Alumnus Profile:
Mitch Burman '87
norwich.com, March 2006
We got to stand side by side, we got to stand together and organize. They say power to the people, that's what they're screamin'. Freedom of the soul. Pass it on, pass it on to the young and old. -Jimi Hendrix
In his 1987 War Whoop, where most of his classmates penned grateful tributes to their moms and dads, Mitch Burman quotes the lyrics of legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix. The words proved prescient: a rising star in the world of rock, Burman is currently the bass guitarist for former Creed lead singer Scott Stapp. In Hendrix's words, Burman has found a way to "pass it on", and he credits his time spent at Norwich as a major factor in his success.
Burman arrived at Norwich from Massachusetts with dreams of pursing a military career. As an undergrad, he was a two-sport athlete and earned a BS in physical education. It was during his sophomore year, however, that he discovered his true calling: the bass guitar.
"I remember going into [White Chapel], and there were amps down in the basement," Burman said. "A few guys and I would just sit around and jam."
Two decades later, Burman is hitting the big time. Speaking from Detroit while on tour in support of Stapp's debut LP, "The Great Divide," Burman says he is living out a dream.
"At Norwich, I played hockey and lacrosse… I never thought I'd wind up being a musician -- it was just a dream. But through hard work it is possible to find that light at the end of the tunnel," Burman said.
After graduation, Burman moved to Boston, where he played in some local bands. In the mid-90s, he relocated to Houston, opened up a 300-person capacity nightclub called Instant Karma, and hooked up with fellow musicians John Curry (vocals/guitar), Marc Archer (drummer) and Artie Rincon (lead guitar). The quartet, known as goneblind, hit the road relentlessly, performing their hard-hitting rock from coast to coast, and developing a wide fan base in the process. In 2002, the band's hard work paid off -- goneblind signed a recording contract with Island Def Jam subsidiary Roadrunner Records, and released their debut CD later that year.
In support of their album, Burman and company opened up for bigger acts such as Kid Rock, 3 Doors Down and Creed. Two years later, when Stapp broke from Creed to pursue a solo career, goneblind was called in to back him up.
"It was really a timing thing, and it's been good for both of us," Burman said, noting that the band contributed significantly to the songs on "The Great Divide," and enjoys a fair degree of creative freedom in working with Stapp.
After finishing up a brief U.S. tour this month, the band heads down under to Australia and New Zealand, where Stapp's title track recently hit the top of the charts. In May, the band will head across the Atlantic to play venues in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK. Between tours, Burman still owns and operates two Houston night clubs (The Engine Room, and Jet Lounge) and manages an up-and-coming rock band, "Penny Royal." While admitting that the nomadic life of a rock musician isn't easy, Burman feels lucky to be able to juggle so many responsibilities.
"What's great about it is the clubs are pretty established, and I'm pretty established, so I'm able to juggle it all," Burman said. "And these things are also all related. Plus, I have a great team of people working with me."
Upon his return later this year, Burman said he hopes the band will tour the states more extensively and possibly even play a venue close to Norwich University. Although he hasn't been back to Northfield since the early 1990s, Burman said he would love to visit again and walk around the campus that set him on the path to success.
"I think, ultimately, Norwich helped me develop the ability to really follow through with what I wanted to do with my life," Burman said. "I think that pretty much sums it up."