Runon Fragment

Mark: I started Runon Fragment as my vision to express everything about rock and roll. While I grew up listening to a lot of the early 90’s grunge bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana, I also had a deep respect and knowledge of the classics. I was also a big fan of 80’s Metal in my formative years and a lot of pop music. Most importantly, the band members have brought in their own influences. Our drummer, Dave, is a big metal guy who brings an edge to a lot of our new songs. Runon Fragment is heavy and melodic, with touches of Southern rock.

Mark: The Runon Fragment project began about two years ago and we started playing live shows with my current band about six months ago.

Mark: Well, first it was a solo project, acoustic and I wrote all the songs after I got tired of playing Nirvana covers. The magic of songwriting propelled me into the direction of pursuing music as a career. I was spending a lot of time at Huntington/Newport Beach area at the time trying to build my band. Then I relocated my efforts to the San Fernando Valley where I met up with my current musicians. The members of Runon Fragment are:
Darren Greenberg/Guitar
Brandon Stilson/ bass
Dave Ward/ drums
Mark Ang/Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitars, Songwriting

Mark: Actually back, while it was a solo project, I also did private tutoring, and one of my students, Will Walden, mentioned after a session: “This sentence is like a “runon of fragment”. And I said, “ Hey, that would make a kickass band name”. I liked it’s meaning: It’s a sentence that makes no sense, just goes on forever...

Mark: Hard Rock. And my biggest personal influences are Kurt Cobain, Tom Petty and John Melencamp, I also listen to a lot of 80’s rock, I love Great White and Def Leopard. I like the new stuff like Green Day. The bands influences are Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, Metallica, Megadeth, Sublime, Nirvana and Collective Soul. We like the heavy melodic sound.

Mark: Honestly, I’m not a BIG fan. I think a lot of the songwriting is mediocre and soulless. But there are some great new bands. I really like Jet; I think they are true to their traditional roots. And, I also like Buckcherry a lot.

Mark: That’s the part I really like! The music industry is now more indie-friendly than ever. Something we have really utilized is of course, Myspace. It helps us stay in touch with our fans and gain new ones. We recently did a contest online and over 350 people entered and I sent out an insane amount of t-shirts to our fans. Check us out at myspace.com/runonfragment

Mark: Yes, we just got a booking agent and are planning a tour in the near future. Runon Fragment will be heading south to Texas, Louisiana and South Carolina. But first things first, we have a big show at The Whisky a Go Go (Sunset-Hollywood) Saturday, August 19th , and we have a great night planned with our band friends, including our opening act Heedless Audio, a kickass cover band from Orange County.

Mark: Definitely Runonfragment.com to sign up on our email list. On myspace, they can leave us comments and we will always get back to them. We keep that site totally UTD. Also, on www.RUNONFRAGMENT.com, you can buy shirts, CD’s or other merchandise.

Mark: I believe it did well. Shenna liked it, and we love Sheena. She’s great! The show aired in the Los Angeles area on: Indie 104 104.7FM, CRNI 107.3 FM, and on IRADIO LA 88.5 FM. This show is syndicated through IAR Networks, featuring unsigned talent from around the world on 686 radio stations, with a listener ship of over 125 million, throughout the US, the UK, Canada and Australia. Fans can still log on and request to hear it at shennametal@onemain.com

Mark: We are in the process of working on our 2nd CD, we have written 5 new songs. We are definitely looking to play more shows around Southern California and do fun little contests to interact with our fans nationwide.

Mark: I do, I write all the lyrics and do about 75% of music.

Mark: Each individual song documents specific points in my life so I’d like to say all of them but definitely my favorite is “Freaky Mary”. It is a song that has different meanings on different levels depending on how you look at it. I won’t say what it’s about to let the listeners decide for themselves what it means to them. We recently did a poll with our fans on their favorite Runom Fragmen song and “Freaky Mary” won, hands down.

Mark: I think it has to be the characters we have met along the way. Like this guy from Seattle chasing his dream, our previous drummer, a guy who used to carry around 6 bottles of cologne in a little pack everywhere he went. One time we were practicing and he was wearing his watch, a gold Rolex that he had left on top of the bass drum. But, I guess he lost track of it and totally “freaked out!” when he didn’t know where it was. We had to put practice on hold for over an hour to help find this watch. Then it ended up being right there on the bass drum, where he left it. It was hilarious because we couldn’t get back to practicing until we found that watch! And I thought I was obsessive compulsive! From recording our CD to performing across California, I guess we have met some pretty crazy characters out there. It’s been a hell of a ride.

Mark: Yes, but actually we played with a ska band at the Viper Room. Their band had trumpets and horns and we are more a traditional hard rock band. But I thought it went over real cool. Then once we performed a night with all thrash core metal bands, it’s Hollywood and sometimes you just get added in at the last minute and it doesn’t work out. But our fans are loyal and make it anywhere anytime!

Mark: Well, Runon Fragment has been pretty busy we have done 3 shows in the same week, The Knitting Factory, The Joint and an acoustic show one week. We have the philosophy of playing all the time. I really don’t care if we’re playing to one person or two hundred, we love the stage. Business strategies aside, we love playing music and are always down for playing a show.

Mark: We have a lot of lead guitar, and that is something I see coming back in bands. Were all young guys and have a lot respect for the classic guitarists, like Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. I think my songwriting is definitely unique, and I tell the story of my life in the most honest way I can, touching on many different topics in life.

Mark: We are open to that, none at this point.

Mark: That is something we try to stay away from. I think too many of the today bands are style over substance, with all that eyeliner going on. We refuse to do that. Most of our shows are T-shirts and jeans and that’s who we are! So I guess that’s an image if you want to call it one!

Mark: Thanks to everyone that has seen us and, we invite “YOU” to come check us out! We are one of the friendliest bands in the business. We will always write you back on myspace and have a lot of contests to give away plenty of freebies from CD’s and T-shirts to more. Please never hesitate to come up to us and say hi at a show! Yes, we have a street team and are always looking for volunteers. Call the number below to join up!