Monarchs of anarchy

You wouldnt think that a band which has been banned from various venues in the US for urinating,vomiting,kissing and burning guitars all on stage would choose to come to a country which isnt any more tolerant of such acts.

The Black Lips hit Mumbai tomorrow,but minus the wild antics

You wouldnt think that a band which has been banned from various venues in the US for urinating,vomiting,kissing and burning guitars all on stage would choose to come to a country which isnt any more tolerant of such acts. But thats exactly what indie rockers Black Lips have done by coming to participate in the Mumbai festival by playing a gig in support of Climate Solutions Road Show.

When asked why India,guitarist/vocalist Cole Alexander replies succinctly,Because we wanted to see India.

The punk-rock band including bassist Jared Swilley,drummer Joe Bradley and another guitarist Ian St Pe performs at the Bandra Amphitheatre tomorrow. The band,which has been hailed for playing anarchic rock-n-roll,got together in 1999 when the members were still in high school. We got kicked out of school,so it was easy to go touring, says Alexander. When asked why,he matter-of-factly says,for breaking the rules. Since he doesnt elaborate,we move on to another question. How did they come up with the bands name? I had a girlfriend who had beautiful,dark lips, he says,still laconic.

Alexander really opens up when he discusses why the band lets loose its wild side on the stage. Thats a bit of a hype, he says at first,but then he continues,Theres an animal inside all of us, he explains,We call it the manimal. And its important for everyone to break the chains of civilisation and let that animal run free. Thats what we do when were performing on stage. He says that the India visit is just the first stage,where the band will introduce their music to the Indian audience. As for the future commercial release plans,he says,were still looking for the right label to release our music here. Its something were very interested in.

Pooja Pillai

Pooja Pillai is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, working with the National Editorial and Opinion section. Her work frequently explores the intersection of society, culture and technology. Editorial Focus & Expertise Pooja’s writing spans several key domains, often blending analytical commentary with cultural critique. Art & Culture: She writes extensively on cinema, books, and the evolving landscape of arts and entertainment. Technology & Society: Her work examines the human impact of the gig economy, the rise of AI in creative fields, and the cultural shifts driven by digital platforms. Food & Lifestyle: She often uses food as a lens to explore history and politics, covering everything from the origins of pantry essentials to the impact of nutrition policy. Politics: She closely tracks political developments in South and West India and provides commentary on international political transitions, including the shifting landscape of American politics. Multimedia & Podcasting Pooja is a prominent voice in the Indian Express’s digital ecosystem. She is the host of 'DeshKaal with Yogendra Yadav', weekly video podcast where she facilitates deep-dive conversations on Indian democracy, social movements, and current political affairs. Notable Recent Works Cinema & Identity: “SRK@60: Why Shah Rukh Khan is Bollywood's last, and only, superstar” – an analysis of stardom and the changing face of Indian identity Global Politics: Commentary on the Trump administration’s misguided “war on woke culture” via typography and analysis of the visual semiotics of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attire during successive visits to the White House. Art & AI: “An unequal music: AI is lowering barriers at the cost of music itself” – a critique of how technology is redefining artistic value. Professional Presence Pooja is active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where she shares her latest columns and editorial insights. Her full archive and latest updates can be found on her Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

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Monarchs of anarchy

You wouldnt think that a band which has been banned from various venues in the US for urinating,vomiting,kissing and burning guitars all on stage would choose to come to a country which isnt any more tolerant of such acts.

You wouldnt think that a band which has been banned from various venues in the US for urinating,vomiting,kissing and burning guitars all on stage would choose to come to a country which isnt any more tolerant of such acts.