Interview: Run Brother Run

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

I think music has always been a part of me, from even an early age when my cousin use to do recordings of madness on tapes for me to listen, but I think the biggest turning point was seeing soundgarden live. It was my first gig and the energy and power from what I saw made me go I want to do that. I guess if I was not doing music I would be doing what I do anyway which is IT programming as I love music but at the minute it doesn’t pay for food or beer haha.

What do you like to do when you're not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

Apart from work I mostly spend time with my wife and son, I guess they influence me in the fact I want to create something that one day I can turn to my son and go “look what your dad did”. Hopefully he will be proud but he might just think god Dad do you have to keep showing me your music I get it.

How long has your band been around?

Run Brother Run started as a way to keep me sane during lockdown in 2020. It kinda did that and more.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

Newcastle UK

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you.

I was reading the Book Run Brother Run and after coming up with loads of other ideas that people went that sucks, I suggested this and got a yeah that sounds cool so kept it.

Tell me about the best and worst shows you have played.

Best 2 shows I have ever played are Camden Rocks with my old band, it was a dream of mine to play that festival, so I was on cloud nine. and the other is either Supporting Funeral for a Friend in Sunderland in 2013 as they are one of my favorite bands so I was kind of star struck or possibly a crazy gig in Thirsk of all places as my band at the time had played there once before and sold all our merch, so when we returned as we were on tour we suddenly had 120 kids singing the 7 songs from our ep word for word in this jam packed venue, it was surreal. Also, it was probably the hottest shows I’ve played as sweat was dripping of the ceiling. Worst show was with my first band, the drummer booked us this gig at a pub in the middle of nowhere and as he thought he was this big shot music guy he booked the show, bragged that it was going to be huge and we were going to get paid hundreds etc, well we showed up and he forgot to book a support, do any promotion, do anything really besides book a 200 capacity venue and try and charge £5 on the door. We actually played to 3 people. Suffice to say he never booked a gig again and there was a lot of ill feelings that night.

Tell me about your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you haven't already?

Locally I love playing at Trillians rock bar and the think tank as the atmosphere can be great. But the best place I’ve played was probably the rockmantic festival at Carlisle, the stage, sound and audience were the best

If you could play any show with any lineup who would be on the ticket?

Rise Against Anti-Flag Wildhearts Hundred reason

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band?

Play from the heart and be passionate and move on stage. No one wants to see a band looking bored. Also practice the songs to the point you don’t have to even think about it.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

Have faith that you can do this and sack the drummer – he will know which drummer I mean lol.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Burning taste of pills, it’s a big reflection of some dark thoughts I was having and needed to get out.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

The one that seems to get the most likes is either zombie eyes or Burning taste of Pills. I enjoy playing all of them to be honest.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

I start with Drums and bass and work from that as if you have a good backbone, you can use guitars and vocals to add the feelings. I think what inspires me is my feelings the most, I put them into the songs in every part is something I’m going through or feeling

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

The lyrics can be quite personal but also I hope that people can find some hope in them as I did when writing them as they can be positive even though some songs appear dark. Also I have some songs going on about they state of the world which I hope would get people thinking.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

No disagreements as its just me writing and the rest play live so unless I’m mad at myself its pretty easy going.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that's coming up?

The debut Ep is out now but I’m working ep2 with a few contributions on parts and organizing the live band for the future for shows