For starters, what bands if any were you guys a part of prior to forming The Ruckus?

We all came from very different backgrounds. Tomi and I have been playing in bands together for a few years. First was Earth2Audio when we first met back in 2012 and then Bonez in 2014, which led to the formation of The Ruckus. Before that Tomi played behind the kit in bands like Indigo Rising and The Medics and have always had a soft spot for the front man business carrying a guitar and singing songs solo around the country. I have been in countless bands in 4 continents while I searched for myself and Paul comes from a session background, playing with artists that vary from Steve Clisby to Jessica Mauboy and many international acts. And then we met in the middle and it worked.

How long have The Ruckus been around?

The Ruckus has been around since May 2015, when we officially launched the band alongside with our debut EP called Let's Get Weird at The Vanguard Theater in Newtown.

What’s the origin of that name and did you have any other names previously?

Whilst writing the material for the EP we used mine and Tomi's old project's name "Bonez" so we could get gigs and raise the dough for the studio fees. But it didn't make too much sense since the new line up was such a different beast to what we did before. One day we got offered a show in Brisbane and on the road we found ourselves listening to Wu-Tang and getting abnormally excited. So we decided that from that day on we'd bring The Ruckus everywhere we went.

Who writes your songs? Do you find there's a reoccurring theme throughout the new material?

All songs are written in collaboration of all members. We dig jamming and free forming and every time we do that, we improvise until it "sits" and feels right. It's a great feeling! Then we develop the structures based on that. We think it's the best way for us to portrait the band as a whole with everyone's unique feelings intertwined. The new material is taking shape and it's very interesting. There's no reoccurring themes per se but in fact, the demos are vastly varied style wise though at the same time quite cohesive. We believe it really shows the real colors of the bands identity.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

We all listen to very different music and as a collective band in which everyone's inputs into the songwriting are equally considered it's hard to pin point the specific bands that are inspiring the music that we're making. Although, I can say it varies from Kendrick Lamar to badbadnotgood to The Strokes to Alt-J to Royal Blood to anyone that makes music that gives us goose bumps or makes us headbang.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

A few but I think Pearl Jam in Pink Pop in 1992 is a winner. Absolutely incredible. We wish we were there but it was a long time ago. Thanks to YouTube we've watched it a million times.  

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any strange rituals?

We all have our little things. I like to be at the venue early to "climatise", Tomi goes to the toilet a lot and Paul usually naps backstage or anywhere there's a couch or a comfy carpet.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

Playing a massive show for 20000 scouts alongside names like Dead Letter Circus and Hands Like Houses was a big one. Also The Metro with Thirsty Merc earlier this year ticked a lot of boxes. But at every show, when people sing along and come to chat to us after the set and tell us that we made some sort of difference in their lives reminds us of the real purpose. The reason why we do what we do and love it so much.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

This list could go on endlessly but to name a couple, Pearl Jam because they're a genuine, bold and constantly evolving band that we could learn a lot from and Violent Soho because they look like a fun hang.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Take holidays, live, be good to each other and support live music.