Article from: The Circle A literary / Art Magazine Winter 1995

by Katie Silvestre

    Chris Burgan grew up amongst the sounds of We Five, the sixties band famous for such Top 40 folk-rock hits as "You were on my mind" and "Cast your fate to the winds."  He had no choice.  His dad Jerry was a co-founding member with
Michael Stewart that played with the likes of such legends as the Rolling Stones, The Byrds, and the Righteous Brothers.
    Burgan joined his parent's band as a guitarist in 1986 (recently playing at the K-Earth 101 Legends of Rock concert at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles).
    But, We Five is not Burgan's only project.  In fact, he is now in the studio with his new band 541 Baseline, combining his traditional influences with a freshly modern sound.
    Additionally, Burgan works as an illustrator and art teacher, besides being a musician, all in a time when it is difficult to survive as an artist of any kind.
    Playing with his parents has helped him gain the experience to make a clean transition into forming his own bands.  Still, he hasn’t completely left his We Five root behind. 
    "541 Baseline is a kind of nod to We Five in the 90's."     He continues "there are five part harmonies with complex musical ideas and themes.... it is lyric-oriented and guitar-driven.  The sound is basically folk, only a volume louder."
    In the past few years folk based music has made a strong comeback, as can be witnessed by the obvious success of similar groups such as Hootie and the Blowfish and the Dave Matthews Band.  Burgan is hoping the niche opened by these newer style bands will allow him to succeed with the same type of music, which he has literally been "born into."
    Though music has always been his love, he began his adult career not as a musician but as an artist working for Jackson Guitars as a graphic artist designing art placed on guitars.  This lasted ten years.  During that time Burgan created artwork belonging to many bands of the eighties, including names like Iron Maiden, Ratt, Def Leppard, The Bangles, Megadeath, Rough Cut and Nelson. 
    Although he is still working as a freelance artist, Burgan is also employed as a Fine Arts teacher at Glendora High School in Glendora, California.     This pathway is not uncommon.  Burgan laughs as he piles a handful of pencils into a glass jar; "stars like Gene Simmons of Kiss, Sheryl Crow and Sting were also teachers prior to their stardom."
    He stares at the two students perched on a counter who hang a just-completed work on the far wall.  He speaks more seriously now.  "But really, I just enjoy working with youth,” Burgan explains.  "I think this is also conveyed in my music."
    Burgan spent his own youth often separated from his peers.  Unlike other children his age, the young Burgan passed his summer vacations touring with his parents.  Burgan still fondly remembers how one night he gained immediate respect for B.B. King, when during one We Five show, King chose to keep the solitary Burgan company backstage instead of hanging out with his band and crew.
    At the same time, "Playing with We Five allows me to relive my childhood," observing, "only this time from the stage instead of the crowd."
    Even though Burgan's 541 Baseline project is blossoming he continues to play with We Five.  "Since the band is already established, there is no risk stepping out on stage,” explaining, "I can simply concentrate on having fun because the audience has already been won." 
    He also realizes that there is a vast difference when performing live with his own band.  He has to work harder to please the audience, while putting more of himself on the line.
    When asked which takes priority, art or music, Chris Burgan can't give a definite answer.  He says that his talents are one... they all combine to form his person, his character.  "Any one aspect of my person could not stand alone to keep me happy and motivated. I take from all areas of my life and pull them together to make a whole."