The Runner Up is an electrifying alternative rock band from Phoenix, Arizona who have spent the last year setting local stages on fire with their energetic performances, and pumping up the airwaves with consecutive singles showing off their unique mix of indie rock and guitar pop hooks.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Rusty Nail - Vocals, Vibraslap
Ben Fuqua - Guitar, Backup Dancer
Zach Anderson - Keytar, Space Whip
Jason Alben - Drums, Wind Chime
Anthony Notaro - Bass, Chef

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to The Runner Up? How long has the band been around?

We're all journeymen musicians who have been in countless music projects ranging from 90s cover bands to electro-pop acts to Mongolian throat singing chorales. Most of us met while working together at a tech company in 2015. After indulging in the musicians cliche of "we should jam sometime", we found we had solid chemistry and similarities in style and taste.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

Despite having a seemingly endless bank of "that'd be a great band name" written down, none of those ever seem to be the right fit for a project. Picking the right band name is usually harder than writing the early music. This one came up during a lightning round of suggestions and it stuck out. We liked the tongue-in-cheek element of the name. Honestly, what musicians worth their salt wants to associate their art with only being second place? But as we thought about it, our favorite bands were all ones who let fun drive their music, and we had distaste for disingenuous/smug acts. We're also aligned that, culturally, the world is a little too serious at times and this is a good way to present where we stand. We've kept the name the same since then.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

Rusty and Zach share the primary song writing duties. Our themes touch on relationship issues, drugs, and kicking ass at ping pong - you know, concerns of the modern world. I'm sure these will change as we become slaves to robot overlords and retreat underground to devolve into lower primates feeding on cave mushrooms.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

Raconteur's new record is absolute fire and a great source of inspiration. Same with Lizzo's "Cuz I Love You" - insane hook writing, vocal layering, and majestic composition/arrangement. Other than that, we only listen to Spotify's "Guilty Pleasures" playlist (shout out to the Baha Men).

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

The Elephant Show live with Sharon, Lois, and Bram. "Skinnamarink" live was a life altering moment that would groom anyone's muse.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect.

Synchronized kegel sessions for the first and last 10 minutes of our bi-weekly rehearsals.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

In no particular order: playing the legendary Mesa Amphitheater for a massive local crowd in Feb'19, our near sold out EP release at Valley Bar in June'19, and playing for 4 old drunks at Rogue Bar Scottsdale on a Tuesday in July 2016.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Can we say future instead? If so, Scott Stapp and Darude's "Stapp the Sandstorm" tour of 2027

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Jean-Claude Van Damme's performance in Bloodsport was undoubtedly Oscar worthy and he was absolutely snubbed by the Academy. Despicable.

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