They have been around for close to a decade now and show no sign of slowing down. The grown-up men of All The Fat Children (ATFC for short) believe time is irrelevant as long as they continue to dish out the unconventional music they love playing.
The high-profile, three-piece ‘Fat Rock’ band has been pushing the lid on alternative rock since they formed in 2008. With eye-candy music and infectiously, catchy lyrics, ATFC is also known to be eccentric in their live acts with frontman Eben Johnson pulling off crazy gimmicks and even donning a nightgown with lipstick and a bindi on stage.
On what’s brewing with the band, Eben reveals an album is in the offing. “It will be released in three phases – Side A, B and C. The songs selected for the record reflect how we sound like now. We are still very much a distortion and alternative rock outfit but the moods are changing and we are going with the flow.”
The songs, he adds, also resonate with the phases they are going through right now as a band. “We are at the crossroads between thinking of another career and life choices like getting married. Our folks at home often ask if our rebel days are over and we sometimes wonder about that too.”
Eben then points out that their show, this weekend, packs a variety. “We are doing a mix of old favourites that our regular following love. There will be a new song too, which we haven’t named yet. We are doing a public show after a few months now so there are a few songs we will play that people haven’t heard before.”
Coming back to commenting on the band’s space in the scene, the open-minded vocalist is clear of his opinion. “There was a time when we wrote songs to get people to give us a listen. That’s still important but we have reached a stage where we are content and happy doing what we do. We are also prepping for the album and trying to put together a countrywide tour. We also have a couple of offers to play abroad as well.”
He continues his monologue, “The world is moving fast and whoever is the loudest on social media is king. We are consciously trying to stay on top. You’ll be surprised at what’s trending now. Earlier, popular opinion set the precedent. Today, social media has given power to everyone. Being relevant in a constantly changing world is the task we are setting for ourselves every day.”
Eben elaborates that the live band scene has evolved too. “Bands are not just competing with other bands and artistes or Bollywood nights, we have to also contend with movies, special offers, Netflix and Amazon Prime. It wasn’t this crazy five years ago. There are many options to choose from — cooking classes to crossfit — that people usually don’t have attending live gigs on top of their list anymore.”
He returns to comment on what sets ATFC apart. “A lot of people know we exist. But the band doesn’t command the die-hard following it used to. I still dance on the fact that people consider us to have the guts to do the things we have done. We get a lot of appreciation for the fact that we are the only band in the country that hasn’t had any line-up change except for one drummer seven years ago. It is unheard of across the country.”
Eben adds that the biggest compliment they have had is “when people tell us they have us on their gym playlist. That’s ironic, given our name,” he laughs.
The perfect switch
Switcheroo frontman and vocalist Austyn Goveas affirms that for the gig, “We are going to bring the house down. We are playing some new material, are groovier than ever before and are going to push it to the limit.”
The five-piece band that dabbles in experimental and alternative rock sounds is known for being a fresh breath of air in the city’s music scene. The band also claims to hold the reputation of taking the largest tour ever to be carried out in India for an artiste, spanning 13 cities with back-to-back shows throughout June 2017.
Elaborating on the new material, he says: “We are putting out an album soon. We want the crowd to get a preview of some of the new songs so that they will want to pick up our album when it is out.” The scene, Austyn adds, is perfect for Switcheroo.
All the Fat Children and Switheroo play at Fandom at Gilly’s Redefined, Koramangala, on February 2 from 9 pm onwards. Call 9606493304.
A sound map of the grooviest shows this weekend
