Defying the norm with Reburn

Can you give us a little background info on the band how you came together what each member brings?

C:Well it's a long story I was waitering at pub and the barman's son was writing something down so I asked him what he was doing and he said he was writing music and was in a band so I joined him, that was Alex and along the line Scottie came along.
S: Yeah I used to play for another band, I used to play for a metal band believe it or not, and now we play indie and these guys asked me to join them and that's how Reburn came together. Funnily enough myself and Alex are both Scottish and our drummers half Scottish that's why our music has that British indie feel. And what we bring… Craig is the Rhythm Guitarist, Alex is the Lead Guitarist, We've got two Jonathans in the band, Jono and Jonathan, Jono is the bassist, Jonathan is the drummer and I'm the frontman.

The name Reburn where does that come from?

C: It is sort of based around the idea of a phoenix, that would rise from the ashes, constant circle.
S: You know keep on going, keep on changing, evolving…keep are music fresh.

How long have you guys been together?

S: Over a year as the band we are now but the actual band has been going for 3 years. Craig and Alex they were the founding members.

How do you feel about digital distribution and copying music are you for or against?

S: Personally I don't care as long as people listen to our music so we can get our message across. What is more rewarding at the end of the day is that people are listening to our music.

You have your first album out?

S: We have one album out now and we will be releasing a new EP very soon.

Who write the lyrics, is it all of you guys?

S: Craig also sings so he writes his songs. And myself and Alex write together as also alone, so there's not just one mind in the band its all of us together which is cool.
C: But we will all get together and work on things and how they're supposed to sound.
S: It's not a one man thing we all come together.

We see you have written a song about Animals Rights, is that an issue that is close to your hearts?

C: That was written by Alex; he's a vegetarian and is into animal rights.

Do you think music should have a political/deeper meaning, a message?

S: I suppose a lot of our music is jokey sarcastic music but there is nothing wrong about doing it for a good cause, I mean animals, children, the homeless…I was actually speaking about it a couple of weeks ago, I would love to do more charity stuff. I think it's for a good cause you know.

Is there a specific message you guys want to send out?

S: Not really, it's just banter most of it. It's music that you get drunk and jump around to.

How do you feel about the South African music industry?

S: It's very slow
C: I don't think there is enough talent scouts out there, not enough people paying attention.
S: I think what is good at the moment is that people are going out and paying more attention to SA music, there are a lot of bands like aKing the Dirty Skirts that are becoming quite big now, like Fokofpolisiekar and I hope that it just keeps on growing cause there is so much talent here. We have got ridden of the whole local is lekker thing and people are actually becoming quite serious about the music that is coming out. There is a lot of talent here that is the main thing.

And you have just recently signed a management contract

S: Yeah Fullspectrum Alternative just a month ago.

And how's that going?

S: It's been going well, what we want to do now is just play at the festivals I think that is going to be the moving forward part for us.

When's your next gig?

C: Were playing at Verdi's a little pub in Edgemead.
S: It's our local and they have always wanted us to play there.

You're planning on doing a national tour soon?

S & C: Yeah

Where about are you going for that?

S: We don't actually know that yet.

You guys considered going international?

S: We will one day
C: I think we will have to wait for our name to get bigger and out there in SA before moving internationally.
S: Ideally we would need to be signed to a record label, because if you go over there you are a little fish in a big pond.

Worst/ best gig venues to play at?

S: Best definitely ROAR and next to that Mercury Live, worst I won't say

Musical Influences?

S: There's so many, Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Party, for me personally and for my writing and stuff I really like Coldplay there are one of my favourite bands. I'm more into the softer music while the rest of the guys are more into the alternative stuff but I think that's what brings together the fuse of our music. I love most indie music anything that makes you happy and jump around I like.
C:My biggest influences are Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Pixies bands like that.

How would you describe the sound of your band?

S: What did someone call it the other day Pop Rock? I would say its Indie Rock it's definitely got a British sound. That's not something that we tried to do it just came naturally to us.

Favourite SA bands?

C: Prime Circle, Taxi Violence
S: I got a couple yeah Taxi Violence, aKing; the Dirty Skirts are also really good. I used to like a band called Driver Down but they have broken up now.

What are your day jobs?

S: I'm a sales man I work for a company called Itec.
C: I was doing the same thing but now I am just delivering pizzas

If you could choose to be a super hero who would you be and why?

S: I would be Spiderman crossed with Wolverine
C: I would probably take Spiderman as well, I don't know why
S: Quite a weird question but I like it.

Message for your fans?

S: keep on coming to the gigs keep on rocking out with us. We love you; yeah we have had a lot of good support in the last year. I'm really appreciative of it just knowing that people know your music and our coming out to listen to you makes me feel really good. It just makes me want to make better music for the people.