Rock is on a roll
By Asha P Nair
27th November 2010 04:43 AM
Trivandrum Rock Revolution: EPS
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rock music has come a long way since Elvis Presley. It has branched out- surf, garage, folk, blues, glam-and has acquired new forms and techniques. But those long flowing locks that dance with the drums, the energy that flows through the strings of the base guitars and the strong vocals, which sometimes go overboard- all these have remained the same. Keeping old times alive.
In this city, far way from the land of Presley or Beatles, rock is on a roll. A silent revolution is on to promote rock music, in all those forms that it exists. A dozen rock bands, mostly born on college campuses, have got together to give it a new life, as Trivandrum Rock Revolution (TRR).
The TRR is only a few months old, but their energy makes up for the lost years. They had their first joint concert at a pub in the city two months back which had the hall filled to the last seat. “It’s re-inventing the Steel,” they say.
When we caught up with them, one evening, they were filled with music which spilled out in their words. “You have performers, you have bands, you have the talent. But where is the platform? That’s what we are trying to create. A space for rock bands in this city and in Kerala,’’ says Vivian, one of the TRR members, who has his own band, Rocksault. The group invited bands from Ernakulam, Kannur and other places to perform at their first venture. “It was an experiment. But the turnout showed that there are many people interested in rock music, if only we provide them with it,” says Ashwin, who belongs to the band Purple Blood.
Vivian, with his long locks, owns the typical rock musician look, which prompted us to ask why long hair is an essential for rock. “Imagine a guy, with his hair cut and cropped, formal clothes on, without any movements on stage, singing rock music. A crowd does not expect us to look like IT professionals. Head-banging is one element that enhances stage presence, it has got to do with the attitude,” says Vivian, seconded by Harikrishnan J. “Rightly said,” says Ganesh, another member of Purple Blood.
The boys add that it’s however not easy to wear the rugged, craggy look without paying a price. “Most parents are against the look. When neighbours tell them your son looks worn-out and odd, they are sure to feel bad. We all had the same experience. But, now they know we are serious about our music,” says Ashwin. While he and Ganesh are students of SCT Pappanamcode, Harikrishnan is a student of Mohandas College of Engineering. The TRR also has E Harikrishnan who is an alumni of SCT and now an employee with Hindustan Latex. Vivian is a full-time musician.
Why is it that rock bands (mostly) have their origin in engineering colleges? “Maybe, we vent out our frustration and burden of studies through music,’’ Ganesh reasons.
The guys are unanimous when they say the city has not yet grown up to the rock culture. “In Bangalore, there are jam rooms where you can rehearse and play. It is sound proof, so you don’t have neighbours yelling to reduce the volume. There is one in Kochi, but it is yet to come in Thiruvananthapuram,’’ Ashwin says. There are cultural fests where rock music is a sure item, but often it is last in the list. “By the time we get on to the stage, it would be midnight. There won’t be listeners. The scene ought to change,’’ says Vivian.
Most of the bands are, however, striving to come up with their own compositions instead of duping the West these days. This is a positive sign, says E Harikrishnan. That a popular band based in Kochi was called to do a song in Prithviraj-starrer ‘Anwar’ tells a lot about the attention the genre is enjoying now, the boys say.
All that the TRR-army is now yearning for is recognition at the common musical programmes. “We need to bring foreign bands and outside (out of Kerala) bands so that there is more exposure for rock music here,’’ Ganesh says.
With an upcoming musical programme in December, the group aims to earn more loyal fans for the venture. More sponsors need to come, so that people like us who have music, not money, to invest can take it forward, Vivian adds.
As we winded up, it was clear why there was so much of adrenaline rush when these guys took the stage. It’s all about giving and taking in rock music. The more we respond, the more willingly they spend their energy.
Want to know more about TRR? Then log onto www.facebook.com/tvmrockrevo. Contact them at 9895089583.
ashanair@expressbuzz.com
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