1. What are you currently up to? (e.g. touring/studio,etc.)
We are currently song writing and playing local gigs to refine our set and our sound. Our new material is very strong and dynamic and we are filtering out the weaker material to give a much more balanced set. We are actively seeking a management deal and are in negotiations with a record label, we are however keen to get the right deal rather than the first one offered. We've had a lot of exposure in the local press and this has lead to huge increase in the venues that want us to play and the crowd that we are drawing.

2. Please give us a brief history of Rumjunkie and the style of music you play, who your biggest influences are, and introduce us to the other band members.
RumJunkie are a good old fashioned in your face, twin lead metal band, we were formed in 2003. Guitarist Aaron "Az" Glass and Myself disbanded our cider-punk band CiderMetalFite in order to pursue a more refined and powerful sound. Drummer James Mcauley who had recently relocated to the area from West Wales was recruited and we gigged as a power-trio for the next three years building a loyal support in the South West.
We recruited our other guitarist Justin Towell when his band Unseen Envy split up in early 2006.

3. How easy or difficult has it been to get gigs and promotion for gigs?
We have a residency at the Black Horse pub in Taunton, playing regular gigs for the pub and for the annual biker events. This is the best venue for metal bands in Taunton and we don't play anywhere else in town, as the venue has been very good to us over the years. At first it was hard for us to break out of Taunton as it's difficult to get noticed by promoters in Bristol and Exeter, but that has all changed recently with several offers to play in Bristol - watch this space.

4. You recently played on the main stage at the Derbyshire Rock And Blues Festival. How did that come about?
In early 2006 RumJunkie entered a battle of the bands competition in Nuneaton, the first prize being a main stage slot at the Rock and Blues Custom show, unfortunately this coincided with Az being on holiday in Australia and our participation looked unlikely. Luckily Justin stepped in allowing RumJunkie to make it through the 1st round and in to the semi finals. Justin remained in the band on Az's return creating the opportunity for some classic twin guitar harmonies. RumJunkie won the following heats and the final with a
larger more powerful sound, beating 250 other bands to win first prize. We were taken from Taunton to the Rock N Blues in a luxury tour bus and treated like stars all day, it was a great experience and we are keen to do it again!

5. What cds do you have available, and where can we find out more about them.
We have a three track live EP "Start Em Young" available now for £2 from our shows or by e-mailing rumjunkie@tiscali.co.uk. All the tracks and more are available to download on our website or at our MySpace page. All tracks have received airplay on various radio stations including the BBC and Kerrang Radio. We are hoping to return to the studio to record new material very soon.

6. What has been the highlight(s) and lowpoint(s) of your career to date, and what would you like to achieve ideally by the end of 2006?
The highlights has to be playing the Rock N Blues, walking out on that stage was what I for one had been dreaming about since I picked up a guitar, I know that the others have as well.
Low point was earlier in the year when Az went to Australia, we didn't know if he would be coming back and thought the band was over. It all worked out for the best in the end though!
By the end of the year we want to have at least a management or record deal and be in a position to do either a national or European tour. We are all ready for it, totally focused and open to offers!

7. How important do you feel the Internet is for promoting your music, and what are your views on television programmes such as Pop Idol, The X Factor etc.
The Internet is a great communication tool, the hits on our website went up by over 200% following our shows in Nuneaton and the Rock N Blues. You can't depend on it to do all the work though, you need
to get out there and play the gigs and meet the people. Pop Idol and The X Factor are great for what they are i.e. light TV entertainment. I don't think there are any real short cuts of any value in music; you need to put the time in and learn your instrument and your trade, you get out what you put in. Rumhjunkie
have over 50 years of playing experience between us and I think that shows in our performance.

8. What has been your most rock n roll moment so far?
Drinking in the beer tent at the Rock and Blues at 8am in the morning and realising I had to do a phone interview with the BBC at 9.30am. I sobered up quick and the interview was great!

9. What do you all like doing in your spare time?
We all work in our spare time!! The rest of it is spent playing music! James and I work together in the soul sucking insurance industry and are keen to quit the day job and get on tour. Justin is a games tester, which is his ideal job if he's not playing guitar, as he is a total gaming nut. Az is a care assistant.

10. Please give a message to your fans.
Thank you for all your support for RumJunkie over the last 4 years and for all the energy you bring to our shows. See you all on the road soon!

© Get Ready To Rock - 14th August 2006