Interview with RUNAWAY DEVILS

Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.

Tell us a few things about RUNAWAY DEVILS (Members, Starting Year etc).
Hey there! We’re a band of four witches from Łódź – Runaway Devils! We formed in 2022 and play Black Raw’n’Roll – music without limits, in an old-school black metal/punk style. The band consists of: Blanka Andrzejewska (vocals, guitar, synth, lyrics), Ola Rosińska (guitar), Zuza Dyttus (drums) and Daria Marszałek (bass). It’s worth mentioning our former guitarist Zuzia Reguła – you can hear her guitar on our released EP. The name of the band comes from the pseudonym of a teenage murderess (those who know, know). Of course, we don’t support any form of violence – we’re simply interested in crime-related themes.

You have recently released your demo ''Beyond the Sight of Mortal Eyes''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
We play quite a niche and experimental kind of music, so we expected mixed opinions – but the reception turned out to be surprisingly positive. We’re genuinely happy that people appreciate our music and understand its deeper message. We’ve also received various offers and collaboration ideas from people rooted in dungeon synth, punk, and metal – which feels really nice.

And what about the lyrics?
The lyrics are written by our vocalist and guitarist – Blanka Andrzejewska. “I often write under the influence of impulse, disappointment with various things, and the feeling of love combined with the idea of fantasy, which I project onto my own life. I’m inspired by stories from my life and others’, tales about mystical beings, and the cartoon Scooby-Doo. The Hex Girls from that cartoon are an inspiration for us – they remind me of my childhood, and I like evoking that sense of nostalgia. Besides, Scooby-Doo just looks amazing -  old-school.”

Are you in searching for a record label? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
After releasing our EP, we signed a deal with Grime Stone Records for music and merch distribution. At this point, we still don’t know what will turn out to be best for us in practice, since it’s all completely new territory. The only thing we can say for sure is that we’re very happy to have received this offer from Old Nick, since he’s a huge inspiration for us.

Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
Funny story: once the police barged into our rehearsal room because someone reported it was too loud (and at that moment, there were only two guitars playing!). The rehearsal ended about 20 minutes early, our bassist was already asleep on the couch, and the rest of us were enjoying some wine. The police woke Daria up, and when she opened her eyes, she had no idea what world she was in or what year it was. The conversation with them was honestly hilarious, but maybe we shouldn’t go into details… In the end, nothing happened. :’D

Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Because of our distinct aesthetic and sound, we love cassettes and vinyls the most – you can truly feel that those formats have their own, unique history. We also love collecting music in different forms – each one has its own charm and atmosphere.

Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Our inspirations come from across the spectrum of heavy music – from the raw power of early black metal to the haunting energy of gothic and punk sounds.Some of the bands that shaped our style are: Darkthrone, Venom, Poison Ruin, Grausamkeit, Tormentor, Kat, Coven, Candlemass, The Runaways, Old Nick, Труп Колдуна, Bathory, Leschure, Ancient North, Misfits, Black Sabbath, Powerplant, Christian Death, and Jad. We take pieces of atmosphere, attitude, and sound from each of them to create our own Black Raw’n’Roll universe. 🗡️🧛🏻‍♀️

Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
We believe that for a band to truly grow, you need to take the time to understand your own preferences, explore them, and draw as much as possible from that process. That also includes creating solid material and having thoughtful promotion. “Before the release of our EP, I pulled several all-nighters. There were moments when I had to choose between the band and other things, but I feel nothing but pure joy doing what I do. This is my passion – I could sacrifice a lot for it. And now we can finally enjoy the results of our hard work to the fullest.” ~ Blanka

Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
It’s hard to point out a single “ideal” concert – each one is different and has its own atmosphere. With every show, we try to raise the bar higher – bringing even more energy, emotion, and ambience. On stage, we exchange energy with the audience like breathing – we give them our power, and they feed us with theirs.

What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
We don’t support the use of AI in the creative process. It can serve as a technical tool, sure – but never as a replacement for humans.

What attributes do you think that a new Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
A band should focus on building its own atmosphere. It needs a clear vision of how to present itself and leave a mark in people’s memory. You have to look deep within yourself, put your heart into it, and do everything in harmony with who you truly are.

Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
We believe that digital formats help new bands. People mostly discover music online nowadays – it’s a fast and easy way to access new releases. It’s also easier to find underground bands since there are tons of them online. We’re okay with that – everyone should have a chance to find something for themselves. Still, we encourage people to buy physical formats too. Holding a record in your hands is a special and satisfying feeling – it makes you feel more connected, as it becomes part of your own unique collection.

From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new band to avoid or what to do?
We’d advise new bands to constantly explore the music they create. It’s worth being interested in what other band members listen to and to integrate as much as possible. Band chemistry, understanding, and commitment are extremely important.

Tell us a few things about the New Underground Scene in Łódź, Poland (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Łódź is rich in various musical genres. Right now, a new scene called “Raw” is forming in our city – it brings together bands that play in an old-school spirit. It was born as a response to the growing divide in what rock and metal music mean today. Raw helps distinguish between old-school music, new-school sounds, and new music made in an old-school way. A mix of styles, raw sound, and cassette aesthetics are more than welcome here. We added the prefix “Black” to highlight our dark style rooted in black metal. That’s how the term “Black Raw’n’Roll” was born – it describes Runaway Devils and our musical identity best. And the Polish black metal scene is strong and full of great bands – in short, there’s a lot to choose from, and it’s worth diving into our local scene.

What does music means to you? And give us 10 albums that run in your veins.
Music is, above all, an escape from daily routine and a huge passion for us. Through it, we can express ourselves and show our inner worlds. Each of us feels it with our whole body and emotions. Our individual preferences differ at times, so it would be hard to pick just ten albums closest to our hearts. We love many genres and artists, and what we listen to often depends on our mood. That’s reflected in our music – we try to blend many styles and sounds. Of course, there are albums that had a major influence on us and will always be inspiring, but there are truly many of them.

Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
The band Rotting Christ was our first contact with this subgenre. Our vocalist has seen them live twice – it was an unforgettable experience. We also really like Macabre Omen – their album Gods of War – At War reminds us of a mix between Bathory and Death. The riffs are strong and catchy, perfectly exposing their roots. A special mention goes to Agatus – The Weaving Fates – it’s a very pleasant album with beautiful heavy/black metal melodies. We also love the cover – both composition-wise and color-wise – and the band’s logo resonates perfectly with our aesthetic.

What are your future plans?
Our upcoming plans include releasing merch, continuing to play live shows, and promoting our music further. For next year, we’re planning an album and another music video – but we don’t want to reveal too much or make empty promises. We also dream of going on tour.

Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thanks for giving us space in your zine! This is only the beginning of our journey – and we want to go as far as we can. Stay raw & stay weird! ⚔️

By Steve the Filthy Dog.

RUNAWAY DEVILS CONTACT:

https://www.facebook.com/people/Runaway-devils/61551528416551/

https://www.instagram.com/runaway_devils

https://runawaydevils.bandcamp.com/