Rocking Stage

Based on online voting,nine bands,including four from the city,have been selected to perform and represent HRC,Pune,in the finals. “It is a global platform for amateur bands who wish to make it big some day. Participating in such competitions boost the confidence of individuals as well as the band,” says Arjun Shrivatsan,keyboardist of Point Blanc,an inter-cultural hard rock band from the city. After surviving many fall outs,the band was regrouped with a six member line-up in 2011 and has been bagging many awards ever since. “We take each competition seriously,be it city-based or an international platform like this – we do not compromise on the quality of our music,” Arjun adds.

These youngsters feel that consistent practice sessions are the secret to forming a good band and retaining the line-up. “Bands are formed and suffer fall-outs every second day. Striking the right balance between music and life leads to the growth of a successful band,” says Jainam Modi,bassist of Meghdhanush,an Ahmedabad-based band which will participate in the finals. With 12 original compositions to its credit,this five-member band which specialises in Hindi,experimental pop and rock,will perform in the city on March 8 along with Swastika and Point Blanc. “Unlike Pune, Ahmedabad has lesser number of opportunities for amateur bands,” says Modi who travels 20 km everyday to practice at a farmhouse with his band members.

Bands playing alternative genres have also made it to the finals. Swastika,a four-member band which experiments with guitar sounds,has nine self compositions to its credit. “We will play three new compositions for the first time at HRC,” says Varun Singh,bassist. Life,a Mumbai-based band,which experiments with Indian alternative music,took centrestage in the first half of the finals on March 1. “Our music has no boundaries and we do not confine ourselves to any particular genre,” says M Prashant,vocalist.