The Run Around

Published June 25, 2009 at 7:03 a.m.
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

COLLEGE ROCK BAND FROM ILLINOIS EDGES OUT MORE THAN 700 OTHERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO WIN BRIGGS & STRATTON BATTLE OF THE BANDS

Winning band, The Run Around, will perform live June 28 at world’s largest music festival - Summerfest - in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Briggs & Stratton, whose music-loving CEO, John Shiely sits on the board of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, today announced the winner of its international Briggs & Stratton Battle of the Bands -- The Run Around from Normal, Ill. The online contest, which concluded June 7, 2009 at midnight, garnered more than 850,000 total votes over three months and drew 777 band entries from as far away as Europe.
As the winning band, The Run Around will play at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard stage at Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival on June 28 at 5 p.m. in Milwaukee. The band consists of five guys in their 20s who met at Illinois State University and have been playing together for about three years. Up until now, the pop punk/alternative rock band could be found playing gigs on college campuses throughout the Midwest.
“This is fantastic and we are absolutely blown away,” said Jason Fein, a vocalist in the band. “We knew we had a local following, but apparently others out there enjoyed our music as well. We are really looking forward to tearing up the stage with our music on June 28th at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard stage at Summerfest!”
Fein said The Run Around has been influenced by Blink 182, Alkaline Trio, Sublime and others. He said the band appreciates Briggs & Stratton’s commitment to connecting with younger consumers through the Battle of the Bands. Briggs & Stratton encouraged a wide variety of bands to enter the contest with a diverse amount of experience. CEO John Shiely has had his own corporate rock band for years and feels a real connection to those looking to break through to the next level.
“We really saw this as a way to showcase all of the quality music talent the world has to offer and it ties in perfectly with our history of supporting bands on our stage at Summerfest,” said Shiely, whose company is the world’s largest producer of air-cooled engines for outdoor power equipment. “We are thrilled to offer this ultimate opportunity for an up and coming band. We want to thank all of the amazing bands that entered the competition. The Run Around has a great sound and we know they’ll be a big hit at the world’s largest music festival in front of potentially thousands of rock fans.”
As a winner, the band will have photos, a videotape and CD made of their performance and receive VIP rock star treatment throughout their time at the festival. A limousine will be provided for transportation and the band will receive first class hotel accommodations while in Milwaukee. In addition, The Run Around will sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the 7th Inning Stretch at the June 27 Milwaukee Brewers game.
The Run Around band members include vocalist Fein from Naperville, Ill.; bass player Jason Enders from Hoffman Estates, Ill.; drummer Brent Steinberg from Peotone, Ill.; and guitar players Jared LeCount of Chicago, Ill. and Adam Sharp of White Heath, Ill.
Other bands that made it into the top four finalist phase of the competition included North of Mason-Dixon from Pittsburgh; Shuvlhed from Kingston, Ill.; and Kyle Megna Band from Kaukauna, Wis.. For more information on the contest and to hear music entries from the bands, please visit www.briggsbattleofthebands.com.

Briggs & Stratton Corporation is the world’s largest producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment. Its wholly owned subsidiary Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group LLC is North America’s number one manufacturer of portable generators and pressure washers, and is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of lawn and garden and turf care through its brands Simplicity®, Snapper®, Ferris® and Murray®. Briggs & Stratton products are designed, manufactured, marketed and serviced in over 100 countries on all six continents.



Contact:

Brian Knox
(414) 276-6237
bknox@zeppos.com


- Briggs & Stratton Corporation