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Phil
Harley |
Ian Whitehead |
Steve Rawlings |
Steve Johnson |
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(Bass) |
(Drums)
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(Guitars) |
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Playing on a regular
basis at pubs, clubs and private functions throughout the
Midlands, RoadRunner have built up a performance that brings
them many repeat bookings. The band has been in existence for the
last 14 years and its current line up was established in 1998
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Blues
purists - avert your gaze! Lovers of brilliantly and
exuberantly performed gems of blues or pieces pretty much based
on blues - read on.
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 This is Steve
Rawlings Roadrunner, self proclaimed "Rutlands
Greatest R&B Band" we're talking about. Jess &
Blind Boy Fuller would approve; and its safe to bet that Bo
Diddley, Little Richard and Rufus Thomas would be bopping along
and applauding if only the could have been there. This is the
FUN side of Rhythm & Blues.
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Cracking off with "Statesboro' Blues", "Shake
Your Moneymaker" (more Elmore James and screaming Jay
Hawkins than Fleetwood Mac), and Six Days on the Road" -
the band does not pull any punches: your here to dance, clap and
have a rocking good time. Carry on with "Bullfrog
Blues" and "Route 66", then go into a 60's orgy
of "Gimme Some Loving", "Purple Haze" (like
never before!), "Wishing Well", "You Really Got
me" and out theming them on a magnificently extended
"Baby Please Don't Go".
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 Steve Rawlings - great gruff voice, wild eyes and manic gestures
- fronts the band, and how! At a minute to nine, he was at the
bar, lazily drawling in a soft Rutland accent: "Ah well,
we'll have a bit of fun then". A minute later he is LOOSE
on an unsuspecting audience, up on the monitor boxes, a stabbing
forefinger picking out YOU, YOU and YOU for attention.
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No less a wild man is guitarist Steve Johnson, spectacular blue
licks exploding from his fingers as he contorts and cavorts, at
times burying himself in the throng, then rising magnificently
on the wave of inspired improvisation.
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The two Steve's just ricochet frenetic enjoyment off each other
but holding it together are bassist Phil Harley and drummer, Ian
Whitehead. Don't let their composed faces fool you - they are
churning out some of the tightest rhythm you'll hear.
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All hyperbole, you may well be thinking but that is what
RoadRunner is all about for two frenzied hours. A minute later
Steve Rawlings is back at the bar, lazily drawling in a soft
Rutland accent, "Ah well, that WAS a bit of fun, then"
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Ken
Daniels writing in blueprint magazine
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