Je suis un rock star

Mike Lloyd
BBC News Online

Gigging with top French rockers Pyro makes a change from pulling pints in Alexandria for Scottish barman Jay Burnett.

Burnett is lead singer for Pyro, the French answer to Bon Jovi, who have recently reformed and are tipped for the top.

Jay Burnett (far right) with Pyro

He explained: "I had a short spell with the band once before but it got involved in a row at the record company and disbanded."

Out of the blue he got a call to return to Paris and make a new album, with a pan European tour planned for next year.

"I suppose the kind of music we played became unfashionable for a while but now it is coming back," he said.

Allan Wright, partner in Jack Dempsey's bar in Alexandria, where Burnett DJs, is enthusiastic.

"I am glad, the boy's got good potential," he said, "I have always seen it in him.

"I am happy to let him go and it brings credit back to the club."

Dave Danger

Pyro have had a string of top 10 hits in France but their original front man Dave Danger retired with health problems.

Burnett, whose own band Ocean Diesel recently split, met Pyro in Paris and was asked to stand in.

Founding band members Joel and Bruno Pirault have written the music for the new album and Burnett has penned the lyrics.

So is the language barrier a problem?

"Not really, because my mum is French, she's from Lyon and came to Scotland when I was very young," Burnett said.

"We sing most of the songs in English and the band speaks to me in English too; but it's handy to speak French with the fans."

Small venues

Burnett's ambition is to export this flavour of Gallic rock back to the UK and already he has set up some gigs in Scotland.

"We're going to strip everything down and play small venues like clubs and bars," he said.

He knows he has some way to go before the superstar lifestyle catches up with him so there's no prospect of giving up the club work yet.

"Basically the boss has been great. I am hoping this time though, this is my real chance."