Hello Mr Moat – welcome back to Sentinel Daily! It’s been a while… thanks for taking part in our by-now traditional end of year recapitulation – now, to the questions!

For the benefit of our readers, please identify yourself and what you do in the band… “Hi, I’m Gary Moat and I sing and write the songs for Burnt Out Wreck“.

Both of which tasks you perform admirably if I may be permitted to say… What sort of a year do you think it’s been musically, notwithstanding the chaos going on in the real world? And what were your musical highlights in 2020? “Absolutely abysmal! as if musicians didn’t get a bad enough deal eh? The world’s gone mad. As far as the band’s concerned we played some great shows January February this year and were all set for a busy year but we’re looking forward not back”.

Probably the best way to look at it… Any lowlights for you? Or do you prefer to try and stay away from things that are going to make you disappointed? “Not really no but winter is coming (laughs)”.

We can’t talk about 2020 without mentioning COVID- how did it impact on your band specifically? And how did you combat COVID setbacks? And, moving ahead, do you think the way we do things like touring in the future will be able to take any positives from what’s happened since March? “It’s been tough for sure yeah. We have a new guitarist and he was looking forward to his live audition first gig with the band back in May but that obviously went out the window along with the festival gigs and more. We don’t all live close to each other so we haven’t been together since February. I hope people will be able to come back to live events and feel confident about it, I’m sure it’ll happen, it’s just when…”

It’s already happening here in Canberra, although sitting at a table at a full-on rock show with strangers in a half empty venue does put a bit of a kybosh on proceedings, atmosphere-wise! If A worldwide pandemic had happened twenty years ago it’s arguable that the effect on bands may have been even worse given the absence of the internet and social media – Do you think the fact that fans now have a much more direct line to bands meant that social media played a part in helping bands survive this period of financial instability? What do you think of the rash of pay per view concerts we have seen spring up recently? “Of course. Can you imagine just watching the news and having no way to talk apart from a house phone? I think that without the fans on the internet sharing posts and videos keeping the band in other people’s minds it would be the end for some bands, but I can’t say personally it’s helped financially – I won’t know that until next year to see if the albums have sold a few copies. Livestreams? It’s not something I am into, no – I’ll wait to play live to a room full of people, but if it’s helped others then good on ’em for trying”.

And what about the ‘Zoom Jams’ – are you a fan? If so, what ones should we be seeking out on the internet to cheer ourselves up? “Again, I’ve seen a few but you really need the equipment in every band members house to make it sound great – not everyone can”.

Shows are tentatively being booked now across the world for 2021 and beyond – what does the next twelve months hold for you? “I would love it to be 2021 but we shall see how it works out. I have been working on new songs and so will be looking to make album number three for 2021 and who knows what else because as you know we get hit with all sorts of stuff daily – never a dull moment around Burnt Out Wreck”.

It’s our end of year round up, so of course our thoughts are turning to the Holiday season. What’s best for you? Christmas or New Year? And what will you be drinking? “Both just as much as each other. Obviously we have Burnt Out Wreck Cider and Ale you can buy them online – just Google it – so I will have a fridge full of that (laughs)”.

Lucky man! You’ve been invited to the Sentinel Daily office party -we’ve let you take charge of the stereo for five songs. What will you play? “Pump it UpElvis Costello, Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick by Ian Dury, PrinceGet Up, Man I Feel Like a Woman by Shania Twain and Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade. It’s a party, yeah?”

Well, it was until Shania came on! That’s enough festive fun – here’s your chance to speak directly to our readers – what would you like to say to them? “A very heart felt thanks to you all for your support have a great Christmas and New Year  – we can only try. See you all when the gig starts, thanks”.

Thanks for taking part!

Gary’s old band, Heavy Pettin, released a Best Of album last week on Burnt Out Wreckords.