Why Rock ?

A very appropriate question asked by many , of why we listen to Rock . Here is my justification :
Simple fact ,how many musicians or bands are still there compared to the Rock bands?
I take these pop musicians are there only to entertain with their antics for a short period , and by the time people get bored with them they fade into oblivion .Take the case of Michael Jackson - he was known as the King of Pop - such a big drama , where is he now . Britney Spears , know more for her extra curricular activities than her singing .There is no originality in the music they make , they are kind of props put on the stage with the actual musicians playing along . And to top it all most of the SO CALLED " LIVE " shows are not live - they just do lip sync.
If we check the rock bands , most of them who have been playing and playing for a good number of years - and playing original numbers which have been painstakingly composed by each one of the band members . The Bands are the epitome of Team Spirit which remain within each for a long time .You look at bands like Rolling Stones , Scorpions , Iron Maiden , Metallica etc. who have been giving us the drive to go on for ages .Most of the true to rock spirit Bands have not been affected by fame and money - a factor which affects your team spirit .
There is something about the roar of the Guitar , thump of the Drums and the screaming voice of the vocalist does to your soul - it is like the effect if must have had on the kids who went behind the Pied piper of Hamelin . You are totally mesmerised by the music - it makes you feel a different high altogether - a high which no other music has brought .It is a music of free expression where your guitar , drums and vocals take a life of its own instead of prescribing to the dotted line .Each one of them complements the other , and take a life on its own in certain parts of the song .The vocals do not follow the set parameters , but it can make you sit up and take notice - it gives a vent for your inner emotions, it makes you take out your aggression against the world . If we go for the History , woodstock was one of the places where Rock music got it highest exposure where the youth reacted against the Vietnam war .A place where the high pitched emotions found a vent in the Music , a type of music which blew the world with its freshness and raw power .
Thankfully , I got the privilege of getting myself initiated in the very early stages - I got exposed to Whitesnake , Yes , Scorpions thru our very own desi radio ( AIR ) and I used to make it point to tune in every day at 1330 hrs . And in the later stages got the privilege of having for a neighbor who was very much into Rock Music - and the exposure was excellant . I got initiated to Pink Floyd , U2 the Doors , LED ZEP , Iron Maiden and Deep Purple - a music which changed the whole course of my life .
But what I have realised is that , to be still involved with this type of music it requires a lot of dedication and will . People do not take time out to be associated with this kind of music - they have all kind of excuses . Sometimes I feel like the character of Joe in the Hindi Movie " Rock On ",a person who was true to himself and true to his music , whereas people around him changed .
WISH I REMAIN THIS WAY AND NO ONE / CIRCUMSTANCES MAKE ME CHANGE FROM MY TRUE CALLING .

ROCK ON !!

The Megadeth Concert - Bangalore.

Amazing concert !!!
It is amazing how as mentioned in the earlier post , the times have changed in India . I never imagined in my life that I would get a chance to see Dave Mustaine and friends perform in front of me ..yeah talking about the Rock In India concert at Bengaluru ! They were amazing , the only sad part being the sound system - it did not justify what the fans were waiting for . But what neatly power packed performance , first by Machine head and then by Megadeth . Machine head's front man really involved the crowd in the songs they played .
Except for the sound equipment part the whole show was wonderfully managed - liberal supply of booze !!(Only complaint why only whisky , yaar what happened to Rum and Vodka and lo no Beer too !!) . Security was tight though people still managed to sneak in their joints and ciggys .
Out of the Indian bands I was looking forward to the Bangalore based band " Millenium " as had been an ardent follower after they came on MTV Headbangers Ball way back in '95-'96 . The front man - Vehrnon had an amazing vocal and the sound system really was better on this stage .

Some thoughts after this show :
What point in bring these big bands if you do not have a proper sound equipment ?
If you can allow drinks inside the venue , then why stop guys from getting their own drinks from outside - better give them disposable glasses / ice cubes and a liberal dose of water / lime / coke !!
Most of the guys who come for these shows are college / school going guys who would have begged or stolen moolah to get to this show , at least you can let them enjoy by providing nominal rate food .

NOW JUST WAITING FOR METALLICA TO COME TO INDIA !! THAT WOULD BE A SHOW WORTH
DYING FOR ...

Rock Scene !!

There has been a sea change in how we Indians perceive Rock music . And especially in Delhi , the heart of North India . Once upon a time Rock Music was something which never had an audience in Delhi , I remember the first rock show I attended in Venky ( south Delhi College) Parikrama had opened the act and people were screaming for Tutak Tutak!! . Those were the days - but now with the more informed guys coming from North East it has changed a lot . Most of the premiere rock events like GIR( RSJ Sponsored) happen in the heart of the nations , with screaming headbangers having a ball !!
The best is to visit You tube for the videos of some amazing bands that are spread over all of India . Last week only , I got know about a band called Avial from Kerala , really amazing music - a very neatly and power packed list of songs .They remind me of Indian Ocean - each sound is so defined and well placed !