I sit in the Savoy bar and finish my second tonic water. Looking at my watch I see he is 47 minutes late and I wonder whether to call it a day, when I hear some girlish screams from outside. 5 minutes late Panas walks in. it takes another 10 for him to finally reach my table after warmly greeting almost every living soul in the hotel. When he does reach me he sits down orders a fosters, takes of his ray ban aviator sunglasses and looks at me in the eye. “Let’s make this quick im meeting Johnny in half hour” (Johnny Barrell lead singer of Razorlight!).
-“It’s been a great few years for you, any highlights?”
· “It’s been decent, I suppose” he replies with a wry smile. “a highlight , well Redding last year was unbelievable, main stage, headline act; what more could I ask for. However playing with Paul McCartney tops that. He’s a true legend. One day it will be me showing some young kid the ropes and giving him his big break.”
-“You seem confident?”
· “You would be if you were me” he states whilst taking a sip of his beer.
- What influenced you to become a musician?”
· “Well I have all ways been a huge fan of the classic bands Queen, led zeppelin, Bon Jovi however it was Johnny cash who got me into music” Panas clearly saw my surprise and felt the need to elaborate “ well as a child it was all I heard and at first I thought it was crap but as I grew I learnt to appreciate it and realised how much of a great story teller he was through song”
-“Your music is typically played by bands; how comes you went it alone?”
· He stares at me for a few seconds and I wonder if bringing up his failed bands was a wise choice. But to my relief he simply put down his glass and says “As you know Dave, I was part of three different bands, which all failed. Fact of the matter was that any success we had was down to me, I kept each band afloat. So I decided that I didn’t need them and wet on alone.” He pauses and takes another gulp of his fosters. “A wise choice if you ask me” he says whilst looking around at the luxurious bar.
-“very true, anyway what would you say the best part of being a musician is?”
· “People will tell you, it’s all about the music and the money and fame is irrelevant, Bollocks. Trust me I do it for the money, don’t get me wrong I love the music but I couldn’t live without the money now.”
-“And the fame?”
· “The fame, well, the fame I could do without.”
-“So what do you do when you’re not working?”
· “Im 24, what do you think” he says almost with frustration at the question. “I shop, go out, get drunk, come home, sleep and work”. “Oh and I like to Travel.”
“Right im of now mate” he quickly replaces his sunglasses, Briefly shakes my hand and walks out.
As he leaves waving to a group of girls at the bar, I see a man who has clearly made it, and he knows it. I pack up my things and try to decide whether I like the man. Either way he is destined to make a huge impact on the music industry.”
