Shakyrays
Made up mostly of the earlier band — Easy Street, the band was hard up in the studio for the last couple of months and the album “Tunes from the big belly” is now ready for free download. With music that is raw and edgy yet with strong melody, it's a superb offering. Guitar player Vikram says, “This album is sort of a promotional while we're already working on new material for the next one. We've already played 3 gigs in Chennai with the new material and lining up gigs in Mumbai and Bangalore.”
No Idea
Yes, the band is back and they have been going through this nostalgic trip re-visiting their older songs. Nine songs were already written before when they toured Europe and now it's just a matter of finding gaps in between everyone's non-music lives – but the band is definitely back, informs Nandita, the band's vocalist and the original member who is re-starting the band.
Grasshopper Green
The psychedelic rock band from the early 2002 has been practicing with a fair amount of discreetness for the last couple of months. They are ready to be unleashed and plans are on for concerts.
Public Issue
Tibu, Bassist and electronic musician, "We haven't jammed together for over 4 years and we have all been exposed to different kinds of music and with a lot more studio experience. So now the music is no longer just funk or just rock – it's really different and I can't really define it. So we are now practising together and to get back into that comfy vibe. The new material is no longer about some random stuff, it's about real issues like hurt we've gone through and things that need change in society — it's real public issues now! We are all writing, recording and sending it to each other and making it better. You should see something out in the public in about two months.
Touch wood
Says guitarist Arjun: “Everyone's back in India even though spread out in Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Apart from the old songs there were a couple of songs that we worked on before we took a break for studies, so it's going to be really interesting to get back to playing them and writing more. Once we have like two to three gigs lined up, then everyone will just take leave from work and get those gigs done; that's how it will work out with everyone's schedules. But it's on the cards; definite.”
Skrat
With the original drummer Tapass back from the UK, the band is ready for a renewed statement. They have been working on new material and already been invited as a headlining act for VIT, Vellore. “We're working really hard together now, and even have plans for a big concert in Chennai even as early as January!” says Sathish, the bassist.
Technicolored Soundsystems
This band is really, really new so the name itself will change, but the music is really cool. With Hande, Tapass, Sathish, and Arjun, they play like an acoustic/electro music with brand new songs from Hande.
Family Cheese
Guitarist Apurv says, “We've been playing so much over the last few months, so December has been sort of a break. January we start with IIT-Saarang and then we have plans to gig as much as possible. The album is a definite plan for next year for which we have 10 songs completed. In the cupboard, there are about 30 songs in various stages — so lots of action coming up!”
Goldfish
Just out of school and into college, but Goldfish Guitar player Surya has mature ambitions, “We've always been influenced by the music of Extreme, Mr. Big and that kind of music. It's not easy to learn and play, but we love the challenge. In January we plan to have an Extreme tribute concert and practising hard for that!”
Blues Conscience
Speaking from Goa after a gig, guitarist Aum says, “We already have about 8 songs ready to record, but we've been mostly focusing on the live scene. We have contacts from every city now except Kolkatta and are making plans for gigs through the next year.”
LBG
Aum, who also plays for LBG, reveals: “The new album has five songs ready and three being readied. The idea is not to have a soft-launch, but to make videos for each song, and to hit all the music biggies in a strong way. We already have plans lined up for gigs across the country and have already sent demo tracks of the new album to promoters. Since we have the other two albums too, the audience will be able to pick up the new album and have the choice of the older two albums too.”
Bands to watch out for too:
Grey Shack
Off the record
Franks got the Funk
