Rocking The Establishment

WHILE they haven’t officially split, John Burns’ Nottingham-based five-piece, The Establishement, have gone their separate ways over the past 12 months after a 10-year run which saw them play at festivals such as Electric Picnic and support Status Quo and Ocean Colour Scene.

The band were formed in 2006 by Burns (circled) and drummer Steven Landon before being joined by vocalist Stephen ‘Hobbo’ Hobster, bass guitarist Neil Jacks and guitarist Stuart Landon, with former footballer Dion Dublin managing the group.

Their debut album, Veritas, was released in 2013 and debut single Be That Way was supported by Burns’ old Nottingham Forest teammates, Stuart Pearce and Des Walker, who had cameos in the video.

Another ex-Forest star, Teddy Sheringham, also appeared but it was the influence and chance to work with a fellow guitarist, Ocean Colour Scene’s Steve Craddock, which most excited Burns.

‘He co-produced our album and I can remember sitting with him one night talking about what it was like to support Oasis when they played Knebworth in 1996. It was such an important part of my own life at the time and Steve was a part of it at that time. To be able to work so closely with him was fantastic, it was a privilege.’

And should The Establishment ever decide to rock back into life, Burns will happily be a part of it. ‘Life takes over and you go your separate ways with family and work, but of course I look back with a lot of good memories.’