Gary Moat is a founding member of the British rock band Heavy Pettin', who has stepped out from behind the drum kit to lead a new project titled "Burnt Out Wreck". With the backing of great musicians, BOW has just released a brand new CD of well written songs named "Swallow". As Gary explains "Well I had a bunch of tunes written over the years, and thought it was about time I recorded them, so off I went and ended up writing five new songs along the way." I asked Gary a few questions about the new material and his career.
R.V.B. - Congratulations on your new Album "Swallow". What is behind the title? Was there a conceptual idea or did it just feel like the right name?
G.M. - Thanks. Well I had a bunch of tunes written over the years, and thought it was about time I recorded them, so off I went and ended up writing five new songs along the way. "Swallow" being one of those. It seemed like it fitted the bill in two ways: one obviously goes out to anyone that thought I was all finished 30 years ago with HP and the other - well just look at this world - it's in a right state but don't expect everyone to believe the crap they spout. Hence "Swallow".
R.V.B. - I understand that you started the album process with going into the studio for a few songs at first and then it naturally morphed into a full-fledged album. How did the writing process proceed?
G.M. - Well it started to sound great and people around me were saying good things about it so I kinda got into it.
R.V.B. - Was it easy for you to take a different approach as a frontman/singer as opposed to sitting behind a kit as you did in the past?
G.M. - Yes. I have been out front for a long time on and off over the years so it's cool.
R.V.B. - Does the music on "Swallow" present a cross-section of your career as a musician?
G.M. - Not all of it. This album is all about what comes out of me naturally... it's what I enjoy. I also have a heavier side, and maybe I will phase some of that in if there is another album.
R.V.B. - Can you tell me a little bit about some of the other people that helped out making this record?
G.M. - Yeah, on all lead guitars, I have Adrian Dunn. We have played on and off for many years but without him on lead, it would not sound the same. He`s just awesome. On drums, it's a mixture of myself and my old drummer Mick Ivory. On the track "Your love is all I need", two guys from Ng26 played drums and bass: Rob Shaw and Jon Topley. I played the bass and guitars on the rest of the album.
R.V.B. - How did you get started in the world of music? What sparked your interest and who were your early influences?
G.M - Drums it was all about the drums... early 70`s pop rock.
R.V.B. - What would you say was your first big break in the music business?
G.M. - Doing a Radio 1 Tommy Vance Rock Show session with Heavy Pettin'.
R.V.B. - You have toured and shared the stage with many big names in your career. Ozzy... Kiss... Whitesnake and others. Do you have any memorable shows that stick out in your mind?
G.M. - Many great shows just to have been a part of those tours. But Kiss Lick it Up at Wembley was just enormous.
R.V.B. - What are you proud of with your accomplishments of your "Heavy Pettin'" tenure?
G.M. - All of it. We set out to be a signed band and we achieved that, and more.
R.V.B. - Did anything ever go unexpectedly wrong during a show? Like maybe malfunctioning equipment or things beyond your control?
G.M. - All the time. If it wasn't me being burned by falling pyros, or idiots in the crowd throwing live jumping jack fireworks in between my legs on stage, see being the drummer you can't run away from anything!
R.V.B. - Where did you come up with the name "Burnt Out Wreck"?
G.M. - Well I just looked in the mirror!
R.V.B. - Hard rock and Metal still seems to be thriving in Europe. What makes the people there be drawn to the power of this genre?
G.M. - I don't know, Europe always was a great place to play. The people just seem to get out more over there!
R.V.B. - What are your plans for supporting the new album?
G.M. - To play as often as we can... If we`re asked to of course. The industry has changed so much. We will have to take it as it comes.
Interview conducted by Robert von Bernewitz
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