{"id":570,"date":"2025-06-24T15:58:49","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T03:58:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/?p=570"},"modified":"2025-06-24T15:59:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T03:59:14","slug":"total-ruin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/2025\/06\/total-ruin","title":{"rendered":"Total Ruin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Total Ruin was a three-piece punk band formed in late 2016\/early 2017 in Wellington, New Zealand, by James Quick (bass, vocals), Chris Hardy-Jones (drums), and Kyle (guitar). Known for their “scuzzy sewer punk” sound, the band delivered obnoxious feedback noise, monotonous drumming, and relentless repetition, echoing the style of Quick\u2019s earlier outfit, Influence<\/a><\/strong> (2011-2012). Their music, layered with abrasive guitars and vocals, explored themes of torture, decay, and isolation, with tracks like \u201cKatorga – The Lingering Death<\/em>\u201d addressing forced labor in communist penal colonies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2017, Total Ruin released an eight-song demo tape through Wellington\u2019s Zero Style<\/a><\/strong> label. They performed at notable events, including Neil Roberts Day<\/a><\/strong> in November 2017, and played sporadic gigs over the next five years, including a short tour with Piggery<\/a><\/strong> and Pantihero<\/a><\/strong> to Whanganui and Palmerston North, and a support slot for Unsanitary Napkin<\/a><\/strong> at Newtown Bowls Club in August 2018. In 2019, they released a four-song EP via Limbless Music<\/strong>, contributed a track to the Hairy Palm Vol.3<\/strong> compilation, and appeared on a split with power violence band Stress Ghetto<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the quantity of recorded material released, Total Ruin\u2019s live activity dwindled. Their final known performance was in November 2023 at the Berhampore Warehouse<\/strong> alongside Unruly<\/a><\/strong> and Dole Bludger<\/a><\/strong>. The band has not been seen since. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Origin<\/strong><\/td>Wellington<\/td><\/tr>
Genre<\/strong><\/td>punk, noise<\/td><\/tr>
Years Active<\/strong><\/td>2017 – 2023<\/td><\/tr>
Labels<\/strong><\/td>Zero Style<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Associated Acts<\/strong><\/td>Influence
Meth Drinker
Exterminator<\/td><\/tr>
Current Members<\/strong><\/td>James Quick (bass)
Chris Hardy-Jones (drums)
Kyle (guitar)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Releases<\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Title<\/th>Date<\/th>Label<\/th>Type<\/th>Format<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Demo<\/strong><\/td>2017, March 18<\/td>Zero Style\/
Tropical Cancer Records<\/td>		demo<\/td>tape\/ DL<\/td><\/tr>
Stress Ghetto\/
Total Ruin<\/strong><\/td>		2019, Jan 19<\/td>Hairy Palm<\/td>split<\/td>5″ lathe<\/td><\/tr>
Hairy Palm Vol.3: Plastic Rites<\/td>2019, May 10<\/td>Hairy Palm<\/td>compilation<\/td>tape<\/td><\/tr>
Total Ruin<\/strong><\/td>2019, May 18<\/td>Always Never Fun
Limbless Music<\/td>		EP<\/td>7″\/ DL<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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