Rocking it right

Album: WacxArtiste: Scramble EP

March 20, 2018 04:54 pm | Updated 04:54 pm IST

Not too long ago, ‘Indian rock’ could have actually passed for a categorisation more than a regular identifier. It wasn’t just ascribed to all kinds of experimental/play-it-safe/in-between music that was produced by bands in the country, but specifically to acts such as Half Step Down, Zero, Cyanide and LBG. They were purveyors of a specific blend of funk, hard rock and classic rock that was often anthemic and high energy.

Sure, it became outdated as soon as kids discovered music more easily through the internet and then made music even more easily than before thanks to music technology, but there’s still something powerful about ‘Indian rock’. Chennai band Wacx, who are only about a couple of years into their existence, seem to fixate in the same space on their debut EP Scramble . In five tracks, the hard rock/punk band are exuberant, hook-driven and solo-shredding as they sing about everything from the daily grind (‘Rat Race’), staying strong (‘Breathe’) and finding one’s place (‘Home’).

Led by vocalist Ashwath Nair’s bellowing range, Wacx is also flavoured by bassist Jitesh James Dharmaraj’s rhythmic perfection, guitarists Brian Paiva and Vijay Krishnan being strong riffsmiths and drummer Preetham Dev Moses packing a punch throughout. It’s catchy music, no doubt, right from the hard rock, almost sinister ‘Falling Out’ and the pop-punk infused ‘Master Plan’ to the vocal hook-driven ‘Breathe’. They work with a slight blues guitar influence on ‘Trade the Sky’ and get introspective on ‘Rat Race’, which is where the riffs do sound like they’re not too far apart from each other. But then they close strong with the heavy ‘Home’, a nod in the direction of alt rock bands such as The Foo Fighters and metal act Alter Bridge.

On the one hand, it’s heartening to know there are bands like Wacx who can imbue a freshness to rock music, but then again, much of it has been done before. Some of Scramble does sound all too familiar, but their delivery and production makes just the right amount of difference.

Get the EP on wacxtheband.wixsite.com

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.