Коллектив возник на панковой сцене Японии в середине 80-х годов XX века. Бессменным лидером группы во все времена её существования являлся её основатель Tatsuya Yoshida (drums/vocals). Инструментальный фундамент самой музыки помимо ударных составлял бас. Такой, несколько необычный для punk коллектива состав, образовался совершенно случайно, когда на одну из первых репетиций не явился её гитарист и музыканты явственно увидели, что в дальнейшем вполне могут обойтись без его участия. Стартовав как post punk проект, Ruins постепенно усложняли и развивали своё звучание, привнося в музыку всё новые прогрессивные элементы из различных музыкальных жанров, но при этом оставляя неизменными её составными частями шумность, сырость звука и панковитую «неряшливость» исполнения. Наибольшее влияние на становление музыки коллектива оказали идеи Кристиана Вандера, барабанщика группы Magma и основоположника стиля zeuhl. Вместе с этим Йошида шагнул дальше и создал собственный уникальный сплав довольно противоположных, как по музыке, так и по атмосфере жанров - punk rock, noise rock с одной стороны, и progressive rock с другой.

Ruins biography:
RUINS formed in Japan in 1985. The original idea (as legend has it) was for the band to be a power trio, but the guitarist didn't show up so they became, and remain, a power duo. They combine the raw energy of hardcore punk with progressive rock's flair and musicianship. There have been four line ups so far, featuring drummer/vocalist/main composer Yoshida Tatsuya with a succession of bassists.
Line up #1 featured Kawamoto Hideki, and released some singles and 12"s, but no albums as far as I know. The sound of this line up was very heavy and primitive, not helped by the fact that most of the recordings were done on 4 and 8 track machines. Version #2 featured Kimoto Kazuyoshi on bass, violin and vocals. They put out 2 studio albums, 'Ruins' (1988) and 'Stonehenge' (1990). The prog influences became more obvious on these recordings, and the sound is a bit more accessible. Version #3 had Masuda Ryuichi on bass, and put out the excellent 'Burning Stone' (1992). Line up #4, which is still going, features Sasaki Hisashi on bas and vocals, and Sasaki also contributes some compositions. This line up takes things to a new level of complexity, which is well displayed on 'Pallaschtom' (2000). The use of 6 string bass and MIDI technology has enabled them to sound like much more than a bass/drums duo.
RUINS have put out an incredible amount of material, with many live recordings and one-off contributions to compilations, and Yoshida Tatsuya also manages to work on several other projects simultaneously, something like a Japanese Chris Cutler. As well as their duo albums, they have also collaborated with many other artists, such as Derek Bailey and GUAPO. Yoshida has also toured with SAMMLA MAMMAS MANNA as their drummer in recent years. In 2000 a compilation, '1986-1992', was put out, which probably tells you all you need to know about the early releases, most of which are now unavailable. 'Pallaschtom' is an excellent release from the current line up, which includes the 'Prog Rock Medley' (39 songs in under 3 minutes) and also 'Classical' and 'Hard Rock' medleys. 'Symphonica' features an expanded line up (keyboa...RUINS formed in Japan in 1985. The original idea (as legend has it) was for the band to be a power trio, but the guitarist didn't show up so they became, and remain, a power duo. They combine the raw energy of hardcore punk with progressive rock's flair and musicianship. There have been four line ups so far, featuring drummer/vocalist/main composer Yoshida Tatsuya with a succession of bassists.
Line up #1 featured Kawamoto Hideki, and released some singles and 12"s, but no albums as far as I know. The sound of this line up was very heavy and primitive, not helped by the fact that most of the recordings were done on 4 and 8 track machines. Version #2 featured Kimoto Kazuyoshi on bass, violin and vocals. They put out 2 studio albums, 'Ruins' (1988) and 'Stonehenge' (1990). The prog influences became more obvious on these recordings, and the sound is a bit more accessible. Version #3 had Masuda Ryuichi on bass, and put out the excellent 'Burning Stone' (1992). Line up #4, which is still going, features Sasaki Hisashi on bas and vocals, and Sasaki also contributes some compositions. This line up takes things to a new level of complexity, which is well displayed on 'Pallaschtom' (2000). The use of 6 string bass and MIDI technology has enabled them to sound like much more than a bass/drums duo.
RUINS have put out an incredible amount of material, with many live recordings and one-off contributions to compilations, and Yoshida Tatsuya also manages to work on several other projects simultaneously, something like a Japanese Chris Cutler. As well as their duo albums, they have also collaborated with many other artists, such as Derek Bailey and GUAPO. Yoshida has also toured with SAMMLA MAMMAS MANNA as their drummer in recent years. In 2000 a compilation, '1986-1992', was put out, which probably tells you all you need to know about the early releases, most of which are now unavailable. 'Pallaschtom' is an excellent release from the current line up, which includes the 'Prog Rock Medley' (39 songs in under 3 minutes) and also 'Classical' and 'Hard Rock' medleys. 'Symphonica' features an expanded line up (keyboards and 2 female vocalists) and is probably the most accessible release under the RUINS banner, and shows that Yoshida has a real compositional gift, but be warned that their duo releases are very different