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69

Artist: Runestaff
Release: Road To Ruin & Do It! ‎(7'' Singles) [1985] plus Extra Tracks
Genre: Hard Rock / NWOBHM
Country: UK (Ipswitch)
Bitrate: 128-256
►Hidden Link
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Runestaff began life in Ipswitch, England in 1980. Originally the group was an all male progressive rock band. Their first recording would be a three track demo cassette released in 1982. Guitarist/vocalist Andy Page would leave the band apparently frustrated over the direction of the band. Vocalist Joanna Symes was brought in and in a twist of fate Andy Page decided to return.
With Page concentrating on guitar the band* (Symes,Page,Wayne Moyez-guitars,Jammie Durrant-bass,Barry Godfrey-keyboards and Kevin Hunt-drums) would spend the next few years playing out. The group soon developed a loyal following and adapted more of a AOR/hard rock sound. With the band constantly touring soon enough they caught the eye of Heavy Metal Records. Runestaff's s/t debut album would be released in 1985.
And while the group are often lumped in with the NWOBHM movement the truth is their sound owes a great deal more to American rock than to what was in their own backyard. With Joanna Symes on the mic (who sounds a great deal like Pat Benatar) the band offers up thirty minutes of enjoyable rock. And while obviously being on more of a metal oriented label did not help the band it was actually the tragic death of original keyboard player Kaust Rakhit in 1985 that would set the stage for the group's breakup.

Line Up
Joanne Syme (v)
Wayne Moyez (g)
Andy Page (g)
Jammie Durrant (b)
Kevin Hunt (d) – also in Thieving Gypsies
Barry Godfrey (k)

Kaust Rakhit (k)

Notes:
– Marginal entry as they dwelled more into a melodic Hard Rock landscape. However, a significant amount of Metal elements is present thus their page here.
– Active during 1980 – 1986
– Apparently a second album was on the works but Runestaff folded before any plans came to life. Some recordings do exist
– Can be found on the compilation “It’s Unheard Of” (LP, Sane Records, 1984) with ‘The Games You Play’

http://nwobhm.com/runestaff/
http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/uk/runestaff

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Runestaff - 1985 - Road To Ruin ‎(7'' Single)
1. Road To Ruin
2. Last Chances

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Runestaff - 1985 - Do It! ‎(7'' Single)
1. Do It!
2. Runestaff

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Runestaff - Extra Tracks:
Runestaff - Road To Ruin (Original 1982 Demo version with Andy Page on vocals)
Runestaff - The Games You Play [from VA - It's Unheard Of! (1984)]
Runestaff - Love Frustration (Last song ever recorded - 1986)