If you haven't already heard of the alternative rock band The Ruse, it's only a matter of time. The band, made up of lead singer John Dauer, guitarist Jim Bilus, drummer Jason Young and bassist Mark Stolze has been playing together since 2003 and independently released two albums.
Often, the word "independent" functions as a synonym for unknown. That is not the case with The Ruse. Lately, the band has garnered some mainstream attention. MTV's popular television show The Hills has featured several songs by The Ruse in various episodes.
The band, who lists both Tom Petty and Mute Math as influences, has also gone into the studio with prestigious music producer Danny Saber, who has worked with big names like U2 and David Bowie in the past. It seems as if The Ruse is perfectly poised to crossover into the mainstream musical consciousness.
Lead singer John Daune says that working with MTV "has been great. [Our music was featured] on seven out of nine episodes of The Hills last season and three out of four episodes this season." Daune believes that the widespread exposure will introduce The Ruse to a wider demographic of listeners.
"People are watching who wouldn't normally hear our music," he said, adding that "it's really fun to watch and hear our music."
Soon the band will be releasing their third independent album, TK. "It has been really interesting working with Danny Saber," said Dauer.
"It's the first time we've done a record with a producer, so we are sort of walking that line between taking everything we can get from him and giving our own input." The new album will explore different instruments and styles of music than the band has experimented with in the past.
However, long-time fans won't be disappointed with the disc. "We are going to make sure that the elements we think are important are still stamped on the record, along with something new and interesting," said Dauer.
With all of these career triumphs, it seems as if signing with a major record label would be the next logical step for the band.
However, the boys of The Ruse aren't interested in giving up their creative freedom for the status of a big name label.
"It is a timing thing," said Dauer, in reference to the possibility of signing a record deal. "When we find the right team of people, we would move in that direction, but keeping control is important in developing a band."
The band will be playing at Cumberland's venue on King Street, April 24. This isn't the first time The Ruse has been to Charleston.
"We played at Johnson's Pub last year and had a blast," Dauer said. "We can't wait to come back."
The Ruse is on the rise
