Rob caught up with Saint D and Thorsten from Burden to talk about their debut albym, supporting Kyuss and much more.

Can you give us a brief history of the band such as how you got together and came up with the name Burden?
Saint D: We started in 2006, At first we were hanging around jamming with no real focus, but then we met Thorsten in 2008, from then the band got a clear idea as to where we were heading. The vocals are very important to our music.

Your album ‘A Hole In The Shell’ has just been released in Europe, how has it gone down with your fans and the press so far?
Thorsten: We released the album in Germany in October last year, we had a lot of response from that, now were looking for new feedback from other parts of the world.

Saint D: It was released on the 18th of march so we haven't had much feedback yet.

Thorsten: The audience response so far has been good from our shows.

What themes and stories do you cover within the album?
Thorsten: The story of my life (laughter), saint D is putting a lot of private stuff into the melodies, same with the lyrics, I myself, write about private things, personal matters, but I like to write very cryptically, so its left open to the listener to get there own meaning from the lyrics.

What would you say your favourite tracks from the album are and why?
Saint D, Thorsten: Conflict, we fucking love that song, its too long for a support act which is why we dont play it much, Its got a very broad view of what were able to do.

You are signed to Van Records, how did this come about and how have they been treating you so far?
Saint D: They treat us very well, There small, but there very enthusiastic about music, the owner, if he likes some music, he's able to a lot, put music out on vinyl, CD, some major labels wouldn't do that a band like us.

Thorsten: Sven, the head of Van records, he's a bit mad, no responsible boss would say, I've never heard of this band but I like this, but lets do the most expensive artwork for the DVD, poster etc, who does that? He does, he loves music, he puts money behind it, we can only be thankful for that.

How do you go about creating new music?
Thorsten: Mostly Saint D provides the instrumental part, most he comes to me with an idea with the song a basic with guitars and digital drums, then I write lyrics to it, then we take it to the rest of the band to see if its organic and to see if we can jam on it and try out things, the main song is always comes from the 2 of us. But its defiantly a group effort

You are currently on the road supporting Kyuss Lives, how did this come about and how have you been finding the shows so far?
Thorsten I suck cocks, I'm not ashamed of it (much laughter)

Saint D: We have that special team behind us, we heard that there will be a Kyuss Lives tour in 2011, we told our management and they worked it out and made it happen. We tried to get on the tour last year but they didn't want any support bands, but this year they did. Were trying to get our selves a good name in the business, we think the whole privacy thing is important, we try to be on time with our set, we don't mess about with the beer of the other bands, we try to a cool band to tour with. The shows have been great so far. Were having a lot of fun and were looking forward to what happens after the door.

Have you been hanging out with the guys from Kyuss whilst on the road and if so what have you been getting up to?
Thorsten :We try to keep some responsibility while out on tour, we had a great time in Amsterdam, in the later dates we've connected with them a little bit more, we like to respect the privacy of other bands on the tour, that's why we waited for them to approach us, that's what they now do, there nice guys, were having a good time with them.

Saint D: There great musicians, I'm really impressed with what they do on stage, its awesome.

What do you have planned once the Kyuss Lives tour comes to an end?
Saint D: Touring, festivals, headlining a small tour.

Can we expect you to head back to the UK in the summer to play any of the festivals?
Thorsten: Not at the moment, but we would like too

Social network sites seem to be a big tool in the music industry these days, with artists communicating with their fans over it and some even ditching their own website and having just a social network page, what are your opinions on social networks as tools in the music industry?
Thorsten: Its a free tool, Its not rock an roll but it does help us reach people while on tour, Since all these sites became available, bands have been able to reach out to people so they can listen to music, if you don't use these sites, then you can miss out on some fans.

Saint D: Myspace isn't that good any more

Where do you hope to see Burden in a year’s time?
Thorsten I defiantly want to write more songs, play some festivals, we haven't done that so far, I want to get wasted.
Saint D: I'd like to be writing new songs, I think that's what's important for the band right now, If it works out that we can tour with a another band, then we will.

One last random question that we ask every band, if you could be an animal out of a zebra or Giraffe which one would you be and why?
Saint D: A mixture, A Zebraf, that's good.

Thorsten. Giraffe, the whole running away shit isn't for me, I like to chill and eat from high trees.

Thanks for your time is there a message for your fans reading this?
Thorsten: That's always a difficult one, Buy our stuff, make us filthy fucking rich, so I dont ave to suck cocks any more (laughter) Appreciate music, come to our shows, bring everyone, get there early.

Interview By Robert Lawrence