Waysted frontman Fin Muir has revealed exclusively to Classic Rock that the band are to take a break while bassist Pete Way battles a drink problem and other health issues.

Way is also taking a sabbatical from his other band, UFO. Way’s place has been taken on UFO’s current tour by Barry Sparks (Dokken/MSG/Yngwie Malmsteen/Ted Nugent etc).

“Pete’s never out of the doctors and hospitals,” Fin tells Classic Rock’s Geoff Barton.

“Bless him. He’s got psychiatrists and specialists crawling all over him. You name them, they’re in there trying to sort him out.

“He’s on serious medication, too. He’s trying, trying, not to drink! He can do it when he’s at home, the thing is I can’t picture him out and about, playing and socialising, without having a drink.

“But he has to, Geoff. He’s 59 next birthday, fuck’s sake.

“He has to realise he’s not 21 anymore, he’s lonely and life is passing him by. It’s pretty sad, I talk to him every day and there’s always a reason why he hasn’t done something about anything! Love him, but it’s very fucking frustrating.

“He’ll be a unique case for the NHS, that’s for sure. It’s the UFO disease, doctor. Him and Phil [Mogg, UFO frontman] started it, and all who’ve come in contact with them have caught it! In various degrees, right enough.

“That’s a bonkers interview you’ve just done with Phil. (I hear he’s taken to wearin’ a kilt!) Pete doesn’t like me mentioning his name at the moment. A big fall out there! I know it’s hurting that they [UFO] are playing without him.”

Fin reveals what he’s been up to while Waysted take a break. (The band are pictured above, from left: guitarist Chris George, Fin Muir, Pete Way and drummer Paul Haslin.)

“I’ve been in Columbus, initially to work on an unearthed Tommy Bolin tune [Jump Back] with Wayne Findlay, Kelly Garni, Kelle Rhoads and Scotty Phillips. A project that Pete’s old manager, Frank Powers, put together with a view to it maybe being an ongoing thing, but Wayne’s material is way to heavy for my ears!

“Enter American Dog with four tracks [Twilight Zone – Golden Earring, Never In My Life – Mountain, Shoot Shoot and This Kid’s – you know who) recorded four years ago with a view to Pete putting vocals on them! Not being allowed back into the States he couldn’t, so I have and it’s hand in glove, pal, they suit me to a tee. The guys are top drawer and we got on like family, so there’s now talk of me doing an album with them.

“American Dog and Fin – Dogatised! Not the worst idea I’ve ever heard. Life – it’s a funny old thing, isn’t it?

“They’ve just finished their new album and are working on ideas for when we get together. August/September is pencilled in for our next meet up, Pete’s given it his blessing and if all goes to plan and we tour the UK Pete will be MC/play a few tunes (depending on his ‘condition’). We’ll maybe fit him with ‘Pete Cam’!

“So, in conclusion, Waysted are on hold at the moment, but Laurence Archer is sniffin’ about, which could be good, I worked with him on ideas back in the day, but Pete has to sort himself out before anything can move forward.”

Needless to say, Classic Rock wishes Pete Way all the very best. We hope to see him back on stage sometime very soon.

STOP PRESS FROM FIN: “Chris George is no longer in Waysted, his Marshall commitments were too much of a priority with him, hence why Laurence Archer’s name has come into the mix.”