There is nothing slow and steady about Middle Distance Runner. The local pop rockers have had quite an accelerated year of achievement and attention with the release of their debut album Plane In Flames back in June. It was a very promising record from a group of guys who have been playing together for a while but just recently started taking their work more seriously. And as a result, they have produced a collection of extremely catchy quality tracks that they perform live with a captivating energy and warped sense of humor (which they treated us to at our last Unbuckled show in September).

Just a few weeks ago, MDR opened for Forward Russia and Snowden at the Black Cat’s mainstage. It was a busy weekend of parties, but they drew in the crowds and held their own. Although dressed in the finest of tacky holiday attire, they didn’t play their new downloadable-only song “Xmas Party,” but kicked off the show with their usual addictive head nodding hand clapping set. “Naturally” got us singing along and when “Man of the People” blared through the speakers we couldn’t help but move. They added a comfortable local flare to an evening of much more bizarre experimental indie rock requiring plenty of upside down and right side up exclamation marks.

To sum it up, MDR is some super sweet candy that we just can’t get enough of. One bite and we were hooked. This is a band that we never get tired of, and judging by the turnout for their shows, you don’t either. In our humble opinion, these guys have a serious shot at success far beyond the reaches of our fair city.