 |
The Runaway Boys
The Runaway Boys are coming to town. Lock up your daughters, run for your lives, this foursome is for real and they are here to stay. With a helping of old school rock and roll driven with new school guitar, standup bass and a punk rock drummer, the Runaway Boys have made their way into the hearts of fans seeking music with a twist.
Jon Burbank, guitarist and background vocalist describes the bands music in the following manner, "Hmmm. We play rock and roll, I guess. Kind of like real crazy country music or something like that". "Better yet" quips Dewey Nielsen, lead vocalist and second guitarist for the band, "we are a lot like Guns and Roses meets Johnny Cash". Burbank smiles and ads, "Yeah, and we do three part harmonies and a lot of crazy onstage antics".
Burbank and Nielsen began the RB's when they met in a restaurant after each had played gigs for their own bands. After some conversation about twisted country music, the two decided to get together and have some fun. They picked up Andy Langridge (Snake) who then agreed to purchase a standup bass, and started scheduling shows. Five days prior to the first show, as the guys were getting a bit nervous, they asked drummer Andy Rice (Cupcake) to fill in for the upcoming events. His punk rock background was an immediate match for the rest of the band, and they have been playing their mix of evil country ever since.
The group is currently working on their full length CD, but sells the six song demo CD at shows, as well as shirts and stickers. Burbank recorded and produced their demo CD himself, and plans to take on the challenge of the full length album next. "We have some really sweet new songs that are fun to play, they really kick butt", Nielsen says in a secretive fashion. Burbank smiles and nods knowingly at him, then leaves to make sure his car has not been towed yet from the short term parking spot they found. "We never want to be rock stars. We want to pack houses and make a living playing music, but don't need MTV or commercial radio", Nielsen explains. "I never listen to the radio at all, since all that they play is lame music", Burbank adds as he returns with no parking ticket and a smile.
Playing shows at the likes of the Ballard Firehouse in Seattle and Club Cocodrie in San Francisco, this young four piece has made some big steps in its short life. In order to complete the first west coast tour, the band bought a Ford van for one dollar. "Man, this thing shook and felt like certain death above 45 mph!" laughs Nielsen, "yeah, but we sold it back to the same guy we bought it from for one dollar when we came home!" touts Burbank proudly.
The RB's are performing at Oregon State University on May 11th, and are talking to the Governor's Cup and Boons Treasury about booking a few shows here in Salem. The band can be found at www.therunawayboys.com on the internet for a list of upcoming show dates and locations, as well as sound files and more.
-MS
|
|
