When Normal, Ill., natives The Run Around played a concert for the employees of Briggs & Stratton Monday afternoon, it was the band's first gig in Milwaukee -- and a warm-up for its official Brew City debut at this year's Summerfest.
The band emerged as victor of the Briggs and Stratton Battle of the Bands, scoring a high-profile slot at the fest opening for Blues Traveler.
They're excited, but mildly concerned that fest-goers might confuse them for a Blues Traveler tribute band. Their name, after all, is The Run Around. But frontman Jason Fein quickly informs us the name is not in any way a reference to Blues Traveler's 1994 smash hit, "Runaround."
"It's not our style of music or anything, but John Popper is like a god," says Fein. "He's one of the best harmonica players that ever lived, and a great musician."
Far from radio-friendly blues rock, The Run Around is a catchy, pop punk five-piece with the talent to beat out 776 other bands from around the world, including a top 10 representing the Italy, France and the United States.
The Run Around pulled it off with something like 100,000 online votes.
Four members -- Fein, Jason Enders, Brent Steinberg and Jared LeCount (Adam Sharp couldn't be there) stopped by the OnMilwaukee.com offices to chat about the big break and play a song or two from the new album, "Fight The Day."
OnMilwaukee.com: You've had a busy day so far. How did the concert at Briggs go?
Jason Fein: It was good. We played "Bo Diddley" with (Briggs & Stratton CEO and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame board member) John Shiely.
OMC: Have you really never played in Milwaukee before?
Jason Fein: We were supposed to open for Alkaline Trio earlier this year, but didn't. We might be playing with Mest and Hollywood Undead at The Rave on July 12.
OMC: But you're from Illinois; do you just play in Chicago?
JF: Yes, and a lot of college campuses -- that's our main demographic.
OMC: Do you think that helped you win the Battle of the Bands?
JF: We took advantage of our age (22-25). A lot of the bands were older and didn't have as many friends and family on Facebook. Our generation grew up with that so we used that to our benefit. We've gotten probably 2,000 Myspace friend requests in the last two weeks.
OMC: What else are you doing here in Milwaukee?
JF: We're singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch at the Brewers game on Saturday (June 27, 6:05 p.m.).
OMC: Well, that should get you a little attention. Are you looking to get signed to a major label?
JF: Yes. I'm not saying we're going to sign anything that's put in front of us; we're smarter than that. We don't want to be told what to write and what to sound like.
OMC: In this day and age, with the power of social media, do you need a big label to make it?
JF: It's a lot easier for independent bands to make it today, but there's no question that a major label still helps. There's a lot of fronting money that you can't necessarily come up with on your own.
The Run Around plays Summerfest at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28 on the Briggs & Stratton Big Back Yard stage. Before heading to the show, check out two members perform an acoustic version of "Henry" at The Dogs Bollocks, 2321 N. Murray Ave.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
