Ruins (Japanese band)

Last updated
Ruins
OriginJapan
Genres Zeuhl, progressive rock, math rock, noise rock, experimental rock
Years active1985–present
Labels Ipecac Recordings, Tzadik, Skin Graft, Magaibutsu Limited
Members Tatsuya Yoshida
Past membersHideki Kawamoto
Kazuyoshi Kimoto
Ryuichi Masuda
Hisashi Sasaki
Website magaibutsu.com/mgb/

Ruins is a Japanese music duo composed only of drummer/vocalist Tatsuya Yoshida and a bass guitarist (there have been four such bassists in the band's history). [1] The group, formed in 1985, was supposedly intended to be a power trio; the guitarist, however, never showed up to the band's first rehearsal so the group remained a duo. The music touches on progressive rock, jazz fusion and noise rock. [2]

Contents

Background

The French progressive rock band Magma is the group's most important influence, to such an extent that Ruins' original lyrics are written and sung in an invented language which, at first glance, resembles Kobaïan, the language invented by Christian Vander of Magma. [3] Ruins' material (which Yoshida, who composes the majority of their pieces, writes out in score form) is generally of extreme complexity and thus is often described as inaccessible; potential listeners may be bewildered by the band's unrestrained yet disciplined approach.

In addition to the "prog rock" label, the group's music has also been described as "math rock" and "zeuhl". That said, Ruins' style has consistently evolved since the band's beginning, often changing according to the bassist that Tatsuya was collaborating with at the time.

Ruins have collaborated with several other musicians, including prominent avant-garde figure Derek Bailey, [4] auteur guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Keiji Haino, and Ground Zero alumnus Kazuhisa Uchihashi. [5]

Bassist Hisashi Sasaki left the band in 2004, and since then Yoshida has been touring solo under the name Ruins-alone (Ruins Alone). [1] He has also performed as Sax Ruins with alto saxophonist Ryoko Ono. He was chosen by Matt Groening to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival Groening curated in May 2010 in Minehead, England.

On September 6, 2016, Tatsuya announced via his Facebook that third period bassist Ryuichi Masuda would be rejoining the band for a show in December and shows throughout the spring. [6]

Members

Current members
Former members

Discography

EPs, live releases, and compilations

Collaborations

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Ruins Alone "Ruins Alone" - The Japan Times". japantimes.co.jp. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  2. ↑ "Ruins - Biography & History - AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 5 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  3. 1 2 Dolan, Jon (2015-06-17). "50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  4. 1 2 "Saisoro - Derek and the Ruins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  5. ↑ "Sound in all the right places - The Japan Times". japantimes.co.jp. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  6. ↑ Facebook post circa September 6, 2016 Archived April 6, 2018, at the Wayback Machine Accessed September 6, 2016
  7. ↑ "Stonehenge - Ruins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  8. ↑ "Burning Stone - Ruins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 25 November 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  9. ↑ "Graviyaunosch - Ruins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  10. ↑ "Hyderomastgroningem - Ruins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  11. ↑ "Refusal Fossil - Ruins | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  12. ↑ Dominique Leone. "Vrresto - Ruins | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  13. ↑ Joslyn Layne (1998-06-16). "Symphonica - Ruins | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  14. ↑ Rob Theakston. "Pallaschtom - Ruins | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  15. ↑ Franรงois Couture. "Mandala 2000: Live at the Kichijoji Mandala II - Ruins | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2020-03-13.
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