#RoadToStormBreakers2018 – RumRunners

Now in its second year, StormBreakers sees several bands perform live in front of a crowd and panel of judges at Bathgate’s Dreadnought Rock to secure a place at this year’s Winter Storm in November, following in the footsteps of last year’s inaugural winners Anchor Lane. With the running order not revealed until the night itself, we’re bringing you interviews from all the bands set to take the stage to give you a hint of what to expect on the night. If you’re planning on attending StormBreakers, we hope you make a new discovery or two, even if they don’t take home the coveted prize.

RumRunners (who we saw earlier this year) are the next band to tackle latest variation of our #RoadTo… questions.

RumRunners

Simple things first – where are you guys from?

Originally various parts of the UK but the three of us are currently based in and around Edinburgh.

How long have you been playing together as a band?

We’ve been jamming together for around three years now, but officially took up the RumRunners name about 18 months ago, and haven’t looked back since.

Where does the name of the band come from?

We had been watching a lot of prohibition based TV drama Boardwalk Empire at the time and fell for that Americana outlaw lifestyle, smuggling supplies to keep the parties alive. We wanted to do the same but for guitar-based rock.

Describe your music. What makes you unique?

We blend a lot of styles into our music, but I suppose it would probably fit under the groove rock category if you wanted to put a pin in it. Like any band we’re a product of a collection of influences, mainly rock, blues and funk. What’s unique? Probably the fact we’re not trying to sell a gimmick, we just play the music we love and hope people like it too.

What’s your live show like? How are you hoping to impress the judges?

As a three-piece outfit, it’s all about creating a big sound with a small setup. We like to keep things simple but keep the momentum going, there won’t be much time to take a breather in our set. We want the judges to feel like they’re in a hot rod running for the border with us….

Have you been to Winter Storm before?

Unfortunately not, but we are hoping this is our ticket in. Amazing to see it is sold out. That’s testament to a great lineup and organisers who really know what they are doing. Anyone got a spare ticket if we don’t get through?

How/when did you find out that you’d be playing StormBreakers?

Funnily enough, we found out from Mark (Robinson) while we were on tour with last year’s winner, Anchor Lane. We got the email whilst we were in the dressing room before we were about to go on stage at the Edinburgh show. It was a nice bit of coincidence so we had a few extra beers that night!

What sort of setlist can we expect?

We have been working on new material a lot recently, we’ve been wanting to build a more concise sound that’s built around big riffs, moody grooves and monster hooks. We still have a few from our previous records that are fan favourites but expect urgency and energy from the new tunes.  

Other than yourselves, who are you most looking forward to watch perform at StormBreakers?

Really looking forward to seeing Everyday Heroes, been digging the bluesy roots heavy rock combination. Altered Sky will no doubt put an awesome show, seen them a few times before. Haven’t heard much of Tomorrow is Lost so looking forward to seeing what they’re all about.

What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?

Nothing crazy to speak of, probably the usual crowd surfing, diving into the centre of a pit with steel toe caps flying. As a band you probably won’t see us diving off stage much, although I think Will almost took out an audience members eye when he took a solo at the front of the stage and got a bit carried away. Music can be dangerous!

What are you working on at the moment/your plans for the rest of the year?

We are due to head back into the studio again later this month, planning to track a few new tunes for release before December and early next year. We’ve also got a video shoot in the pipeline for a track off our debut EP Embers. We have a good run of shows lined up over the next few months, including gigs with Glasgow legends Mason Hill, as well as playing main support for British blues rock pioneers Savoy Brown.  Once we have these and a few other gigs done, and the new material is ready to go, we’ll be ready to plan our first headline tour. Watch this space…

Header image by Brian Anderson

Rumrunners: facebook | twitter | youtubebandcamp

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