Shelflife records has given me some of my best musical moments this spring/summer, with brilliant releases from artists like Kuryakin, Days and now The Ruling Class. The format of their releases is quite special, since they combine the 7″ with a cd-ep in one release, – 2 songs on the 7″ and 4-5 different songs on the cd.

I’ve been waiting for the debut from The Ruling Class since I first wrote about the project quite a long time ago. Their “back to Madchester and britpop”-sound is extremely catchy and it’s almost impossible to sit still or be in a bad mood when the Ruling Class starts with their infectious Stone Roses-loving grooves. The Ruling Class borrows a lot of elements from the days when baggy clothes were the coolest fashion and the rockers found dancing acceptable again. They borrow, but they don’t copy. They do it their own way, and the songs are really good. It’s like they have refined the style and taken britpop onto the next step.

I understand that things have changed a bit in the band since these recordings were made. When I heard The Ruling Class the first time, “they” were basically “him”, – one man, the Swedish guitarist Tomas Kubowicz. Tomas found bassplayer Anton Lindberg in 2005, and drummer Alfonso Tammaro became the third member of the band soon after. The trio came in contact with producer Mark Wallis, who had worked with The Smiths, The La’s, The Go-Betweens and many others, and the recording session they did with him resulted in their official debut, this new Shelflife cd/7″ called “Tour de Force”. Tomas on guitar and vocals, Anton on bass and Alfonso on drums.

Now, when their debut is released, they are a full band, and Tomas has left the microphone to focus on the guitars and the songwriting. Jonathan Sutcliffe has taken over the vocal duties, and rhythm guitarist Andrew Needle has also been included in the band.

The next step for The Ruling Class will be a vinyl single on Fierce Panda‘s sub-label Fandango in July. I’m looking forward to it with curiosity!

You can order all Shelflife releases from the label’s website.

Here are some goodies from the Shelflife-archives, including The Ruling Class (all mp3s are from the label’s website):

The Ruling Class – Flowers

Kuryakin – Take my hand

Days – Simple thing