Might of Murray
DESPITE THE LATE CALL-UP, PETE MURRAY IS READY TO FACE THE MUSIC ON SAS AUSTRALIA
Like his music, Pete Murray is simply smooth and effortlessly chilled, so he’s the last person you’d expect to pop up on a reality TV show. And you’d certainly not have picked him to put his hand up for the brutal physical and mental challenge that is SAS Australia.
Murray’s always been fit and in fact, before music came calling, the singer/songwriter looked set for a rugby career. He was picked for the Queensland Sevens in 1993, but a series of serious knee injuries ended that. Murray’s never quashed that competitive spirit. and jumped at the chance to put himself through one of the ultimate tests.
“I loved the idea of what the show is about and how it pushes you to your limits,” he tells Midweek Binge Guide.
“I keep fit and I train hard and I like to push myself, but having the DS (Directing Staff) to push you was great.
“Look, it was scary and you didn’t know what you were doing, but it was a great experience.”
A late call-up to the contingent, the 51-year-old had a month to get ready. Despite keeping fit with regular workouts and surfing near his Byron Bay home, Murray was a little concerned he wouldn't keep up with some of the younger celebs. He hadn’t run in 25 years thanks to his two knee reconstructions.
The first day he ran 3km to see how’d he go.
“I was like ‘Holy Jesus’,” Murray jokes. “After 25 years it was real struggle.”
But he got back into the flow by the end of that week. Then a week of promo in Melbourne meant he could only find time to run on a treadmill late at night in his hotel gym. Disaster struck after about 30 seconds. He strained his calf.
“I was like ‘Are you serious? I’m three weeks out’,” Murray winces at the recollection.
The first episode of this second instalment opens with a bang as we see all the recruits – including singer/actor Bonnie Anderson, socialite Brynne Edelsten, dual Olympian Jana Pittman, celebrity chef Manu Feildel, tennis legend Mark
Philippoussis, ironman Jett Kenny, and controversial NRL player Sam Burgess – gassed.
Murray took it in his stride, and while not enjoying it per se, explains he appreciated it as an amazing experience he’d never usually have.
“And after the gassing you come out and run down to the parade ground and strip naked,” he shares.
“They’re just stripping you of everything you’ve got, and leaving the outside world behind. I’m into that – I think it’s just great how they do it all.”
Eighteen Aussie celebrities volunteered to leave their privileged lives behind and embark on what is likely to be the toughest test of their lives – a condensed version of the Special Forces selection course, a brutal process which will physically and mentally strip them back to the core. They’re given a number instead of names – Murray is recruit No.5.
In punishing conditions, they were subjected to extreme physical endurance, sleep deprivation, interrogation and psychological testing, with no allowances made for their celebrity status or gender.
Murray says he was constantly on edge, wondering what would be thrown at him next. He didn’t sleep a wink the first night in the uncomfortable camp cot. While much has been made on social media about the so-called “bullying tactics” used by the DS – led by Chief Instructor Ant Middleton – Murray defends the staff.
“The boys are not bullies, it’s not about that,” he explains.
“When the guys abuse you, they are actually there to help you get through. They said straightaway on the show ‘if you listen to us, we’ll get you through, but you have to listen to us’. They’re there to freak you out as well – they want the mentally strong.
“It’s not a reality show. It’s a course. I am not into reality shows, but this is doing a course.”
Murray just welcomed his fourth child – daughter Sahara May with wife Mira Eady in June – and laughs when we suggest he took on the challenge to escape domestic duties. He spends plenty of time at home, writing and creating in his home studio. And even more so as the Delta wave of Covid locks
down half of Australia, further crippling the live music scene.
“I do like family time – it’s a priority,” he says. “To be honest though, I’m pretty keen to get out and starting playing again – it’s nothing to do with family. But you do go stir crazy when you can’t perform.”
SAS AUSTRALIA, MONDAY, 7.30PM, CH.7 HOLD ME STEADY, (SONY) OUT SEP 17