Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?
We started in 2004 the first version of Bloodrunner. Me (Neal) and some friends I knew since I was a kid. We were known as Exotoxn then. In 2006 we solidified the lineup you hear on Total Annihilation which was me (Neal) Matt Wensel, Mike Lerman, and Kyel Hickey. Kyle named the band which I have no clue where he got it from. I never asked honestly. Sounded badass though. We were together until 2010 and we all went our seperate ways. During COVID I got sober and decided to get the origianl lineup back toghether. I asked them all but they were busy with other things and all passed. I said fuck and went on a mission to find good musicians. I went through some people then came upon Rob and Jeff who play on the single Wasting Away we were a band for about a year from 2021-early 2022. Then the mission began again and finally found a solid group of dudes with Yair Vera, Lara Daniel, and Irving Masvidal and thats who you hear on the Brainchild single.
Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?
Irving and I live in the suburbs and Lara and Yair in the southside of Chicago. Throgh mutual friends and Facebook is how we all meet.
Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?
Well when it comes to metal my top two are Metallica and Megadeth and Judas Priest hovers over them like the metal gods that they are. The twin ryhtm has always made me hard (wink wink).hahaha
The musicality, the attitude in all 3 of them and of course Robs vocals. Man to sing like him would be amazing.
Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?
Yeah! Since I was a little kid I’ve been singing and dancing to random music. Playing air guitar with a light saber. I finally got my first guitar when I was 10 years old and by 13 had it in my mind I had to start a band.
What songs or albums are on your current playlist?
I started a new one a few days ago and so far its new shit I’ve been checking out like Maneater by Burning Witches, Standing By The Sea by Husker Du and Seeds to Sow by Scowl.
Do you sing in the shower?
No
Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?
We want to release an EP hopefully by spring and definitly tour!
Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?
We just released a new single called Brainchild on 12/01/22. Its fuckin badass.
If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?
Hmmm I would say definitly Wacken idk you can call that a venue if not then Solider Field that would be amazing!
Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?
…And Justice For All by Metallica. Its just to damn good.
Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?
Uhm I guess you can say Michael Jackson is one hes an amazing singer and dancer when it comes down to it.
If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?
I would put the lineup as my top 5 bands of all time. Metallica, Megadeth, Aerosmith, Motley Crue, and The Rolling Stones.
Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?
It was ReLoad by Metallica. I think my older sister has it now. Im not sure. I might of sold it also.
As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?
Thanks for all the support, check out our social media pages for all updates and hope to see all of you at shows in the future!
Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!
We have a link tree with every link attached to it which can be found here
https://linktr.ee/officialbloodrunner
We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?
Horns up! 2023 should be a heavy one!
This interview is purely the property of The Metal Asylum