Album Tracks - Real Audio
*Please Respect Our Neighbours from 'No Hints, No Clues, No Lies'
*Avril from 'Good People's Highway'
*Thornbury from 'Before We Lost It'
*Casino from 'self titled' EP

Ruck Rover releases available from the Candle Online Store - also at Itunes

Interview - Real Audio
*Triple J Radio Interview - 2000

Ruck Rover's eagerly awaited new album 'No Hints, No Clues, No Lies' is their most eclectic and best yet. The album is spring loaded with their signature pop songs that combine the songwriting genius of Stanley Paulzen and Rob Clarkson. It all seems so effortless for Ruck Rover to take their acute social observations and team it with infectious melodies and produce an album that will charm the pants off you. After their successful 'Before We Lost It' and 'Good People's Highway' albums, this time around they've broadened their pop sensibilities to include huge splatterings of acoustic guitar and keyboards.

Lyrically it's not just all their trademark cleverness and flippancy with melancholy often not far from the surface. 'No Hints, No Clues, No Lies' has so many highlights including the acoustic sparse opener ‘Please Respect Our Neighbours’, the quirky ‘Chat Room’ about a man’s strange habits whilst trying to find love on the internet. And Rob Clarkson has rarely been in better form, in both voice and songwriting, than ‘Other People's Good News'. This album is an absolute must for Ruck Rover fans and anyone that has seen them live recently will know how good these songs are.

Message From Rob Clarkson About 'No Hints, No Clues, No Lies'
"The guy behind the counter at the cafe in which I now sit just gave me a card which reads, in part, "Purchase 6 Vittoria Coffee's and enjoy your 7th Vittorian Coffee FREE of charge!" If I'm to stay here and take advantage of what must surely be one of Melbourne's greatest consumer-friendly offers, there's a fair chance that this blurb will contain CAPITALISED WORDS in a similar manner.

Bloody hell. The second paragraph. The second coffee's on it's way. The reason I've gathered you all here today is to talk a little about Ruck Rover's album number FREE "No Hints, No Clues, No Lies." the difficult third album, as they say. It's predecessors "Before We Lost It" and "Good People's Highway" were firmly in the tradition of melodic, four-on-the-floor, turn-of-the-century guitar pub-pop. A tradition that's notable in that it has one of the longest titles in the history of traditions, and which begs the question: What on earth has happened to the tradition of naming traditions and if THIS federal government isn't going to do something about it then who on earth will? I mean, I thought that was exactly the sort of shit that they were into.

"No Hints, No Clues, No Lies" is a broader piece of work that it's forebears. It's hard to know if we've used more colours on a similar sized canvas, or the same colours within a larger frame, but I think you get what I mean. We approached this album with something like this in mind: rather than simply "Right, here's the song, here are our parts, let's bang it down," which is the traditional method (not that there's anything wrong with that) we pretty much decided each song would be examined on it's merits (or faults) and be sonically constructed in ways that would enhance those merits (or hide those faults). "Bass, drums and the two guitars", as lovely as that formula is, was not always the first choice, and often, not an option at all.

I present as evidence the creamy-rich keyboard sounds of the electro-pop "1000 times"; the acoustically sparse "Please Respect Our Neighbours" and "Matinee Saturday" and "Rearrange Your face" which falls somewhere between. The pseudo-ephedrine fuelled indie pop-rock thing hasn't been abandoned however, as "Chat Room" and "Mainland Sensibilities" demonstrate. Honestly, it was all about whatever a particular song demanded. When in Cairo - walk like an Egyptian. that's what we reckon.

Lyrically, you'll find the vague optimism of "It's Untitled" and "Something Good" contrasting with the disillusionment and near-turmoil of "Please Respect Our Neighbours" and "Another Try" sitting next to the narrative structures of "Mainland Sensibilities" and "Chat Room". But anyone with English as a first language (and many of you with it as your second language) will be able to interpret them more than adequately yourselves.

Michael Allen would have been made Australian of the Year for accepting the challenge of recording the band as well as being in it, if only he was a more competent cricketer. Cameron McKenzie and Owen Bolwell have been nominated as candidates for the Senate representing the Ruck Rover party at the coming Federal election for their work in mixing the album. Stanley Paulzen and myself wrote the songs.

Oh yeah, you know that other coffee I bought? Well, they forgot to stamp my card which meant despite having had two coffees I was still six away from enjoying a complimentary seventh. I hope "No Hints, No Clues, No Lies" doesn't leave you feeling similarly short changed."

'Good People's Highway' Album Recording Details

Dear friend,

We have finally completed our new album "Good People's Highway". We started recording it in September 2001 and finished it around November. Our good friend Cameron McKenzie took complete control of the recording, mixing and mastering process. He even produced it. He's a dream. We love him. He has a studio in Glenhuntly, Victoria. called "Station Place" which is just around the corner of some of the finest eating establishments in all of southeast Melbourne.

In between tracking we played car racing games on the computer and cricket on the vacant block of land next door. Mikey hit Stanley for a six over next door's fence and we never got the ball back. Rob spent everyday doing Cameron's dishes and giving the house a general tidy up. All in all the whole process was fun filled. Drumming duties on this album were shared between the ever brilliant Tony Floyd and the painfully punctual Stanley Paulzen who also sang and played guitar. Robert Clarkson played rhythm and lead guitar and did lots of singing too. Michael Allen did some singing and played the bass guitar. He made it look easy.

Our good friends Eva Sommerfeld sang and Mark Wallace played the accordion. Everything else was played or programmed by Cameron McKenzie. What a legend.

Anyhoo, hope things are good with you.

See you soon,
ruck rover.

Tracklisting (Descriptions By Ruck Rover)
1. AVRIL.
After a solid day at the Women's Cricket, Rob went home with his MILO showbag,(which he won) and penned this tune in homage to the right arm off breaker, Avril Fahey. Apparently she went home and wrote a song about him.
2.ARACHNIDPHILE.
Magazine inspired song concerning 18th-19th century law student cum astronomer J J L De lalande who lists his interests as eating spiders with his French aristocracy mates. Famous for being the first to measure the distance from the Earth to the Moon. Listen for the "Hooked on Bach" guitar line.
3. ENGLISH TOURISTS.
Reminiscent of The Fall's "British People in Hot Weather" only nastier, and a kind of reply to that band's "Australians in Europe", English Tourists gives a barman's eye view of British Backpackers. You'll find the chorus stuck in your head for days.
4. THE MOTOR SCOOTER.
Ruck Rover meets Tears for Fears in the only song ever written about riding and falling off a motorbike.
5. HYPNOTHERAPY.
With a jaunty R'n'b feel, Hypnotherapy details the joys of being near someone who makes you feel stupid. Or being nearly stupid with someone who makes you feel. Or something. With soaring backing vocals and a backwards guitar solo this song is about 4mins. 15secs.
6. SO LONG SUPERMODEL.
A thrashy tune about being in a comfortable relationship.
7. WHY DON'T THE POOR TAKE UP TENNIS?
Raunchy power pop in which Eva so beautifully pronounces "Let them eat cake."
8. WHAT'S MY HANDICAP?
Standing behind me at the gig a drunken punter keeps yelling,"Daft Punk Ess, Daft Punk Ess". Finally not being able to take anymore I turn to him and say..."It's Daft Punk esque you idiot. You know with a K."
9. ROADKILL.
120bpm. You are living our dream.
10. SWINGING HANDS.
A riffin', rocker dedicated to those of you who are waking up next to somebody new.
11. RUNAWAY SHOES.
Cover version of a Fred Astereo song, seminal doo wop group of the late nineties/ early zeroes. Where are they now?
12. ROCKIN' CHORUS.
"Successful guitar bands are sometimes quite predictable..." Not us. We're not successful.

'Good People's Highway' Release Sheet
Take a trip down the 'Good People’s Highway' with Ruck Rover behind the wheel. Feel good has never felt so good. The band delivering it in spades with their trademark blend of humour, harmonies and guitar fuelled pop. The songwriting and vocals are shared by Rob Clarkson and Stanley Paulzen who are perfectly in tune with each other with melodies that stick in your head for days to come. After the success of their ‘Before We Lost it’ album with their suburban ode ‘Thornbury’, the band have stepped up a gear with their most self-assured work yet.

They start their trip with the infectious ‘Avril’. After a solid day at the Women's Cricket, Rob went home with his Milo showbag, (which he won) and penned this tune in homage to the right arm off breaker, Avril Fahey. Apparently she went home and wrote a song about him.

Along the way they pass ‘English Tourists’, reminiscent of The Fall's ‘British People in Hot Weather’ only nastier, and a kind of reply to that band's ‘Australians in Europe’, ‘English Tourists’ gives a barman's eye view of British Backpackers. The best detour on the album happens on ‘The Motor Scooter’, simply an amazing song.

Ruck Rover’s humour is never more evident than their solution to poverty on ‘Why Don’t The Poor Take Up Tennis?’ After some ‘Roadkill’ they work out how to write the perfect radio hit using a ‘Rockin Chorus’. And Ruck Rover’s take on all this: “Successful guitar bands are sometimes quite predictable. Not us. We're not successful.”

‘Good People’s Highway’ is a trip you’ll revisit many a time. Ruck Rover write songs with a down to earth appeal with a huge dose of catchiness. This album is further evidence of Stanley Paulzens’ and Rob Clarksons' compatibility as songwriters . A shared skill in creating addictive pop songs with melody and wit. A perfect match that not even Greg Evans could deny.

'Before We Lost' Album Information
Intelligence. Irony. Pop. Who would of thought all three could co-exist? Well Melbourne’s Ruck Rover deliver it all, time after time on their debut album ‘Before We Lost It.’ Rob Clarkson and Stanley Paulzen share the songwriting and vocals duties on the 11 tracks tackling all of todays big issues. What on earth would we eat if vegetables had feelings? (Vegetables). How do you get through a crowd carrying a milkshake? (Mr. Jo Bangles). And what to do when you take a day off work? (Vicky Took A Sicky).

Ruck Rover’s special brand of power pop doesn’t get much better than the first track and single ‘Thornbury’. Laden with great harmonies and the catchy refrain ‘I don’t want to hear about what you did or what you say you did’, you know something special is going on. And then they dare to continue the quality all the way through the album.

The Ruck Rover team is rounded out by Tom Jackman (drums) and Michael Allen (bass) providing one of the best, fit and impressive outfits in town. The band’s recent live shows have been magical, as observed by Beat Magazine.

‘Ruck Rover are about to release their debut album 'Before They Lost It' and with two of Australia's best songwriters on board in Rob Clarkson and Stanley Paulzen, it should be kicker. Last years EP gave glimpse to what will follow, and if evidence of Friday's gig is anything to go by, the album will not disappoint. In spite of the Lucksmiths taking top-billing, Ruck Rover possibly shaded their internationally groomed label mates on the night. Not that anyone was competing or keeping score. But just to let you know how good Ruck Rover were.’

With their debut EP selling out twice, a strong loyal group of fans and a US release of this album the band are ready to step up and a play a strong four quarters. And like every band, Ruck Rover know they’ll get crappy one day, but for now want to make a little hay while the sun still shines. Hope you enjoy their album ‘Before We Lost It.’

Ruck Rover Band History
Melbourne band formed in 1998 after about half a dozen phone calls. 'Let's get a band together' said the voice down the phone. 'Who is this and how did you get my number?' came the reply. Eventually the four men convened in a Fitzroy rehearsal room and said as one 'We are Ruck Rover!' Pledging next time to bring instruments , these matters of organisational skills went home quietly not knowing what lay before them. And what was their destiny?

Plenty of gigs and in 1999 the release on Candle Records of their self-titled 6 track EP. warm reviews (and one dismissive review) greeted the release and several members of the public decided the EP be a good way to part with $10. In the winter of '99, Ruck Rover set about recording an album. Under the watchful eye of guitar supremo Paul Thomas, 11 songs began to take shape. An entirely tantrum-free process, this was an exercise in professionalism.

The songs tackle all todays big issues. How do you get through a crowd carrying a milkshake and a thickshake? What on earth would we eat if vegetables had feelings? And how complete is a life spent watching televised sport?

Ruck Rover know they'll get crappy one day, but want to make a little hay while the sun still shines. Please enjoy their debut album 'Before We Lost It.'

The Ruck Rover story year by year - 1996.
With the demise of Stanley’s band ‘tlot tlot’ and Rob walking out on his solo career, the two boys decide to start a new and exciting band.

The Ruck Rover story 1997.
The boys still think they should start a new and exciting band and therefore make a commitment to get on with it real soon.

The Ruck Rover story 1998.
With the millennium ticking away, Rob and Stanley decide to start a new and exciting band as soon as possible, so they call up their good friends Michael Allen (Things of stone and wood) and Tom Jackman (Ricaine) to see if they would like to play with them. They both say yes.

The Ruck Rover story 1999.
After hundreds of rehearsals and a couple of gigs, ruck rover agree that to make it big they will need a product of some description so they record a low budget, hi jinx, compact disc and give it the name ‘ruck rover’!

The EP has six songs covering subjects such as, driving, gambling, loving, slipping, changing gears and living by the sea all played in a style that could best be descibed as ‘nearly pop’.

The Ruck Rover story 2000
Ruck Rover are on the edge of great things. Well, close to great things. Their debut album 'Before We Lost It' has gone through all the appropriate tests is now available from Candle. You have be warned.

The Ruck Rover story 2001 and beyond
A lot of people thought fame changed the Ruck Rover guys. But they were always arseholes. And with the unprecedented success of "Before They Lost It" they became cashed-up arseholes. Their lifestyles were unrecognisable from 12 months before. A vacuous routine of opening night parties, pro-am golf tournaments and guest spots on Channel 9 celebrity quiz shows left little time for song writing and rehearsing. Realising the decay was setting in, Candle supremo Chris Crouch called the boys together. "What's happened to you guys?" he asked. "Once it was all about the music, and now...well, now you just make make me wanna puke." The band remained silent. Some of them struck mute by the first chastising words they'd heard in months, the other just trying to remember which Big Brother starlet he was meant to be accompanying to the "Planet of the Apes" premiere that night. At last someone spoke. "Dammit Crouchy, you're right! Look at us guys!" He got to his feet. "We're shells of the rock-pop band we were when we got to the top back in 2000! A lot of people are saying there are question marks around this band at the moment, but that's completely ignoring the exclamation marks and commas...and yeah, even the colons." The rest of the band shifted uneasily on their chairs. It always got like this when one of them spoke for too long. "We're going back into the studio, Chris. And you know when we're going to do it? When a ruck rover should be doing things he wants to be remembered for! September!" And then they all went home and wrote some songs, Except for the one who went to that film with Jemma!

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