Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
Riffs and rhythms
|
The second edition of Pepe Jeans JRO 2004 saw several bands at their `rocky' best
|
WITH `WEREWOLVES' on stage, the second edition of Pepe Jeans JRO 2004 takes off with a `howl.' Members of Pune-based Moonstruck take pride in calling themselves `werewolves.'
"As werewolves are on the prowl as the moon rises, we tell people that we are `Moonstruck'," says lead vocalist Lacunza Rimsu.Moonstruck does manage to give form to the hopes that its name has raised. The band blends modern rock with New Age sound and then spikes the mixture with some nifty rap. It also attempts to provide an admixture of aggressive riffs and innovative sounds, and fall only a little short of their goal. Their failing is that they are not as loud as we expect them to be. As they render Alien Ant Farm's version of "Smooth Criminal," not a few in the crowd shake their heads vigorously, "Man, they are lousing it up!"
But the werewolves soon make up for it. A couple of the compositions, "Change Your World" and "Moonwalk" generate a lot of interest. Another couple of songs, this time covers, just rock the audience. Moonstruck-teenagers swoon as the band belts out Papa Roach's "She Loves Me Not." But the band's creativity is in full display when it sews a captivating `introid,' a supplication to Lord Krishna, into Audio Slave's "Set It Off."
Next in line is LBG or Little Babooshka's Grind. This Chennai-based band comes as a whiff of fresh air, as it adamantly sticks to playing its own compositions. And quite predictably at JRO 2004, the band plays a shopping list of originals.
You speak your mind to guitarist Avnith Janakiram. "Don't you think you are overdoing it?" Pat comes the reply, "We are not interested in a crowd that comes to listen to covers of top bands. We want them to come and listen to our songs." And, they are willing to pay the price.
The truth is, the LBG members are convinced that they will ultimately touch a chord with rock aficionados in the country. As a nascent effort, they have brought out an album, which they released at the JRO 2004 concert. The album, `This Animal Is Called The Wallet', has 16 songs.
"It is based on the idea that money is a controlling factor." Many of their friends had admonished them against including 16 songs in the album. But the LBG musicians would not listen. In the middle of the concert, LBG does something absolutely unexpected. They call upon another Chennai-based band, Dreadnox, to share the stage. And, the two bands rock together till it is time for the colossal rock act of the evening — from the Delhi-based Vishnu.
Vishnu comes across as a band that has its finger firmly placed on the pulse of the country's rock
listeners. It entertains, with a captivating mix of covers and originals. It signs off in style by
letting the audience sing "Fear Of The Dark." And the crowd at Unwind Center lap up the opportunity, raising the roof.
PRINCE FREDERICK
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
|
