The Rob Sas Interview
Hi Rob. We meet again. There’s been lots going on with the band once again, it seems.
Yes, there has indeed. 2009 was a dreadful year for gigs. Most were cancelled due to the poor economic climate one way or another. So many pubs have closed down and/or stopped having live music and it resulted in loads of bands chasing fewer venues. I’ve never known a year quite like it but happily this year seems to be showing a vast improvement in the situation and we seem to have a fair number of gigs for 2010.
I understand that but I was thinking about the sudden change in drummer.
Ah, yes. I was getting to that! Ross had been in the band for something like fourteen years but last year he got the jitters because of the lack of gigs and joined a local covers band called Abakus who are good mates of ours, to keep himself busy. He did a bunch of gigs with them which he really enjoyed. Towards the end of last year he said to me that he thought Burn was going to split up. Where he got that idea from, I haven’t a clue but I could feel some unrest from him during gigs and could feel that he wasn’t entirely happy. Still, we played our December and January gigs, then one in February and within a couple of days of that, I got a message whilst in Spain telling me that Ross had suddenly decided to leave the band permanently. Its something I didn’t expect to happen and I won’t deny I was extremely saddened by it. Ross and I spoke on the phone and I understand his reasoning, though I don’t agree with them but it’s his choice at the end of the day. He simply had had enough of the band. The important thing is that there hasn’t been any kind of falling out and we will remain the very best of friends, of that there is no doubt. Ross and I have known each other for almost twenty years, which pre-dates Burn……. We’ve been through a lot together and so I’m certain we will meet up for a beer and a gossip soon. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish Ross all the best of luck with his future musical ventures.
What will happen with the live recording you did in 2009?
We’ve mixed six songs from that recording and still plan to release the CD sometime soon. John is talking to Les Payne who did the recording about getting the remaining tracks with a view to mixing the rest of the best himself. It’ll be a good record of the band as it was at that time. Hopefully it will be out soon but as it stands now, I wouldn’t hold your breath. John is involved!
So who is the new drummer and what is his background?
Garry Randall is the new drummer. He’s very enthusiastic and is a lively character. He is the obvious choice for Burn because he is a big Deep Purple fan, just like John and me. Garry has many years experience playing in covers bands and he also plays with Deep Purple tribute band 24 Carat Purple who I joined a couple of years ago. His style is very Ian Paice like, which will obviously suit a lot of our songs. He is also a John Bonham fan, so it looks like Burn is set for a new era and a new beginning. I’m sure that lots of the songs will change the way they are played and that can’t be a bad thing. I’m looking forward to it.
Great! How do you think Garry will fit in with you and John and be thought of by your millions of world-wide fans?
I’m certain that Garry will fit in just fine musically and that people will like Garry and his style of drumming…..and maybe even his humour! He is used to thinking on his feet and loves to ad lib during gigs, which makes him the ideal choice. He knows most of our set, is a classic rock fan, so what more could we ask for? I’m looking forward to seeing how the band evolves from here, actually. Like I said earlier, it’s a new beginning…. A re-birth. Perhaps it’s what we’ve needed but time will tell on that question.
Will you be putting in some new songs into the set? That has always been an issue with you guys. Apparently you are the one not happy to play most suggestions from the band.
Huh! I have impeccable taste… as long as everything is rainbow coloured, black or purple, there is no problem! In fact we’ve just decided on a Boston number that we’ll be doing. We’ll get a few gigs under our belt, see how our main songs fare and progress, then look at other songs or perhaps resurrect some songs we haven’t done for a long while. All in all, these are exciting times. Hold it….. Are you trying to insinuate something?
No, not at all, Mr Sas… Moving along, then. Have there been any new musical acquisitions lately?
Not since I bought my Line 6 X3 Live pedal back in June 2008. That pedal has replaced my ageing rack and MIDI pedal and is used on every gig I do, now. It really is a stunning piece of gear and I love it. In fact, I’d be totally lost without it! With that and my Relic Strat, I haven’t enjoyed my gear more in many years.
Is there anything else going on at the moment?
Musically, it’s getting busy again what with Burn, my Back 2 Back duo and now with 24 Carat Purple who have a few nice gigs lined up including the BMAD biker fest in Paignton at the end of April and the Ley Hill Music and Beer festival at the end of August. The gigging situation is looking like it is returning to normal but it might be too early to say that, still. I plan to be in Spain during all of May and do a few gigs with Ian Grant and solo, as is usual for me but at the moment, money is still rather tight, so we’ll have to see.
Thanks for all of that, Rob. We look forward to seeing how the new line up works.
Cheers. Where is that pint you promised me?