ZERO: Undoubtedly the most popular live band in India today. They have some amazing songs. The more popular being
PSP 12", Lucy, Ayaya and
Not My Kind of Girl. The fact that crowds want their originals rather than covers show their popularity. They have some massively good stuff like
Wish, Cry (which has, to my mind, the best guitar solo by an Indian ever) and
Mariachi.
The band shot into fame winning IIT Bombay's Mood Indigo in 2000. The lynchpin of the band was their lead guitarist,
Warren Mendonsa, who had solos like
Spitleaf and the incredible
Christmas In July. Warren has unfortunately left the band now as he has moved to New Zealand - but he continues to make waves with his brilliant solo album,
Knights in Shining Karma. In his place, Zero have the reserved but talented Niranjan Dhar. Sid Couelho is on drums, and Bobby Talwar is a superb bassist (listen to the bassline on PSP12"). Rajeev Talwar is the vocalist, a show-pony and a man who can get the crowd going like nuts. Get their music from
what me zero
THERMAL AND A QUARTER: An incredible blend of music. They were boo-ed at IITB by a crowd that wouldn't know rock music from a Bisleri bottle. Extremely tight. They slightly lack in stage presence (which is where the show-ponies that Zero are win). But original sounds, and brilliant stuff. My favourite remains
Brigade Street.
JUNKYARD GROOVE: The mainstay of Chennai rock for the last few years. Amazing live band, and great songs. Have the potential, talent and music to go places internationally. Their guitarist, Siddharth, is a Slash devout and he wears a top hat, has the same hairdo and a Les Paul. Opened for Maiden in Dubai. My favourites are
Twinkle Twinkle, Folk You, and many others.
INDUS CREED: The baaps of Indian rock. Their first album,
Rock 'n' Roll Renegade, has some tracks that will make it to the top even today. My favourites here are
Polyvinyl Lady and the title track. All songs downloadable from their website.
PARIKRAMA: Hmmm, opinion divided. Granted, they are the face of Indian rock today, and they have impressed Iron Maiden enough to ask them to open for them twice. They do brilliant covers and their own songs are good. But they've been around for ages and haven't released an album yet! And apart from
Rhythm And Blues and a few others, they really do not boast of a repertiore. No doubt, they are on an upswing now - and I hope that results in a few good albums over the next few years. Nitin Malik is a fantastic vocalist, a great person and they have an excellent lead guitarist in Sonam Sherpa and violinist.
MOTHERJANE: Good ol' Mallus
Baiju's guitaring in
Broken is brilliant - blending classical scales with western rhythm was never better done. Very progressive and will remind you of Dream Theater. Intelligent lyrics that are a stark contrast to the boyish verses of Zero.
Others: Vayu, Indian Ocean, Them Clones and many more. I love listening to these people, and there is hope that support for Indian rock will continue and grow.
ChUcK
Re: PaGaLGuY Rock Music Fans! -
19-05-2008, 04:58 PM
and its Sid Cottou..!
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