Girl Power

Standing at 5’10’’,with a lean physique and a very unconventional singing style,Manchanda stood out in the girl band that predictably sank without a trace,thanks to friction between the members. “It’s unfortunate we couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity,” says Manchanda,24. “We folded up before making any significant music.”

She managed to stay on the fringes of the music scene and was in the reckoning again after singing the title track for Golmaal in 2005. Other playback assignments in projects like Cash and Chandni Chowk To China followed. “After the band disintegrated,I jotted down a list of things I could do like modelling,writing,jockeying and playback. Luckily I got a break somewhere,” she explains. But Manchanda says that only now is she doing what she really wants to do: be part of a rock band.

Earlier this year,Manchanda along with a group of Mumbai-based rockers agreed to an impromptu gig at a restaurant. “My friend convinced me to sing a few tracks I had composed. I agreed since I had nothing to lose,” she explains. That performance got them other gigs,and so was born Shkabang,comprising musicians from bands like Pentagram,Bombay Black,Tough on Tobacco and Hypnotribe,that was formed in June,with an electro,rock-pop feel to its songs. Manchanda is the sole female vocalist in the band.

Her playback career,meanwhile,will also continue with 15 movie projects slotted for release this year. Manchanda is busy rehearsing for their live launch performance at Blue Frog,Mumbai,on August 20. “We want to be able to sustain ourselves on stage for two hours at least,” she says. As long as Shkabang doesn’t go the Viva way.