The Indian Rock scene
Hmm… talking about the rock scene in India , we have surely seen variant , outstanding , brilliant performers and artists . There are great platforms and opportunities for artists nowadays . Some of these renowned platforms are :
“The June Rock out” (by Unwind Center in Adyar,Chennai)
“GIR – The Great Indian Rock Festival”
“The PIT” (Tapan Theatre in Kalighat , for underground metal bands)
“Independence Rock Festival” (Mumbai)
“Rock in India” (Palace Grounds, Bangalore , though termed “Frock in India” after the disgraceful act of calling “Backstreet Boys”. Many Indian bands opened for Iron Maiden , Aerosmith , Megadeth before .)
“Rock Ethos” (Palace Grounds, Bangalore)
“AWAKENING” (Digboi)
And a lot more fests held by collages such as BITs , IIT , NSIT , have let to the rising and success of many bands of today .
Many say that the Indian rock scene has blossomed and is burgeoning with countless platforms for the ever multiplying bands , and yet promises more . True . Very True , as can be seen from the list of renowned platforms mentioned above , which only skims the shiny surface of musical performances in India . There are so many avenues and opportunities that await the talented musicians out there , the sort any rocker on the street would gladly give an arm and a leg for …. There is so much out there !
All that it awaits is a young horde of passionate and talented musicians …
A species that is unfortunately dwindling these days , almost to the brink of extinction !
Now really , you thought I was happy and proud of the existing Indian rock scene ?
No way !
Allow me to introduce myself .
I’m just your average guy , who’s grown up listening to the likes of Led Zep. the Beatles , the Who , The Doors , Van Halen , GnR , Poison , Damn Yankees, Judas Priest , Maiden , I could go on all day ... .. . almost lost a girl friend that way.
I love these bands more than anything else . So much , in fact , that I emptied my life savings to buy a Les Paul ! and had to move out , being shouted at by parents and neighbors for the blaring rebellious music and the tattered clothes, not to forget the numerous posters up my wall !!!
So you see , I’m just a average rocker , not one of those depressing music critics .
But I love ROCK and I love it with all my soul .
So when you see me at a metal gig in town , I’m usually NOT the one wearing a smile the width of Africa .
Confused ?
Let me explain …
Look around at the Indian bands today , the ones you would miss your meal to go watch . Tell me , honestly , would you mention any of their names in the same breadth as Led Zep ?
Strong point ?
Ok , you beg to differ ?
Let me substantiate .
Do we worship Led Zep just because they were ‘Tight’ ?
Did we like Deep Purple just because they didn’t screw up ?
Ladies and gentlemen , dudes and dudettes …… (drum roll)
It was for the MUSIC !
Come on people , being tight is the least you can expect from a band . Heck ! you’d be perfect if you practice the same thing 8 days a week . There is nothing to be proud about such a band , where in , at the end of the day , you appraise a band by complementing “they are tight” . Any performing band practicing 5 to 6 days a week have to be tight ! Musically many of these bands are absurd , and pull a blanket over their awkward and weird sounds by stating that they are experimental .
The desire to experiment for the sake of experimenting , doesn’t make for good experimental music , heck, I’d kick the next guy who hides behind the excuse of being avant garde, cos it isn’t true here.
That said, sticking to the rules and formula for songwriting doesn’t exactly produce sensational results either…
Also, most bands are quick to jump and take refuge behind the word ‘influences’.. they mention ‘influences’ , almost like excuses, so you can’t raise a finger against them , for doing so would mean raising a finger at the greats! Convenient, very convenient, but flawed, as mild introspection would reveal.. How much are these bands really influenced by the bands they state so proudly as their influences? The answer is disappointing.. not a lot.. musically at least.. and we are talking music here aren’t we…
So, now what.. how do we make good music? Without copying or without doing something radically different which doesn’t even sound good.. hmm ?
Just be yourself , music is a form of expression . Its an “ART” not an “INDUSTRY”.
Don’t be a bloody corporate sell out .
And that applies equally to us as listeners .
“Oh my god, Jitin likes that band… I must like them too!” .. “Dude, Ishani’s hot and she listens to puddy tat dolls.. I must too! If I want to be COOL.. Happening.. Noticed and talked about….”
Now would be an ideal time to reflect back at The Who...
Anyone who has heard them would understand.
But still, I will break it down.
The next time there’s a gig in town, don’t go just cos it’s ‘cool’ to go.
Don’t go just cos ‘she’ or ‘he’ is going…
Don’t be the herd of sheep the record companies and promoters and networks expect and want you to be… please... plz... don’t be a loser… =D
“The June Rock out” (by Unwind Center in Adyar,Chennai)
“GIR – The Great Indian Rock Festival”
“The PIT” (Tapan Theatre in Kalighat , for underground metal bands)
“Independence Rock Festival” (Mumbai)
“Rock in India” (Palace Grounds, Bangalore , though termed “Frock in India” after the disgraceful act of calling “Backstreet Boys”. Many Indian bands opened for Iron Maiden , Aerosmith , Megadeth before .)
“Rock Ethos” (Palace Grounds, Bangalore)
“AWAKENING” (Digboi)
And a lot more fests held by collages such as BITs , IIT , NSIT , have let to the rising and success of many bands of today .
Many say that the Indian rock scene has blossomed and is burgeoning with countless platforms for the ever multiplying bands , and yet promises more . True . Very True , as can be seen from the list of renowned platforms mentioned above , which only skims the shiny surface of musical performances in India . There are so many avenues and opportunities that await the talented musicians out there , the sort any rocker on the street would gladly give an arm and a leg for …. There is so much out there !
All that it awaits is a young horde of passionate and talented musicians …
A species that is unfortunately dwindling these days , almost to the brink of extinction !
Now really , you thought I was happy and proud of the existing Indian rock scene ?
No way !
Allow me to introduce myself .
I’m just your average guy , who’s grown up listening to the likes of Led Zep. the Beatles , the Who , The Doors , Van Halen , GnR , Poison , Damn Yankees, Judas Priest , Maiden , I could go on all day ... .. . almost lost a girl friend that way.
I love these bands more than anything else . So much , in fact , that I emptied my life savings to buy a Les Paul ! and had to move out , being shouted at by parents and neighbors for the blaring rebellious music and the tattered clothes, not to forget the numerous posters up my wall !!!
So you see , I’m just a average rocker , not one of those depressing music critics .
But I love ROCK and I love it with all my soul .
So when you see me at a metal gig in town , I’m usually NOT the one wearing a smile the width of Africa .
Confused ?
Let me explain …
Look around at the Indian bands today , the ones you would miss your meal to go watch . Tell me , honestly , would you mention any of their names in the same breadth as Led Zep ?
Strong point ?
Ok , you beg to differ ?
Let me substantiate .
Do we worship Led Zep just because they were ‘Tight’ ?
Did we like Deep Purple just because they didn’t screw up ?
Ladies and gentlemen , dudes and dudettes …… (drum roll)
It was for the MUSIC !
Come on people , being tight is the least you can expect from a band . Heck ! you’d be perfect if you practice the same thing 8 days a week . There is nothing to be proud about such a band , where in , at the end of the day , you appraise a band by complementing “they are tight” . Any performing band practicing 5 to 6 days a week have to be tight ! Musically many of these bands are absurd , and pull a blanket over their awkward and weird sounds by stating that they are experimental .
The desire to experiment for the sake of experimenting , doesn’t make for good experimental music , heck, I’d kick the next guy who hides behind the excuse of being avant garde, cos it isn’t true here.
That said, sticking to the rules and formula for songwriting doesn’t exactly produce sensational results either…
Also, most bands are quick to jump and take refuge behind the word ‘influences’.. they mention ‘influences’ , almost like excuses, so you can’t raise a finger against them , for doing so would mean raising a finger at the greats! Convenient, very convenient, but flawed, as mild introspection would reveal.. How much are these bands really influenced by the bands they state so proudly as their influences? The answer is disappointing.. not a lot.. musically at least.. and we are talking music here aren’t we…
So, now what.. how do we make good music? Without copying or without doing something radically different which doesn’t even sound good.. hmm ?
Just be yourself , music is a form of expression . Its an “ART” not an “INDUSTRY”.
Don’t be a bloody corporate sell out .
And that applies equally to us as listeners .
“Oh my god, Jitin likes that band… I must like them too!” .. “Dude, Ishani’s hot and she listens to puddy tat dolls.. I must too! If I want to be COOL.. Happening.. Noticed and talked about….”
Now would be an ideal time to reflect back at The Who...
Anyone who has heard them would understand.
But still, I will break it down.
The next time there’s a gig in town, don’t go just cos it’s ‘cool’ to go.
Don’t go just cos ‘she’ or ‘he’ is going…
Don’t be the herd of sheep the record companies and promoters and networks expect and want you to be… please... plz... don’t be a loser… =D
its so true man...a major chunk of the crowd that you see at gigs are there not for the music but just coz it seems cool to attend a gigs..
even though the rock music scene in india is improving and many bands are coming out with their original stuff and they are getting avenues to sell their stuff too but if you look at the kind of music most of them are making then its a whole different story...
having grown up listening to classic rock only a few of the local bands appeal to me.
the irony is that even the bands which classify themselves as ROCK BANDS with classic rock as their influences their music does'nt seem to reflect that.
Oh ... another one. Late read for me. You should spread your blog a bit more . So that people know . In other blogs n forums n all ...
Anyways , its TRUTH , that is what it is . About the so called "Indian Rock" , ppl hiding from their real outburst of feelings n reality,frustration imploding of who they really are(losers !)
posing themselves as the new wave of rock n metal . Sad :(