Classic Ruins

In 1978, singer-guitarist Frank Rowe formed Classic Ruins with former Real Kids guitarist Billy Borgioli, which was a big deal among Boston-area rockers at the time since The Real Kids had been seen as the city’s brightest hope to bust out of town in ‘76/’77 on the wave of the punk movement. Kids’ leader John Felice stunned their throngs of fans by breaking up the band after just one album and going to work for The Ramones’ road crew (an act many considered akin to leaving the Red Sox and joining the New York Yankees).

The Real Kids’ split left Borgioli out of a job, but he didn’t stay unemployed for long. He may never have had the best voice around, but it suited his and Rowe’s brand of no-frills rock ‘n’ roll to a tee, and his dry, ironic songwriting style elevated what could have easily remained ordinary in someone else’s hands. Grabbing a rhythm section, Classic Ruins made it official by playing in the first WBCN Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble in 1979. The band didn’t win but, with a dogged persistence that typified their career, they quickly recorded their debut 7″ single on local label Ace of Hearts. Both songs, “Heart Attack” and “Nyquil Stinger,” got some exposure on the college radio dial and Classic Ruins became a sturdy and much-adored addition to the Boston scene.

In 1986, the group recorded the nine-song album Lassie Eats Chickens, following that three years later with Ruins Café. Although Borgioli eventually left the band, Rowe kept Classic Ruins active on the live circuit for a surprising number of gigs in the years that followed. Though it was obvious that nobody was going to get rich by playing in Classic Ruins, Rowe was happy to keep playing rock ‘n’ roll for anyone who’d listen. It’s either that or he was just trying to get out of the house.

(by Carter Alan)

Carter Alan is a former WBCN deejay now heard on WZLX-FM in Boston. He’s the author of Radio Free Boston: The Rise and Fall of WBCN (University Press of New England, 2013).