Biker Dayz, Chinnor, July 3

Biker Dayz 2010! A favourite gig of the band's but this year was even better as Burn were on the top evening slot although the Good Old Boys followed Burn around midnight, the 9-30 slot was the best one. Still early days for the new line up, there was a confidence tonight as the band was on familiar ground and several friendly faces turned up to see how they were doing, such as Sue & Colin and out of the blue, ex Burn drummer Ross Elder who actually paid to get in!

It was good to see him but there was no time for too many pleasantries as Stormbringer kicked off the night. Johnny fluffed the high notes and generally was under par for the night vocally but the bass locked in with Garry's drums and Rob soared over the top. The two new Rainbow songs Starstruck & Stargazer were played fairly well but the latter seems a bit hit or miss still. A general disagreement on the breaks caused a little confusion but this is bound to be cleaned up sooner than later. Still no sign of Heaven & Hell, the new track that was causing most trepidation!

Once again, a good gig but not a classic. At the end as the band cleared away for The Good Old Boys, the promoter was happy but not happy enough to be available to pay the band and Johnny left sans dosh relying on his trusted friend Rob Sas to collect the moolah on his behalf.

"See ya next week, mate," he laughed.

The Roundabout, June 19

Last time the band played the Roundabout, Paul Malyon was on drums. Tonight, however, the mighty Garry Randall resumed his seat in his rightful place and despite a small audience, Burn set about winning some punters over. The World Cup fever was on but after England's disastrous second match the night before, the Club's mood was sombre.

This was a reasonable gig but not a classic. Garry appears not to worry about trifling matters such as the size of the audience and always gives 100% anyway. This in turn sets Rob's mood up for the evening and he responds with a similar vibe. Johnny reckons he can only play one way so it doesn't matter what the others are doing as far as he is concerned. Of course, he is the lead singer and thus, the World should revolve around him anyway.

In the audience was Dani Sas, no relation to Rob, at least not after she got a little the worse for drink last time at the Roundabout and stormed off into the night believing she was in Aylesbury. Actually, Sandy in Bedfordshire is some 40 miles further away as the crow flies so the resulting taxi fare was unexpectedly higher than anticipated. However, the lovely Dani was back in the good books and her exemplary behaviour this time made Daddy Rob a very relieved man!

Some tempo's have increased since the new line up started but these will be addressed in time and little variations are still being ironed out. Stargazer is now a regular in the set but Heaven & Hell has been put on the back burner as it's proving trickier than expected to get together. The band promises it soon! It must be ready for the hot bed that will be the Belle Vue at the end of July.

The Royal Oak, Bracknell, June 13

Johnny Heywood isn't a man to say "no" to a gig so when he agreed to play that afternoon in West Hyde, he forgot he was due onstage at 6pm in Bracknell. The afternoon gig was only scheduled to finish at 6! A little grovelling and pleading with the generous landlords of both venues allowed a 30 minute bracket in both directions so at 5-30, he threw all his gear into the mighty Kia Mobile of Deep Joy whilst waving a "thank you, goodnight" to the departing Hyde audience and 35 minutes later was chucking the same gear back onto a stage at The Royal Oak. A new venue to the Burn boys and definitely one to return to. This is a rock gig with a capital "Rrrrrr" and the band was keen to do well.

The fourth gig with Garry on drums and there was a great energy about the music tonight. There are still places where the boys sound unsure but many more where the band sounds on top form. Numbers which have been played for years have found a freshness and the different arrangements of ones which Rob & Johnny would do in their sleep have to be played with much more care and concentration. All is good in the Burn camp.

"Yes, there is a lot of work still to be done - it'll take quite a few gigs to get the tightness we had before but then, we had 15 years with Ross to get that," laughed off a laughing Rob Sas.  "It doesn't happen easily." Johnny agreed and added, "Yes, I might even have to change a few notes on the bass as Garry insists on playing songs differently to what I expect. Something to do with being an individual he says but I reckon it's cos he can't do it my way. I'm not even sure I have the notes on my bass that I need to play it his way. It's scary."

The rain brought any punters in from the beer garden and everyone liked the band so "job done!" Stargazer got it's second outing and is proving to be a very difficult beast to tame. Strange timings almost undid the band and Johnny confessed to finding it "the hardest song I've ever sung." Overall it wasn't bad and a few more plays will sort that out.

A nice early finish was good but the rain soaking the boys got loading up wasn't but they departed into the night, happy and moist.

Four Horseshoes, Stokenchurch, June 11

After more than two months off Burn duties the boys reconvened at the Four Horseshoes, Stokenchurch. Last time the band had played here there had been treacherous snow and ice on the ground but this time the sun was shining and it was hot, hot, hot.

With Rob & Garry used to playing certain Deep Purple songs with 24 Carat Purple in a different way, it seemed easier for Johnny to learn those ways and keep it all consistent. To that end, The Mule was introduced which featured Garry's drum solo and Black Night got a revamped ending. Sadly, this latter tune lacked a keyboard run and will have to be looked at again! However, Rock Candy by Montrose and Queen's Tie Your Mother Down did get a good airing and Garry busked his way through Radar Love, never having played it before. The main new one was Stargazer - a mighty Rainbow track of epic proportions featuring a full size orchestra filling out the sounds and fleshing out the keyboard parts. Of course, Burn needs only a bass and Rob Sas's 6 strings to recreate this giant piece of music and many remarked that it was better than the original!

Well, actually they didn't and this particular track may need a bit of work before it happens. Johnny announced that it was a "bastard" to sing and "you can hear on the original recording that Ronnie Dio has pieced the vocal together." Maybe he had, but subsequent live recordings prove the late and very great Dio could sing this track like no other. Conceding this, Johnny agreed to practice a bit more.

Burn sounded pretty good but it's clear that it's early days for this line up and much better is to come.

The Wheatsheaf, Leighton Buzzard, April 3

A rare consecutive nights' gigging. We thought the glory days were over!

Garry was back in the percussion chair and nursing the mother of all hangover's. Perhaps it was something that he had eaten but no amount of drinking during the day would cure it and so here he was ready to rock and sweat it all out. He made up for a lack of finesse by getting stuck in and motoring the band along like he was playing his last ever gig.

Rob mused that what the band does is actually quite difficult till you get used to playing the way Burn does but Johnny wasn't so sure. "It's what you are, I suppose. I can only play one way - flat out". The mighty '57 Precision sounded so good that a young Hungarian bass player engaged Johnny at the break to question him as to how such a mighty sound can be replicated. Of course, Johnny explained that it's all in the fingers but few were convinced.

Rob had his own share of admirers wanting desperately to know what strings he used, what picks he preferred and which colostomy bag is best. He did his best to answer truthfully though he was not an expert in all those subjects. (Insert gag of your own here....).

Rob was loudly threatened with personal bodily harm by his fiancé Tracey if the band didnt play Summer of 69... Rob refused to play it but was eventually forced to by his band mates who feared for their own safety!

Many regulars thought the band was not as tight and lacked the finesse of the Elder line-up but others thought the power and dynamism made up for it.

It's early days yet though and it's looking good for the future.

The Beech Tree, High Wycombe, April 2

Paul Dinnage depped on drums tonight as Garry was once again tarting around with other musical projects but he would be back the following night. No complaints about Paul as he sounded very confident despite admitting to some nerves and "just got stuck in". Keeping the set to more regular numbers helped as Burn has a tendency to go off on a musical journey during certain songs and can lead to severe disorientation if not used to such flights of fancy.

Rob admitted to really enjoying the gig. "Playing with these new guys really has kicked our butts. Not to criticise Ross but it gees things up when someone plays a song that we've been doing forever and gives it a different feel. I'm enjoying playing very much at the moment."

Johnny agreed but added, "I always play the same old shit anyway regardless of what the bongo player is doing but I must admit that it does spice things up considerably."

Several regular attendees enjoyed the show but the same question kept on being asked. "Why did Ross jump ship to play with Abakus?"

Answers ranged from "money" to "just wanted a change" to "he hated us" before settling on "musical differences." This is a tried and tested answer which covers all situations and is very often completely true. Perhaps Ross just wanted to play some different music regardless of quality. (Editor's note - that last jibe does not represent the opinions of this website.)

Tomorrow - the best gig around. The Wheatsheaf!!

The Roundabout, Sandy, March 24

No Garry Randall on drums for this one tonight. He had already tarted himself out to some other band so it was a welcome return to the pigskins to Paul Mallyon who had depped a few times over the years. Paul brings a wonderful style, skill and enthusiasm to anyone he plays with and doesn't ever worry about a little thing like "how does the song go"? It goes whatever way he plays it and we thank him for it, too.

Some Purple numbers fell by the wayside due to complexity but in their place a more rounded set emerged which included Hotel California, Come Together and You Can't Always Get What You Want. Nice!

It was more of a Club type gig but very enjoyable too though the evening ended on a bad tempered note for guitarist Rob Sas who's un-named sibling (we mustn't mention her name or Dani won't like it) stormed off and would not return despite frantic attempts/orders/begging by aforesaid Pater. Alcohol may have had a small hand in this decision as it emerged that she thought she was in Aylesbury and could easily get home by walking, by bus or at worst, a taxi. Sadly, she was in fact, in Sandy, Bedfordshire - some fifty miles further out. This led to a larger taxi bill than expected but it wasn't our Rob's problem who promptly red carded his daughter from any future gigs involving him!

Oddfellow Arms, Apsley, March 12

Garry Randall. Look at him sideways wearing his bandana and you'd swear he was Ian Paice. Listen to him with eyes closed and you'd swear he was Ian Paice. Look at his bank account and you'd realise he certainly wasn't Ian Paice but that's ok because Burn doesn't judge a man by his bag of swag. Tonight was Garry's first gig (unrehearsed) with the band and all were up for it. What better rocking venue to choose than the Oddfellow Arms in Apsley?

Having worked with Rob in 24 Carat Purple, the two had built up a firm understanding and only Johnny needed to slip in undetected. However, over the years Burn had worked out it's own arrangements of songs especially Deep Purple tunes and now it was Johnny who was working on a wing and a prayer as he heard how 24 Carat play them. Different endings, slightly changed verse lengths were in evidence but nothing that need concern the average punter. Mostly, Burn played like a band that had rehearsed and only the wise knew this was a ridiculous possibility.

Garry brought an enthusiasm and energy which gave Johnny & Rob a good kick up the proverbials. Now they were playing the same songs but with a different edge and Rob confessed to loving it.

"Yes, I'm loving it," he confessed. "Garry plays in a different way to Ross, of course but he's not afraid to take chances and switch things about. It's very exciting."

"All my little bass/drums nuances have changed now and I'll have to learn Garry's way of playing. It may take a few gigs to get as tight as we need but it's going to be good," gushed Johnny.

Many in the audience asked about the change in percussion but there were no criticisms of the new boy nor the band. It's a new chapter all right so let's see where it all goes.

The Beech Tree, High Wycombe, February 5

A new venue but one that was close enough to the Burn stronghold of High Wycombe to allow several regulars to attend. Sadly, it was not well attended by everyone else but the band started with a spark and played a high level set.

Devils Slide was particularly tight and well received and Rock Candy was powerful but Tie Your Mother Down became a train-wreck-recovery-job. Oh well, surely there will be plenty of gigs to get this one right.

Rob enjoyed himself and played well, looking forward to a week in Spain with Tracey and Johnny hit notes that he couldn't hit when he was half the age he is now but Ross seemed a little distant and never really hit the dizzy heights he usually manages with ease.

Sadly, it seemed he had already made up his mind that this was to be the last Burn gig he would play. This seemed out of sorts with the way the band has been playing recently but he wouldn't be swayed. A chance to play with Top Rock Band Abakus was deemed too great to refuse and as opportunities like this come along only twice in a lifetime then who can blame him for grabbing it with both hands?

A clearly shell shocked Johnny Heywood spoke to the Critic after several bottles of wine. "Yes, it's true but I see this as a chance to get better as I never rated him as much of a drummer anyway. I'd always wanted to use my little Sony drum machine."

Rob Sas may have been full of tranquilisers but he spoke anyway. "Well, I liked his drumming but I never liked the bloke personally so good riddance is all I have to slur."

No sour grapes there then. Who can replace the mighty Elder?

The Four Horseshoes, Stokenchurch, January 29

There was disagreement amongst the members of Rock band, Burn about whether this venue had been played before. Leading the affirmatives was drummer, Ross Elder.

"We played here years ago but in a different part of the bar," he claimed. Neither leading guitarist Rob Sas, nor top bassist/vocalist Johnny Heywood could recall the event. "Shite, never been here before. It must have been with some other bunch of tossers," reasoned Rob, a very reasonable man.

Whatever, there was snow falling from the skies and it was very cold outside but all the heat was pouring out of the Mighty Burn as they delivered their act. Several nubile females gyrated to the music and it had been a while since such a sight had been seen and it did the old men's hearts much good.

Johnny stressed himself over a lack of functioning microphones. The main SM58 had seemingly packed up, the spare was missing but he had a third, cheaper mike on standby which turned out to need a high impedance lead. This lead had sadly been left in Johnny's studio so the fourth & final option was a special adapter allowing the mike to work with an ordinary lead. To his horror, Johnny discovered it was in bits and parts were missing! No go there. Then he tried the original mike again and it worked! Operator error or a loose wire - the jury is out.

No-one knew nor cared and the band's gig was very well received. The three new numbers went very well and are feeling better now they are "played in." Yes, this is a good time to be in Burn agreed all.

Fox & Hounds, Wroghton, January 23

The first gig of the new year and what a cracker it was!

Johnny may have arrived at the venue low on fuel but he was full of the Spirit of Rock and dispensed his talent evenly throughout the congregation who had gathered to worship at the Church of Burn. His mighty voice soared out like a giant soaring thing and all who heard it quaked at it's might. From another World came his rumbling bass guitar, more powerful than a stampeding herd of water buffaloes but more musical, too.

Rob Sas & guitar-based-70's-rock go hand in glove like two peas in a pod but as sharp as a pencil. He had called upon his band mates to learn The Devils Slide - a dangerous and blasphemous tune possibly written in blood by Satan himself, or Joe Satriani, one or t'other and this was performed as if the band was being chased by a marauding pack of hell-hounds. There was no let up till the tune finished and although all had survived, there were a few who wondered why there was no singing in this instrumental piece of Satanic Worship.

Ross Elder, a warrior of percussive tendencies, beat upon his kit like the clanging sounds of doom though with considerably more swing and better time keeping. He laughed off new musical pieces like Tie Your Mother Down, a debauched ode to revelry, and Rock Candy which celebrates youth, vigour and strong Christian principles abeit with a more pagan, sacrificial virgin appreciation.

So there you have it. Three new songs at a Burn gig. At this rate, Burn will go on forever with no line up change. Burn got into conversation with the revellers and a fellow bassist, Roland from a Deep purple Tribute band wondered how such a full sound emanated from Johnny's fingers. The secret was revealed - "turn it up!"

Then they disappeared into the night like ghostly vampires or just some guys going home after a gig but the promise was made - they will return! Especially if they get paid.