Music Style Blues/Rock

Musical Influences Chris Duarte, Ian Moore, Stevie Ray Vaughn

Similar Artists Chris Duarte, Ian Moore

Artist History Scarlet Runner is a hard-rocking power trio from Waterloo, Iowa. The band's live show is an intense mixture of striking vocal harmonies and consummate guitar work on the part of charismatic front-man Jason Christensen. Beginning seven years ago as an entertaining blues-rock outfit with brothers Jason on lead guitar and Jack Christensen on bass with Luke Rathe playing the drums, they have since forged ahead into unique and exciting musical territory. Combining increasingly masterful songwriting with not-to-be-ignored musicianship Scarlet Runner has become, of late, a presence all their own in independent rock. The band has certainly gained their share of accolades both as individuals and as a collective entity. They have been two-time semifinalists in Musician Magazine's "Best Unsigned Band" competition as well as being awarded similar honors on a regional scale. Jason Christensen was first runner-up in the national "Jimi Hendrix Electric Guitar Competition" held in Seattle Washington; an accomplishment that earned him more than one honorable mention in the national magazine Experience Hendrix and was, for certain, no small help in his gaining the band an endorsement with the "GHS" guitar string company. Sharing a stage with a variety of groups throughout their career has seen the band open for a wide variety of national acts. Ranging from earlier gigs supporting the Fabulous Thunderbirds and blues legend Koko Taylor to latter opening slots in front of such acts as The Ian Moore Band, Pat Benetar and The Chris Duarte Group. They are also no stranger to playing major festivals which have featured the likes of Z Z Top, Rare Earth, Lynard Skynard, and REO Speedwagon. And, despite their aggressive rock style, the band was extremely well received on bills that included B.B. King, Doctor John and Texas blues-rockers Storyville. With two compact discs under their collective belts, Scarlet Runner continues to create musical sounds that defy categorization into any one specific genre. Their first c.d. "South Chain Gang" is filled with straight-forward blues and rock material. However worthwhile, even at the time of it's completion it was already beginning to become out-dated as their sound continued to grow and mature to include all the band's influences. Consequently, their sound became increasingly unique and their blues influence became less-and-less apparent. Their second effort "Departure" has proven to be just that, a departure from the band's earlier blues sound and certainly a departure from the first disc; weaving together rock, funk and soul influences into a tapestry that has come to be recognizable as quite unique and personal. Scarlet Runner's sound is ever-growing and ever-changing making their live show the only true way to experience the band in their purest and unencumbered form and ensuring that future recordings will continue to reflect a band that never quite stops reassessing itself. So, keep your eye for shows in your area and your ear out for future recordings.

Group Members Jason Christensen, Jack Christensen, Luke Rathe

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Drums

Albums Depature, South Chain Gang

Location Waterloo, IA - USA

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