WAYSTED

WAYSTED
These days Waysted are more concerned with `green' issues than quaffing masses of alcohol. And if you believe that...
WORDS: GEOFF BARTON
The Harsh Reality is Waysted's first new studio offering since 2004's Back From The Dead - and 'there won't be a better, more honestto-goodness British rock album released this year; according to the review in our last issue. Waysted were formed by UFO bassist Pete Way in 1982. Since then they've had long periods of inactivity - and more line-up changes than Way has had hangovers. Well, almost. The appeal of the modern-day band hinges on the raucous camaraderie between Way, Scottish singer Fin (Muir), guitarist Chris George and drummer Paul Haslin. But relations were strained for a while when George quit because he was fed up with Pete Way's drunken antics...

Chris, we understand you only returned to the fold on the proviso that Way behaved himself? Chris George: Actually, they turned up at my front door with a suitcase full of £50 notes. No, seriously, I think the main factor, was Fin, to be honest. I never liked him when he was drunk and he knows that. I'd been out of the band for a year or so but I joined up with them again for a gig in Glasgow last September[after several ill-fated shows with Robin George on guitar]. Fin had cleaned himself up and he was serious about music. So we took it day by day. The new album's title track has a 'green'theme.
Care to expand on that?
Fin: We're eco-warriors now. The first line of The Harsh Reality goes: Just how many of you turn the tap off when you clean your teeth?' Having worked in bars for lots of my life, I'm very conscious of people wasting water. Not to mention beer. I used to live in Milton Keynes, a modern city where they have plastic pipes, not those leaky Victorian ones, and yet we still had water shortages. What's Roclrin' The Cliche about? Fin: People who say things like `oh, really', 'basically' and `at the end of the day' get up my nose. So the song is full of phrases like that. It's a bit of a release for my frustration. Chris George: Even the guitar solo is a widdly-widdly piss-take. Pete Way: Some of our stuff is tongue-incheek. But that doesn't mean it's designed to be comical.
Tell us about the ballad Song For Steve.
Fin: It's about a pal of mine who I lost three years ago, at age 47, to emphysema. He was the older, more sensible brother that I never had. We became good friends but he died prematurely. It's a very heartfelt song. I've taken most of the lyrics from what I said at his funeral. I like people who tell stories in songs. I'm a major fan of Tom Waits and John Mellencamp.
Fin, you have a bit of a'seelou-Jimmy' rant in the middle of Out Of ControL What's that about? Fin: It's a criticism of the know-it-alls who come into bars and tell you how to change the world. It's also a dig at celebrity culture. Paul Haslin: I hate all that. My old lady enjoys reality TV but I prefer the Discovery Channel. I tend to take the dog out for a walk when reality TV is on.
Fin: When I was up in Glasgow visiting my amily, my sister came in to tell me that Jim Davidson had been sacked from Hell's Kitchen. But really, who gives a fuck? Pete, a little bird tells us you didn't play all the bass on the new album. Pete Way: I was busy with UFO and Phil [Mogg, vocals] was making me re-learn all these old songs. It was frustrating because Phil had forgotten the words to most of them anyway! There was a bit of a clash of interests so I got my bass tech, Jason Poole, to do some overdubs. It's a balancing act because as well as Waysted I've got my UFO commitments to fulfil. Jason might play a few live shows with Waysted in future, although I hope it doesn't come to that.