Charming Ruins
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada | SELF
Music
Press
The “power duo” seems unnecessary enough to be abandoned into the bottomless armpit of rock and roll marketing gimmicks.And yet, the form consistently produces roundhouse kick ass albums (White Stripes, Death From
Above 1969, Japanther, Lightning Bolt, Hella, Sleigh Bells, etc).While thinking this through, I had a revelation.The “power duo” is rock and roll at its most basic, stripped down to ONLY the necessary components: melody and rhythm.This is why I like Charming Ruins. Rob Viscardis and Steve Kerslakeuse their limitation to its fullest advantage on their debut EP so that, despite the obvious single “Can’t Stop Loving You” lyrically revolving around the most central song trope, they get me. Blues inflected guitar and falsetto backups, there is strong inspiration from the American desert rock phenomenon of the early-mid 2000’s.Fans of Queens of the Stone Age and especially Eagles of Death Metal will dig Charming Ruins.
Listen to “Can’t Stop Loving You” at charmingruins.bandcamp.com - Trent Arthur
Charming Ruins @ Murphy’s Jan 28 2012 Review
Charming Ruins take the stage first. This band hits it big, and throw sounds that fill the set like there’s way more people on stage. They have a nice low-fi, bluesy rock feel. Dirty southern rock with a grungy twist, these guys keep the crowd swaying. A throw-back to the late 60’s/early 70’s, they have the rhythm (and the big hair) to back it up. This is simple, blues rock done exactly how it’s supposed to be done. Charming Ruins take their name and personify it in the best possible sense. Well freaking done. - Durham-Live
It seems that musical styles and genres are cyclical. Like clockwork, what was once popular goes out of style only to emerge again on top 20 years later. That is why this writer is ecstatic that we are entering the year 2012 and the rock and roll style that was popular in the 90’s is surfacing once again.
Of course, the 90’s style was a resurgence of the 70’s, one of the greatest decades for rock and roll. Bands like Blind Melon and Screaming Trees were a throwback to 70’s where as those like Nirvana and Pearl Jam took classic rock and pushed the envelope to create the genre new rock that the 90’s were so well known for.
So here we sit, 20 years after the creation of new rock, and once again we are starting to see bands with the spirit of the 70’s and 90’s that have their own current flavour. With this influx of great music we are seeing groups come out of the woodwork such as The Sheepdogs and The Black Key. (Yes, the Black Keys have been kickin’ it for a while, but no one can deny their increase in popularity over the past couple years.)
Charming Ruions, EP Review
Charming Ruins is the latest band to emerge on this scene that draws influence from the 70’s and 90’s. The dynamic duo, Rob Viscardis and Steve Kerslake, have just released their EP titled “Reckless Abandon” recorded at House of Wands Studio in Ennismore, Ontario. Listen to the EP and you would never know that it was created by only 2 musicians. Both Viscardis and Kerslake play multiple instruments and contribute vocals that create the full sound found of Reckless Abandon.
The 6 track EP begins with the gritty rock track “Can’t Stop Loving You”. The raw rock and roll sound of this track paves the way for the rest of the EP. It gives a little preview into the catchy melodies, guitar riffs and beats that make you want to groove.
Like any great EP, you have to follow up the opening smash with another hit and Charming Ruins achieved this with their second track “Disease Please”. The track begins simply enough with a kick and piano riff then rapidly expands to include organ, tambourine, bass and guitar. Viscardis’ vocals are reminiscent of Mick Jagger circa 1971, Sticky Fingers album; mixed with a quick tempo and catchy hooks this song it likely to be a favourite of any listener.
Charming Ruins, EP Review
The third track on Reckless Abandon slows the EP down to sexy blues tempo. The aptly named “Bated Breath” speaks of the dangers and fun of taking risks, and questions whether these are half as interesting as the day that you die. These dark lyrics compliment the slow sultry guitar and slow clash of the drums while setting the tone for the next two tracks.
Track 4 is an intro to track 5, “Wild Eyes”. The intro consists of smooth guitar solo that gives a sneak peek into the rhythm of the song that follows. Wild Eyes is the second blues track on this EP, but unlike the dark lyrics of Bated Breath, this one describes finding romance and kissing in the moonlight. It also demonstrates the range of Viscardis’ voice; the previously classic rock quality is replaced by a more new rock sound complete with vibrato. This is the perfect transition for the end of the EP in that it complements the bluesy feel of the middle tracks but lifts the spirits to get the listener ready for the final song.
“Wonderin’ Why” rounds out Reckless Abandon by returning to the fast paced, raw gritty rock and roll. It once again pulls in catchy riffs and hooks that will make you want to get on the dance floor and lose yourself in the moment.
Charming Ruins, EP Review
Overall, Charming Ruins did a great job of choosing tracks that complement each other well and create a really well rounded EP. They captured the spirit of the 70’s and 90’s while pushing the genre forward to a more current sound.
They recently played at The Silver Dollar Room here in Toronto and their set list included songs from the EP as well as (currently) unrecorded tracks. You may be wondering at this point if only 2 guys on stage can pull off a live set that does justice to the EP. The answer is a resounding “yes!” (See some video of their performance here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZIUfOBxwZo).
Viscardis and Kerslake are both seasoned performers who have great stage presence and had the whole bar jumping… literally, the floor was bouncing under the feet of people dancing.
The Charming Ruins EP, Reckless Abandon, can be purchased through their website http://charmingruins.com/ by clicking on “Store” and is pay-what-you-can (but don’t be “that guy”, please enter a number higher than zero). - Mizrebelrecords
Charming Ruins are a hard-rocking duo from Peterborough, ON. The band combines ferocious psychedelia with gritty blues rock on their debut EP Reckless Abandon (which comes out Friday). - TO Snobs Music blog
he Charming Ruins bring their energetic classic rock sound to The Spill Dec. 16.
Based in Peterborough, the band has made a name over the past year by splicing classic rock rhythms with punkier attitudes, with a healthy dose of the blues and some big fat riffs.
The band is a two-piece in the vein of The Black Keys, with Rob Viscardis on guitar and Steve Kerslake drumming.
The Dec. 16 show is the launch for the band's debut album, an EP called Reckless Abandon that will be released on CD, cassette and digital download.
The first single, Can't Stop Loving You, can be heard online at www.charmingruins.com. - Peterborough Examiner
Discography
Single - "Can't Stop Loving You"
EP - "Reckless Abandon"
http://charmingruins.bandcamp.com
Photos
Bio
Charming Ruins are a band fresh to the scene in Ontario based out of Peterborough. They have become known over the past year for exciting, energetic live shows with blistering songs and tones that leave audiences blown away. “Viscardis and Kerslake are both seasoned performers who have great stage presence and had the whole bar jumping… literally, the floor was bouncing under the feet of people dancing.” (-Mizrebel Records)
They draw influences from an array of styles over many eras, but are often compared to more modern acts such as the Black Keys and the White Stripes - perhaps as a result of being a duo, but also in their heavy blues styling as well. “The band combines ferocious psychedelia with gritty blues rock…” (- TO Snob)
The music is very powerful and strong, but there is a sense of vulnerability in the lyrics and vocals. Rob Viscardis is behind the songwriting for Charming Ruins, whose name was derived from Rob’s style of photographic art, which he has practiced extensively in addition to his musicianship. The band has released a debut EP entitled ‘Reckless Abandon.’ “Listen to the EP and you would never know that it was created by only 2 musicians.” (-Mizrebel Records) The 5-song EP features artwork done by Rob, which ties together his two creative passions.
Their songs are emblazoned with simplistic rock and roll flavor, achieved live with a two-piece set up with Rob on guitar and Steve Kerslake on drums. “You may be wondering at this point if only 2 guys on stage can pull off a live set that does justice to the EP. The answer is a resounding ‘yes!’…” (-Mizrebel Records)
They have recently shared the stage with the Pack A.D, C’mon, Hollerado, The Sadies, Indian Handcrafts, Bloodshot Bill and BBQ just to name a few.
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