Before I attended this gig I had made a point of listening to The Runes’ music online and I was impressed but not overwhelmed. So often with bands who draw great influence from The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, their attempts at original songwriting never seems to be distanced enough from the lively, funk driven rhythms of their Californian heroes. However, once The Runes started playing, I was pleasantly surprised to hear them adopt a different style and approach in their own performance.  | | Benny Brooke |
The band appeared very casual as they donned their instruments and proudly took their places in front of the growing crowd. Each band member looked like they had just walked out of the Pop-Idol dressing rooms from which they had been groomed to perfection. As the band began playing, it became obvious that The Runes were driven by very contemporary styles of music and fashion. From the outset, the band looked and sounded very comfortable apart from the huge amount of feedback that was squealing its way out of the PA speakers. The large group of supporters in the crowd cheered and screamed as the band effortlessly reeled off song after song of funky pop-rock, a mixture of both covers and their own original material. Although their RHCP influence was clearly showing through, the bands subtle, melodic, tuneful rock songs showed promise when performed live.  | | Will Kricka |
Lead vocalist Olli Croome was an enigmatic frontman. He immediately launched himself into the gig and began putting on a show for his female supporters in the crowd. His voice was punchy yet soft and his stage display was animated and committed. He simultaneously engaged his fellow band members and the crowd as he danced his way across the floor. He was backed up with technically proficient musicians who had obviously spent hours in their rooms practicing their respective instruments. Will Kricka on guitar was smooth and precise whilst Benny Brooke on bass effortlessly controlled his bass guitar that emanated distinctive bass lines direct from the ‘Flea’ handbook. Drummer Tom Brown sat very relaxed behind his drum kit. He came across as fairly simplistic in keeping the beat but he certainly had the knack for some pretty complicated drum fills when he felt the need to. The band were tight, well rehearsed and combined with their high level of musical ability, you couldn’t really ask for much more.  | | Oli and Tom |
Through all of this however, I wasn’t completely converted into another die-hard fan. Their original music was overshadowed by the covers they played and the audience seemed more interested in the popular songs than they did in the bands own crafted numbers. The band at times reminded me of a ‘party band’ and their pop tendencies did not help their cause. Bands like Rooster and McFly sprang to mind as I listened further and I have to say that this is a mile away from the creditability earned by great bands such as The Chilli Peppers which The Runes clearly admire a great deal. The technical ability of The Runes was obviously there, just the soul seemed missing. Criticisms aside, The Runes remain a very marketable band. They stand just as much chance, if not slightly more of a chance of being successful than any other unsigned band. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if their very up-to-date music was spotted by record companies and snapped up. I wish them luck in their quest. | 
