Dead Flowers Interviews The Ruling Class

Having interviewed a fair amount of established bands, I thought it was time to speak to an up-an-coming group, a band that had shown the potential to do great things. Tomas Kubowicz, lead guitarist and songwriter of London's The Ruling Class, moved from Sweden to put together a group influenced by legendary bands like The Stone Roses and Ride. Those being some of my main influences as well, it should come as no suprise that I really like the band's debut EP, Tour de Force. I spoke to Kubowicz about the move from Sweden, his band's place in the current London scene, and his approach to music making.

Dead Flowers: I think Americans have this idealized version of Sweden where there are all these great bands making great music in a great environment. But you must've had a different take if you chose to relocate to the UK...What went into that decision?

Tomas Kubowicz: Looking for suitable band members in Stockholm was really a struggle. Sweden, with its small population and with a music scene quite far off from where I was heading at, gave me no other alternative than to move to the UK and progress with what I was doing.

Still, finding people in London wasn't an easy task either. The music scene at the time had nothing to do with where I was aiming at, which you could tell by reading music/band ads and listening to what was played in clubs. Fortunately after a while things started to fall into place.

"Sleeping Beauty", from the Tour de Force EP

DF: At least in the UK, guitar music is in a bit of a lull, creatively and commercially. With the exception of you and a couple of other bands, there seems to be very little of note 'bubbling up' as well. How do you read the current music scene in the UK?

TK: Sadly, I can't really name one contemporary UK band which really "does it" for me. I am quite sound orientated and the sound I am passionate about is not really being made nowadays. Most of it is edgy, hard and dry in contrast to the round, floaty and wet sound I prefer.

DF: Which active bands do you most relate to?

TK: I try and listen to some new stuff now and then but never really get that same feeling as I get from music which was made 15-20 years ago. I mostly relate to bands which aren't active any longer.

Editor's Note: People who've read this site for any amount of time probably know I agree 100% with this statement.

DF: To me, "Sleeping Beauty" sounds like Ride covering "One Love" by The Stone Roses. Fair assessment?

TK: That was a new one. I guess the band references are right, but I personally see a different song in there.

"One Love" by The Stone Roses:

DF: I read in your bio that the Stone Roses debut had a big impact on you, but at least on the Tour de Force EP, I hear more of Second Coming. Are you one of those who feel that album was unfairly dismissed?

TK: I started to listen to The Stone Roses after they already had released both their albums. I therefore didn't see Second Coming as much as a let down as many people, who were waiting for the second release, did. For me the two records came at the same time, so I had no expectations on Second Coming.

Still it is the debut album which made me fall in love with the Stone Roses. It was something I never heard in my life before. So regarding to their two albums it is definitely the first one which had the strongest impact on my songwriting. Even though Second Coming has its moments, it is the debut that has the perfect pop songs.

DF: Definitely. One thing the Roses and Ride had in common was a great drummer. You seemed to have followed their lead in that respect...

TK: I must say I feel extremely lucky in finding such a great drummer as Alfie is. You really need someone that good to push the music to the next level, especially when doing this kind of stuff. It is also good to see the acknowledgement and praise Alfie gets in reviews and forums. He fully deserves it.

Live at The Barfly:

DF: Is there still room for innovation in guitar music?

TK: I think too many bands try too hard to be innovative which unfortunately works on the expense of the actual quality of music. Personally, I think good music today is an innovation in itself.

DF: What can we expect from your debut record?

TK: Great music. That kind of music people have either forgotten or have never heard before. I want the listeners to feel the same way I felt when listening to my biggest influences for the first time. A feeling of true optimism.

Thanks to Tomas for speaking with Dead Flowers!

Band Links:
Myspace
Last.fm