My Favourite Runner Up
Garry from SAN PR recently sent through details of the upcoming EP, Thoughts, Feelings, Actions, from UK Punk-rock group My Favourite Runner Up. Formed in 2006 and taking their lead from the likes of Jimmy Eat World, Lostprophets and New Found Glory, these guys are poised to break through in 2012, and could well be one to keep an eye on. Having already received airplay on Radio One and Kerrang Radio, these guys have been touring the country supporting the likes of Cerys Matthews, The Blitz Kids and Kids Can’t Fly. As such, when we were sent through a copy of the new EP, I was looking forward to seeing what was on offer.
From the opening moments of Let It Ride there’s an immediate sense of punky good times, the sort of music which is going to make you want to get out with some friends and check these guys out on the live scene. Jumpy riffs fuel the track whilst the pounding rhythm section backs everything up, everything adopting an edge of seriousness whilst still incorporating those funner elements of their influences. The vocals are quite possibly the most striking element of the track, adding in an element which makes you want to sing along, join in the embrace the track as a whole as it progresses. – particularly during the catchy chorus – give it one listen and you’ll be chanting along to ‘let it ride’ and ‘I’m ready for the world that left me behind’, cracking opening to the EP so far!
Our Time Now continues the theme of punk rock, once again launching us into a melee of distorted elements combined with plenty of melody to keep you engaged. The soaring riff which launches the track builds you up to think this could be a slightly heavier track, yet soon enough as the vocals kick in there’s a real sense of the likes of the Offspring and similar. Fast paced and airing back towards their punkier elements, this is the sort of track which will once again get crowds jumping, venues pumping and everyone firmly on board with the band. Moving through Start Living Today through to Drawing Board, the bar seems to continually be on the rise from these guys. Not content with setting themselves within a genre and doing what everyone would expect, each track seems to present a slightly different twist or turn to things, leaving me with Drawing Board as my personal favourite track from the EP purely for their ability to craft what could surely end up being an anthem.
Closing the EP with Separate Myself From Me there’s no doubt left in my mind that this is going to be an act to keep a very careful eye on. Emotionally tinged lyrics form around a pulsating backing track, the whole mix taking on that punk approach once again but this time, with more. The influences become clear throughout this track, throwing in elements of the likes of Jimmy Eat World and demonstrating that they’re not only able musicians but also damned fine songwriters at the same time. How do I come back from this is posed as a question during the song, and my answer, well, I think it’s too late guys – you’ve gone too far down the road to back out now!
Every once in a while we get a band come in that makes you sit up and take notice, makes you think about the future and suggests that they could well be a band to keep a very careful eye on, and that’s what’s happened here. Sure, there are going to be people who say this is just another punk rock band doing what’s already been done before, but does that really matter? Personally, I think we’ve got a band here who stand a good chance of getting their name well known, achieving some pretty good moments but most of all, a band who have produced an EP which you’re simply going to love.
To find out more about My Favourite Runner Up, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
From the opening moments of Let It Ride there’s an immediate sense of punky good times, the sort of music which is going to make you want to get out with some friends and check these guys out on the live scene. Jumpy riffs fuel the track whilst the pounding rhythm section backs everything up, everything adopting an edge of seriousness whilst still incorporating those funner elements of their influences. The vocals are quite possibly the most striking element of the track, adding in an element which makes you want to sing along, join in the embrace the track as a whole as it progresses. – particularly during the catchy chorus – give it one listen and you’ll be chanting along to ‘let it ride’ and ‘I’m ready for the world that left me behind’, cracking opening to the EP so far!
Our Time Now continues the theme of punk rock, once again launching us into a melee of distorted elements combined with plenty of melody to keep you engaged. The soaring riff which launches the track builds you up to think this could be a slightly heavier track, yet soon enough as the vocals kick in there’s a real sense of the likes of the Offspring and similar. Fast paced and airing back towards their punkier elements, this is the sort of track which will once again get crowds jumping, venues pumping and everyone firmly on board with the band. Moving through Start Living Today through to Drawing Board, the bar seems to continually be on the rise from these guys. Not content with setting themselves within a genre and doing what everyone would expect, each track seems to present a slightly different twist or turn to things, leaving me with Drawing Board as my personal favourite track from the EP purely for their ability to craft what could surely end up being an anthem.
Closing the EP with Separate Myself From Me there’s no doubt left in my mind that this is going to be an act to keep a very careful eye on. Emotionally tinged lyrics form around a pulsating backing track, the whole mix taking on that punk approach once again but this time, with more. The influences become clear throughout this track, throwing in elements of the likes of Jimmy Eat World and demonstrating that they’re not only able musicians but also damned fine songwriters at the same time. How do I come back from this is posed as a question during the song, and my answer, well, I think it’s too late guys – you’ve gone too far down the road to back out now!
Every once in a while we get a band come in that makes you sit up and take notice, makes you think about the future and suggests that they could well be a band to keep a very careful eye on, and that’s what’s happened here. Sure, there are going to be people who say this is just another punk rock band doing what’s already been done before, but does that really matter? Personally, I think we’ve got a band here who stand a good chance of getting their name well known, achieving some pretty good moments but most of all, a band who have produced an EP which you’re simply going to love.
To find out more about My Favourite Runner Up, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls