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He is the groove-ster of the band. He has a haunting appearance that manifests itself on stage. To some extent... he projects anonymity. Why? His Rock Star: INXS bio only offers up his first name. And, on stage, he shields himself from us with a dark, face-encompassing set of shades.
And then... There is the beanie. It is his differentiation. His mark. His marketing uniqueness that demands you to ask yourself, “Who was that bassist with the beanie?”
He is Sasha, the bass player of the Rock Star House Band.
Gotta admit... All that anonymity, haunting mumbo jumbo I just wrote about above... It all disappears the moment you shake hands with one of the nicest guys I have met all season. His nature is warm, welcoming and funny. And, although Sasha does cover his eyes and hair on stage, the Russian born musician, sculptor, husband and father of two is not nearly as remote as you may think.
REX: In the morning do you prefer coffee or tea?
Sasha: [In a thin Russian accent] My wife... She makes me coffee.
REX: Chocolate or Peanut M&Ms?
Sasha: My kids, they like the chocolate. So that’s what I eat. I just don't want their teeth to go bad.
REX: What’s your favortie movie?
Sasha: Silence of the Lambs. Dark art excites me and Anthony Robbins was amazing in that movie.
REX: I just learned that you sold over 20 million cds back in Russia? Why did you immigrate to the US? Sounds like you had a good gig going over there?
Sasha: Yah. We sold a lot of records. But... We made no money off those albums. Zemlyane, the band I was in was a big band, but it was tough.
REX: Why didn’t you make any money?
Sasha: Ya know, that is a good question. It’s just how the system was over there at the time. Now, its changing. But, the only way we could make money was to tour was by playing 4-5 shows a day, 6 days a week.
REX: Whoa!
Sasha: Yes. It was a lot of work. I was only sixteen at the time. I was a kid. It was fun. Playing in front of 10,000 people is a rush!
REX: So that’s why you moved?
Sasha: That’s part of the reason. The other part might be little of an ego thing. If you can make it in the US, you can make it anywhere. I wanted to test myself and see how far I could go as a musician. Now, my ego has all but disappeared. In the end, it’s all about the fans. The people that support you.
REX: One of your kids name is Jazz? Do you think Tyler is going to resent you for not calling him something like Punk or Alternative or Fusion?
Sasha: [Chuckling.] Should I have called him ‘Rock’? I don’t think I could get away with that. The story is my wife and I were in a panic to find another a name for our new baby and Tyler fit.
REX: I hear your work schedule on Rock Star: INXS is tremendous. Have you had any time to sculpt lately?
Sasha: I paint and do scultpures. I still go to my art studio. It’s a little harder to get going but art is a critical part of my life. I love the challenge. You can see some of my art at www.desaart.com.
REX: Have you planned any vacations for once RSI ends?
Sasha: For now, we are just going to wait and see how the show ends up. There has been talk about doing some recording with a few of the cast members after the show wraps. So, we’re just going to wait and see what might come around next.
REX: What was your favorite performance so far on RSI?
Sasha: There’s been so many of them... JD’s original song, Pretty Vegas, really rocked. It made me feel like when I used to play with Billy Idol. Playing with Nate on that song, in particular, is heaven. That guy is awesome. All the guys are awesome. It’s great to know that when you’re playing everyone on stage has your back. I have no worries when I’m out there.
REX: Any word on a Rock Star 2?
Sasha: Ya know, that’s a good question. It seems like everyone is keeping it quiet for now. We’ll see. I hope so.
REX: Thanks for your time Sasha!
Sasha: Thank you man!
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