Rum Runner - Rum Runner in Guns at Cyrano's

I wasn’t really siked when I found this one in my mailbox…oh god no, not another folk-punk band… I was wrong… Longshot records from Canada is really making a name for itself by releasing quality streetpunk-rock ‘n roll bands that are relatively unknown. Rum Runner from Canada isn’t really new to the scene, they were birthed in 2001, but has young members and is full of energy. The whole album sounds fuckin’ good and should’ve been released 5-6 years ago before the whole Dropkick/Flogging Molly invasion began. Not that Rum Runner’s copying these bands..they have a whole wide range of influences and you can hear folk-punk-rockabilly and even some blues on ‘…Cyrano’s’. Kick ass songs like ‘The punks are due on maple street’ (AWESOME scene report!!), ‘so long outsider’ and the magnificent ‘The Visitor’ are diamonds of a band that is unknown in Europe. I really like the original, sometimes sarcastic lyrics and the cool storytelling that Rum Runner’s doing in 'Sugar sweet', 'Discourse on the Canadian interpretation of the Irish pub' (what a title!!) and the best song on this record ‘Dead men are heavier than broken hearts’. 'My rifle, my pony & me' got a big, wide grin on my face, now that's comedy for ya!! Fans of ‘Swingin’ utters’, ‘Kings of nuthin’, ‘Dropkick Murphy’s’ and ‘The Pogues’ should embrace this band and honor their cause. They’re doing something that has been done before, but they’re doing it in style and with a serious twist of their own. To end with a big statement: I’d rather listen to this record than anything Kings of nuthin’ or Swingin’ utters ever made and you can take that to the bank! Rum Runner made a great record!!