Runrig

From LoveToKnow Music

Runrig
Genre	Rock Music Folk Music
Origin	Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
Active	1973-present
Albums	Heartland(1985) The Big Wheel(1991)
Songs	Hearthammer The Greatest Flame
Website	Official Runrig Website

Runrig is Scotland's answer to keeping tradition alive by way of music. Producing music full of feeling and meaning, Runrig know exactly where their roots are and remain intent on telling the story of Scottish heritage to the world.

Origins

Their first performance as a band was in the West End of Glasgow, in the Kelvin Hall under the name of The Run-Rig Dance Band, in 1973. The name Run-Rig refers to an old Scottish farming technique, the remnants of which can still be seen on the Isle of Skye, where most of the band members are originally from.

There were only three band members to begin with: Rory MacDonald on guitar, Blair Douglas on accordion and Calum MacDonald on the drums. The line-up was juggled around at various stages of the band's history, with additions of vocals, shifts in accordionists, the unfortunate loss of old school friend Robert MacDonald in 1986 to cancer and two members leaving the band to pursue a career in Scottish Politics! Runrig finally settled into their regular line-up of Rory and Calum (the initial founders), Brian Hurren (keyboards, guitar, drums), Bruce Guthro (acoustic guitar, harmonica, lead vocals), Iain Bayne (traditional drums, piano) and Malcolm Jones (guitar).

Into The Profession

Runrig's first album was released in 1980, entitled 'Play Gaelic', consisting entirely of Gaelic songs. Up until this time, the band had only been a part-time activity, fitting in around work and studies. After their first album, though, they decided they had what it takes to make it as a professional band and formed their own recording company, Ridge Records. This was a risky, 'all-or-nothing' move to be making so early in the band's existence, but one that they were all prepared to take, no matter what sacrifices they had to make.

Persistence And Perseverence

1981 saw the release of their second and third albums, 'Recovery' and 'The Highland Connection', respectively, both under the new recording label. These two albums were still predominantly Gaelic so Runrig decided to try to reach a wider audience by incorporating more English speaking songs into their subsequent album releases, without losing the messages they were trying to put across. In order to achieve this they began searching for a more widely-known record label to sign them and aid the production of their planned new material. This step proved a little premature so, after refusing to succumb to the pressure from record labels to 'steer away' from their Scottish sound and commercialize, they returned to Ridge Records.

It wasn't until 1985 that they finally released their fourth album, 'Heartland', which, this time, consisted mainly of English speaking songs. It still proved insufficient in hitting any kind of recognised success, but Runrig persisted. Their dedication and hard work finally paid off in 1987 with the release of 'Cutter and the Clan', under Chrysalis Records, which led to various tours including Canada and Berlin.

Success

Shortly after, in 1988, 'Once In A Lifetime' was released, consisting of live songs. Runrig's growing popularity became evident upon the release of 'Searchlight', which went straight to number 11 on the National Charts and sparked a tour of Europe and the UK.

The ball was well and truly rolling with the dawn of the 90s, when an STV (Scottish Television) broadcast opened everyone's eyes to the incredible talent of their own home-grown band performing as part of the Hogmanay celebrations. Runrig's most successful album, 'The Big Wheel', was released in 1991, under Chrysalis Records, and went straight to number 4 in the National Charts with the song 'Hearthammer' making Number 25. After numerous international tours and supporting performers such as Genesis, Runrig returned to the studio to build on their already impressive success.

1993 saw the release of 'Amazing Things', which achieved the highest ever chart position for the band of Number 2 on the Gallup Charts. Hit songs 'Wonderful' and 'The Greatest Flame' were performed on Top Of The Pops and the album itself went on to win the award for the British Environment and Media Album of the Year. 'Transmitting Live', an album of live performances, was released in 1994, closely followed by 'Mara', meaning 'sea' in Gaelic, in 1995.

For The People

In 1996, Runrig decided the time was right to compile a greatest hits collection, but they found it difficult choosing which songs to put on the album. As a thank-you to their ever-increasing fan base, they began a poll of which songs should be on the 2-disc album, 'Long Distance', which was released in October '96 and hit number 13 on the charts.

Album Releases And Touring

Touring and band member replacements filled the time up until '98, their 25th anniversary, which they fittingly marked with the release of a 2-disc album, 'The Gaelic Collection' under their original Ridge Records. A return to their record label was further confirmed by the release of 'In Search Of Angels' in 1999, which resulted in a chart position of number 26, and the live performances at the popular folk festival recorded on 'Live At Celtic Connections 2000'.

The release of 'The Stamping Ground' in 2001 indicated to the world that Runrig had and would always stick with their roots, whilst still holding a firm place in contemporary music. 2003 saw the release of 'Proterra', an album which marked 30 years of Runrig and whose songs reflected the changes that the band had undergone throughout its long history.

Language Of Music

It's not just the patriotic Scotsman who appreciates the ties of heritage and Scottish culture reflected in the works of Runrig over the years. Fans are based all over the world, showing that music speaks to people regardless of what language they speak or understand. Music is a universal language.