Now here’s another biggie! After Iron Maiden and Scorpions, this time it’s one of the Big Four of thrash metal – Megadeth. I came across this piece of information that they are coming to Bangalore! How cool is that! Here’s a screen grab for you!!

Gawd…I already got Goosebumps.

I was dying to share my experience of the Sepultura concert with you guys but my house-hunting expedition seems to have taken up all my time. So finally I am here…blabbering away to glory about the gig.



To be honest…Delhi is no place for an out and out metal show. The show was held in some amphitheater in Pragati Maidan. I was shocked at the tinny winny size of the venue, but the organizers seems to be quite familiar with the capital crowd who are least bothered about ‘real’ rock and metal apart from making funny faces and shouting “you ROCK man” (How Stupid). There were hardly 2000 people in the whole arena (compared to 10 times more turn out in Shillong and Bangalore). Mostly were students and North-Eastern.



Sepultura was kick ass – as expected, churning out hits after hits, starting with ‘Refuse – Resist’ and finally winding up with ‘Roots’. The new drummer (forgot his name) was goooood, but I was really expecting a drum solo at some point of time. Missed the authentic Brazilian instruments too – which the metal outfit generally include in their shows. But these petty things hardly matters and we – me and a few of fellow head bangers whom I meet up for every gig in town, made sure that had a good time. Ultimately, came out of the show with a sore neck, throat and splitting headache – SUCCESS!

Now the goof ups.

Entry was supposed to be from 4:30 and we were there religiously there at around 4. But we had to stand there till about 7:30 – way beyond the official starting time to enter the arena.

Opening band Metakix was a major fuck off. No way, are they eligible to open for a band like Sepultura. Whatever happened to all the metal bands in India? The vocalist (err…I am bad with names!) said something about little time for sound check and all that jazz. Excuses apart, as a WARM UP band, they simply failed to deliver.

The crowd had no clue what songs were being played. More than true metal head, the place seems to be filled with wannabes with a spare evening…trying hard to be cool by coming to a rock show. No matter how many times it was announced that the crowd rocked…as a part of it, I admit…that we sucked…BIG TIME.

Now some behind the scene...

There was this woman who kept on asking a ‘cool dude’ in pony why are all dressed in black? The poor soul, seem to be at loss trying to explain the association of the color Black with Metal.

Bang next to the venue, there was a marriage going on...so while coming out, Bollywood masala mixes from it was a rude shock (So much for head bang - welcome to reality!)

This one is the clincher...

Hot babe in short skirt and hooker boots, standing on the line...asks her friend "Do they play rock?"

Get ready to be thunderstruck by Shark Tooth Live Storms - the longest rock festival in India! Starting 24, October 2007 through February 08, the storm will blow over five cities - Bombay, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata and Delhi. Over 72 bands from all rock sub-genres possible performing in Pub and auditorium gigs (electric and unplugged), followed by a grand outdoor finale in Mumbai in February 08.

Event sponsored by Shark Tooth and managed by Conditions Apply - a Bombay Rock Association and An Echo collaboration.

Catch the launch gig on Oct 24 at Sports Bar 7.30 pm onwards. Bands playing - Vayu, Dream Out Loud, Something Relevant and Imaad Shah. Entry is free :)


Here is the complete schedule for all the cities...

Mumbai

24-Oct-07 Dream Out Loud, Vayu, Something Relevant, Imaad Shah
Sports Bar, Lower Parel

8-Nov-07 Tribute To The Doors: One Night Only, Sparsh
Not Just Jazz By The Bay, Churchgate

5-Dec-07 Scribe, Skincold, Infernal Wrath
Razz, Juhu

13-Dec-07 Groovelab, Aftertaste, Sliver
Bond, Mulund

23-Dec-07 Metakix, Redemption, Blackhole Theory
Marine Centre, Vashi

28-Dec-07 Junkyard Groove, The Superfuzz, Something Relevant, Lionnel Mascarenhas, The Works
St. Andrew's, Bandra

5-Jan-08 Depths, 5th Octave, Red Cube, Surface Trauma, Avial
Bond, Mulund

17-Jan-08 Split, Human Abstract, Medusa, Rainvan, Tripwire
Razz, Juhu

25-Jan-08 Unplugged: Zero, Split, Vayu, Imaad Shah
St. Andrew's, Bandra


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Delhi

22-Nov-07 Half Step Down, Level 9, Lazy River
Cafe Morrison, South Ex. II

9-Dec-07 Unplugged: Thermal And A Quarter, Them Clones, Junkyard Groove
Hamsadhwani, Pragati Maidan

14-Dec-07 The Superfuzz, Cyanide, another band
Aquifer, M-Block Mkt. GK-II

13-Jan-08 Metakix, IIIrd Sovereign, Rest In Peace
Cafe Morrison, South Ex. II

3-Feb-08 Frequency, Another Vertigo Rush, another band
Opus, Priya Complex


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pune

1-Nov-07 Retrolegendary Act, Strange Brew, Trees On Fire
Soul Avenue, ABC Farms

23-Nov-07 Half Step Down, Headrush, Unbound
Not Just Jazz By The Bay, E-Square

7-Dec-07 Junkyard Groove, Zero, Lionnel Mascarenhas
Oasis, Kothrud

13-Dec-07 Black Hole Theory, Infernal Wrath, Metakix, Drakkon
Zaha, Kothrud

21-Dec-07 Aftertaste, Silver, Sparsh, Groovelab
Not Just Jazz By The Bay, E-Square

11-Jan-08 Unplugged: Brute Force, Vayu, Split, another band
Oasis, Kothrud

7-Feb-08 Demonic Resurrection, Brute Force, Depths Of Sufferings
Zaha, Kothrud


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bangalore

4-Nov-2007 Myndsnare, Extinct Reflections, Metakix
Legends Of Rock, Koramangala

15-Nov-2007 Unplugged: Thermal And A Quarter, Caesar's Palace, Drum Circle with Roberto Narayan, Something Relevant
Alliance Francias, Vasanthanagar

30-Nov-2007 Tribute to Jimi Hendrix: Ministry Of Blues, another band
Le Rock, Off-Brigade Road

9-Dec-2007 Myndsnare, Kryptos, another band
Legends Of Rock, Koramangala

21-Dec-2007 Avial, Parousia, Pushing Tin
Le Rock, Off-Brigade Road

6-Jan-2008 Fahreheit, Inner Sanctum, Bhoomi
Legends Of Rock, Koramangala

19-Jan-2008 Myndsnare, Kryptos, Extinct Reflections, Demonic Resurrection
Guru Nanak Bhavan, Near Cantonement Station

1-Feb-2008 Caesar's Palace, Lounge Piranha
Le Rock, Off-Brigade Road


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kolkata

17-Nov-2007 Lou Majaw, Imaad Shah
Someplace Else, Park Street

24-Nov-2007 Span, Insomnia
Someplace Else, Park Street

15-Dec-2007 Cassini's Division, Jack Rabbit, another band
Princeton Club, Prince Anwar Shah Road

22-Dec-2007 Crystal And The Witches, The Supersonics
Princeton Club, Prince Anwar Shah Road

29-Dec-2007 Unplugged: Span, Cassini's Division, The Hobos
CCFC, Gurusaday Road

12-Jan-2008 The Hobos, Five Little Indians, another band
Princeton Club, Prince Anwar Shah Road

19-Jan-2008 Pink Noise, Five Little Indians
Soho

2-Feb-2008 Skinny Alley, Krosswindz, Insomnia
CCFC, Gurusaday Road

That’s what I’m talkin bout…

Its official now.

Sepultura this time…and not just in the perennial Bangalore, but in Delhi and Shillong too!!! Now that’s a start…wonder whatever happened to RHCP rumors.



Ppl…its time to grab one of those black sepultura T’s and hope they start selling tickets soon...

Update... Sepultura tickets should be available in TICKETPRO. Here's their banner that I found out



Just hope they don't burn up my wallet!

Continuing with our countdown of our Top 5 rockers who left us too soon, we are now on the final leg of our journey. The first two names on the list – Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix, were the obvious choices. The next three names that made it to our list was a closely contested one. Names like Kurt Cobain, Darrell Dimebag and the band Lynyrd Skynyrd were considered and reconsidered over and over again!

So here are the last three names that made to our Metal Bigot's list.

John Bonham: ( 31 May 1948 – 25 Sept 1980): the speed king.


Power, speed and feel for the groove – no one can do it better than John Bonham. Describing the style of John Bonham's drumming instantly conjures up visions of the thunderous power he created. One can only imagine Jimmy Page's reaction on first hearing the sound of their potential new drummer for their band, the New Yardbirds (later renamed Led Zeppelin.) At first, Bonham was reluctant to join the well-known guitarist because of a steady gig with Tim Rose. But... the rest is history...




Live performances with Led Zeppelin truly showcased his abilities during the numerous improvised jams throughout every concert with drum solos extending to half-hour at times! Imitators are usually left frustrated, since Bonham made it look so easy - not only in his playing but also in the incredible drum sound he achieved. His legendary right foot (on his bass pedal) and lightning-fast triplets were his instant trademark. Later on, he refined his style from the hard skin-bashing approach to a more delicate wrist controlled one - which produced an even more powerful and louder sound with less effort.


Randy Rhoads: (Dec 6 1959 – Mar 19 1982): the Flying V

The man who popularized Flying V guitars, brought influences of classical guitar to heavy metal – Randy Rhoads is the man behind 'take no prisoner' solos of Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. A devoted classical guitarist, Randy had an unique neo-classical metal style of playing. Ozzy Osbourne – the father of Brit heavy metal himself described Rhoads' playing as "God entering my life."

From being criticized for being dull during his stint with Quite Riot to classic hits like Crazy Train and Mr. Crowley, Randy Rhoads evolved as one of the greatest metal guitarist of all times during his association with the ex Black Sabbath frontman. So much so, Jackson Guitars had created two signature models – Jackson Randy Rhoads or Randy Rhoads pro to pay tribute to this axe wielder. But before the guitars got into production, Randy was killed in an attempt to fly past their touring bus on an aircraft to buzz his sleeping band-mates. Crazy metalheads!!!

Janis Joplin: (Jan 19 1943 – Oct 4 1970): Sweet face of Rock 'n Roll

Oh lord, wont you buy me a mercedes benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?

Her powerful and distinctive voice, outlandish dress and lifestyles, her out spokenness and sense of humour – Janis Joplin was the face of the flower generation. This American blues singer gave a new range of expression for white women in the previously male-dominated world of post-Beatles rock. Infact, the small heart tattoo on her left breast is considered as one of the seminal moment in tattoo revolution.

However, she earned a dubious reputation as speed freak, heroin user and a heavy drinker. Her penchant for a beverage named Southern Comfort was well known. Ultimately, she died of heroin overdoes in her hotel room. A tragic end to such a illustrious career.

So, thats the end of our countdown. We realize that it is impossible to include many names in this list...our sincere aplogies. If there is any suggestion...you know what to do!!!

So guys...here I am, with the next section of the Top 5 rock artists that kicked the bucket before their prime. As I had mentioned in my last blog, our selection is based on just three metal heads preferences and understanding, there is plenty of room for further debate and brainstorming. We have a whole comment section for that! However, the next person on this countdown was an unanimous decision – if you dare to differ, we can slog it out!!! (lolz)

Jimi Hendrix: (27 Nov 1942 – 18 Sept 1970) – the son of six strings





This American had an extra body part which had strings and a fret board. The way this wizard wielded his Fender Stratocaster, one is bound to regard it as an extension of his body. His hands were long enough to fret across all six strings with his thumb. So, he used to play rhythm and solo simultaneously (awesomely wicked...ain't it?). This lanky guy who slept while on duty, had little regard for regulations and showed no skill as a marksman while serving the army, turned out to be the greatest guitarist of all times

From experimenting with psychedelic sounds and blues jazz or funk based rhythms to stereophonic and phasing out effects – the master craftsman was synonymous with improvisation. From covers of popular songs like 'Hey Joe' and 'Like a Rolling Stone' to original masterpieces like Purple Haze, Foxy Lady, Voodoo Child and Angel – Jimi Hendrix always managed to give much more than anybody's expectation. During the legendary 1969's Woodstock music festival, Young Jimi delivered a historic performance that includes his version of the Star Spangled Banner – a solo improvisation which became a defining moment of the 60s.

'Only the good die young
All the evil seems to live forever'

They came...they excite us...blew away our mind...and quickly fade away to the background, leaving us high and dry, gasping for more. Rock and all its allied fields have innumerable examples of young prodigies who broke glass ceilings, ventured into new waters and have made a mark in our mind. To make a list of such young guns that burned out too quickly is a daunting task in itself; forget singling out the top five among them.

Tradaptor had his own list of favorites, so did Tyro and me! (Me being the most opinionated among them) Series of brainstorming session, heated arguments, about 20 liters of coffee and a carton of cigarettes later, we came up with what we felt should be on the top five. BTW...thanks rakatizer for your valuable inputs!

Jim Morrison: (8 Dec 1943 – 3 July 1971) – the rebel poet

A singer, song writer, film director, writer but most importantly...a poet. Jim Morrison is probably the most influential and charismatic front man of all times, inspiring innumerable singers and bands all over the world (including me!). His best known works are with the legendary band The Doors, where he handled the vocals, song writing and most of the pretty looking groupies! This man has a lot to do with the rock star image. From being surly, mysterious, scandalous to his penchant for leather pants – Jim Morrison had all the ingredients of and surely IS the Original rock star.

Controversy was Morrison's middle name. Right from inflammatory lyrics asking one to 'Kill your father and F@ck your mother' till the very end of his life – his mysterious death in Paris, Jim Morrison always had the driven the system nuts!! After all, that's what the spirit of Rock is all about...right?

Unrestricted, unbiased and brutally honest – this has been the treadmark of Rock and Metal lyrics. Hate, anger, suffering, substance abuse, war, death, the devil and sometimes, broken relationships are popular themes that have created a long list of songs appreciated by Metal heads around the world. So much so, people even tend to pick out the negative meanings of few 'innocent' rock numbers and branded them as evil. Classic example would be the controversy surrounding the Led Zeppelin's legendary masterpiece – Stairway to Heaven, which was accused of being some weird devil's song when played backwards!!! The British Hard Rock band fittingly replied the devil chant theorists that their turntable plays the tape only forward. More recently, German band Rammstein's popular track 'Du Hust' is translated as 'You Hate me' instead of the actual meaning 'You Ask me'.

Could this attitude at large possibly explain Rock or Metals or any related genre's exclusion from mainstream pop culture? The popular culture seem to be reluctant to leave the tried and tested formula of 4x4 beats and sick love or party songs in Intro-Chorus-Solo-Chorus format. Afterall, everybody in the show business is here to earn money. There's nothing wrong with that. Everyone, including me wants to get rich...filthy rich. But does that means you turn a blind eye on all the evil in the society and pretend that they don't exists?



Black Sabbath sang about 'evil mind plotting destruction and politicians using humans as pawns in chess'. How true! Yet we went ahead and term them as Sympathizer of the Devil! Why? Is it because their front-man Ozzy accidentally bite a live bat on stage or these questions made someone uncomfortable? System of a Down number 'Coupsey' was banned from airplay because its 'lyrics are controversial' WTF. All they said was that they don't trust in your self righteous suicide. I don't believe in it too. Sepultra's recent album was banned because its album cover had sensitive images of Christ. (Whatever happened to artistic freedom and all that jazz?).



I can go on like this forever and ever about all the injustice they did, and are still doing to people like us in the name of moral policing. Looking away from a problem doesn't make it go away. They remain till you don't talk and do something about it. Hiding away in plastic beats and synthesized voice is a gross misuse of a strong medium like music. Instead it should be used to inspire generations to ask questions, to speak their mind, to judge whats right and wrong on their own.

If listening to “EVIL” music makes you speak your mind...I'd say, bring it on!!
lml

Born and brought up in a place where every second person is a musician and where you'll find a band in every by-lane, my inclination toward 'western' music started right from infancy...well almost! By high school, I had a band of my own where I was the oh so kewl drummer. Not because I wanted to be a drummer, (I always wanted to be a guitarist but soon realized my just about average guitar playing skills) but because the group I hang out with had much talented guitarists and there was nobody else to keep the beat.


The addiction for Rock and all its variant took me to all parts of the country... bonding & belonging as a part of the GREAT INDIAN ROCK scene. During these expeditions, I've come across hundreds of head bangers and a$$ holes alike coming together for a rock show, to have a good time or even to kill time!!!

This post goes out for those new to the Indian scene, an humble attempt to classify the people you are likely to find in a Rock show. Sounds weird? well read on...


1. Hardcore( Metal Mentality)

This breed is easily identifiable. More than 70 percent of the crowd consists of people belonging to this category. They generally sport long locks with or without beads, very short crop or even bald but never a 'normal' haircut. Pierced ears are common, so is pierced eyebrows, lips and all other imaginable and unimaginable body parts. Black T shirts of bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Bob Marley, Slayer and a pair of really old denims (far too stereo-typed now to be rebelliously fashionable...but somehow it always does the trick.) This is not the absolute dress code but black is the more or less, the official colour.

If you look closer, the Hardcore category can be further divided into smaller groups based on parameters other than their outlook:

a.) The Wannabes (Thinking Metal): These are the types who have their own garage bands and fancy themselves on the stage in the next few years. You'll find this category either at the front to watch closely how the guys play or at the very last row, watching the tricks of the trade from a distance, nodding approvingly or lamenting how better they are but it is just the .

b.) The Metalheads (Banging Metal): They start for any Rock Show a good two hours in advance so that they can bet some quick booze before the show actually starts. Use of chemicals is not very uncommon though not widespread. This sub breed lives the life of a Rock Star, shows a great level of finesse in the art of Head Banging. Being sloshed during most of the show, they are prone to pick up a fight anytime before, after or during the show. This group is generally the most vocal and energetic part of the crowd.

c.) The Comfortably Numbs (Lost in Translation): Members of this category are big fans of Pink Floyd, Marley, The Doors and other psychedelic music. Most of them are good with words and poetry and share a common passion – Marijuana. You'll find them in circles, quickly rolling up joints so that they get just the right 'High' to enjoy music. The irony is that by the time they achieve 'Nirvana', the show is over. Every time.


2. New Kids on the Block

Bitten by the Rock bug, this section of the crowd tries to enter the heavily guarded turf of the first category. They try hard and at times too hard to be a part of the tribe. Their outfit resembles the Hardcore category but prints can vary from Britney Spears to a WWE superstar.
Skimpily dressed chicks who are with their boyfriends and who have no idea what the hell the Vocalist is screaming...err singing falls into this category. But they dress smart, looks hot and adds zing to otherwise all male shows. Thank you very much.


3. The Metal Bashers (pun intented)

This category of the group represents the attitude of our society at large. They do not last more than an hour if left alone. In the company of other members of this breed, they'll spend the whole evening criticizing the Noise (music), the Lunatics (the Hardcores) and discussing the chicks. If more in numbers, they do not shy away from shouting phrases like 'Himesh Reshmiya bajaoo' and other such nonsense. Why are they here? Reasons could be varied. Free passes and otherwise boring evening are popular excuses.


4. The Ball Breakers

This category of parasites are found not only in a Rock shows but in all walks of life. On roads, in crowded buses and all sorts of public places. Got the hint? Yeah, the a$$ holes who get a kick from rubbing themselves and their genitals against women or men. Crowded places like a rock show is their happy hunting ground.


This is it for now. I will keep you posted if I happen to discover any new breed. :)

You've to go through the fire of hell to be worthy enough of God's love. The scene was no different when I traveled around 2000 kilometers to see my Gods perform live. An orgasmic dream since my early days of head banging - Iron Maiden performing in India!!!



We're at Palace Ground at around 11 to find ourselves among metal-heads waiting there since 6 in the morning! 'Phuck, we're late' – we thought. We ran like hell to the entry when some 'ars-hole' announced, 'gates gonna be opened soon'. Between possessed Maiden fans and the unrelenting security guys, time could only crawl. 2 hours passed. I thought I'd die in the heat, sweat, smell, dust, smoke!!! My bladder was about to burst.

Finally the gates opened and the mad race was on. I was lucky enough to survive the stampede, even luckier to get to the first row! A wild evening followed that left me with a sore throat, headache, a pair of tired legs and a really painful neck from all the head banging. But when Bruce Dickinson said about 'being there at the beginning' all my pain faded away. Today when I sit down in the comfort of my room and write this piece of 'sheet', there's just one feeling in my heart – It was worth it!



Up the Irons!