This platform for upcoming bands in Chennai known as Unseen Underground, is mostly known for its crowd and chaotic mosh pits. But this past Sunday at Geoffrey's (in Unseen Underground J.A.M.-XIII) was all about quality music and quality musicians.
Pleasant surprise
Originally, the line up was three bands. But as I entered the place, I came upon a familiar face. It was ex-Armour Of God frontman Gene and his brother Peter, who were helping the bands that night with their sounds.
They jammed on some random tunes which were a blast from the past reminding us the good ol' Armour Of God days. And boy, I gotta say, they're pretty tight.
The first band that performed was Chennai's new comer band Wild Things Federation (WTF). Three college guys, taking it easy, having a good time and putting up a good gig. They play a Hard Rock type-deal genre and making it a cocktail chaat mix of other genres as well. Frontman Abhimanyu, bassist Govind and drummer Venkat played originals of theirs titled Breakthrough , Don't Forget , All I Care , Ten Shots High , Hangover Babe and Love To Be Wild .
Like I always say, or in this case, write; most of what goes on at Unseen Underground, doesn't happen more than once. You miss it, you miss it good. The second band up to play was Duality from Chennai, with music as pure as it can be. Two guys, two guitars, two voices and one massive setlist.
Even the most brutal and monstrous metalhead would meltdown, soften up, chill out completely and listen, enjoy and bob his head to what they play. Mihir and Manoj, the duet, play what they call Acoustic Rock.
Their originals were Duality , Girl , The First Born , Stranger and Crusader . And they covered Nothing Else Matters by Metallica, Wasting Love by Iron Maiden, Mad World by Tears For Fears, I Feel You by Depeche Mode , With Or Without You by U2 and Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi.
Fitting finale
Last to perform was Chennai's very own Liquid Measure, this time with a slight modified line up that being the new guitarist Shri from Blind Image now teaming up with them to bring balance to their circle of force.
Vocalist David, guitarists Shri and Vijay, bassist Manoj and drummer Ricky played their originals titled Can You Handle This (which is a tribute to Chennai's renowned bassist Handel Jim, who passed away last year) and Shadow Of Doubt .
They had also covered POD's Boom , Drowning Pool's Bodies , Faith No More's Midlife Crisis and Bush's Machinehead . David, as always, gave the audience a laugh with his quick-witted humour.
Asif Ahmed is a vocalist of a Chennai-based metal band and B.Com final year student of The New College.
