Whaddya mean you don't know Bull Run

The raging self-produced 1971 debut album from Youngstown, Ohio's power trio Bull Run is out now on Peppermint Records. 

Here's the scoop...

Bull Run was the vision of my dad, Jimmy Connor. He had been leading bands in the Youngstown music scene since the 1960s, with the likes of Jimmy and The Continentals, Robins Hoods (which not only featured Glass Harp/Human Beinz member Steve Markulin but also full-on Renaissance costumes) and The Pill. By 1970, Jimmy was ready to move into more original and heavier material rather than remain ‘pop and cover-oriented’. Bringing on 21- year-old guitar virtuoso Craig Davis, and 17-year-old bass player Frank Zoccole who had been around the Youngstown music scene, Bull Run embarked on showcasing original lyrics and arrangements, totally immersing themselves into the new sound. Thanks to my dad’s meticulous archiving of everything associated with the band, we know that this did not serve them commercially. There’s a rejection letter from Columbia Records suggesting that they “get into a top 40 bag (keep it heavy if you like) and write some commercial tunes.” There’s also a note that must have been passed to him by an upset club owner during a gig that says, “Nobody’s dancing! Did you notice? Play some of the top 40 (if you know how)”. 

Undeterred, the band found themselves sharing the bill with many of the top Youngstown bands like Glass Harp, Morley Grey, and Biggie Rat (who would become Poobah) at the hippest venues such as The Zodiac Club, The Greene, and Mickey’s. They snagged gigs in Pennsylvania, Indianapolis and Chicago. One show flier has them getting the same billing as Bo Diddley at a club in New Jersey. They clearly worked their asses off with the blue-collar ethics of home, signing contracts with regional bookers and labels, though nothing much ever came of it. When it came to making an album though, Youngstown was always their muse. 

They recorded some demos (their “Oldie Moldies” as was marked on the tape box) on Halloween of 1970 at GS Productions, which was a small voice-over studio that came about after United Audio became Peppermint. However the bulk of this album was meticulously recorded mixed and edited in the basement at home. “Leper’s Castle” is the clearest example of how deep Jim and the guys were willing to go to create their sound and true sonic journey; from the phone call intro, to the slamming of the “castle gates” (the garage door), to dragging chains across the floor. They found a way to make it themselves they way they envisioned. They also found their way to Peppermint Studios, trading studio time for in-studio construction work (my dad built the drum booth). Fortunately for the band, Peppermint’s founder and engineer Gary Rhamy was attuned to the changing musical vibe of the area, working with those talented, raw power trios like LAW, Glass Harp, and Morley Grey who were becoming prominent and popular at the time. 

This album features the songs that Bull Run so diligently and creatively worked on August - September 1971. Though many versions, demos and arrangements of all the songs exist, what’s compiled here is what I believe to be the album my dad intended but never got to release . These songs showcase the creativity, songwriting, musicianship, artistry in chords and arrangements that were the hallmark of Bull Run. – Kim Connor 

Get a copy of the Bull Run album right here. Check out the album's rippin' lead track "Race For Death"