings, shout-outs, wise words?

Baltimore has a lot of awesome new bands in SACRED LOVE and PRAISE. That's about it. Don't start a band, the world has enough. (lh)

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