Bangalore!

After a really hectic week at work, and I've been desperately looking forward to this trip, I finally went to Bangalore for a Split gig! What fun.

I met Swamy first thing I reached there. Was great to see him, and laugh at / with him. Then he dropped me off to the hotel where Split was put up.
I was a bit worried about a situation where Swamy meets the Split boys. But it was funny. They liked him at once, and started making a noise straightaway. He certainly got a bit alarmed. And he didn't hang around too long, much to Mel's dismay.

After lots of sipping of random drinks floating around, and after Gary arrived (late), a few of us went to Koshy's for lunch. I had fish and chips, and beer. Perfect.
Later we got ready to go off to the venue for the gig - Unwind Center. Sound checked. Smoked up. Got smashed all over again.
Gig was good. I got a full video. Will upload it. Crowd was small. Venue was smaller. Bangalore was gorgeous. The weather was fantastic.

Mel really is crazy. He is the supreme king of insanity. He'd lived in Bangalore for 2 years earlier, so had loads of friends to hang out with, so hang out with them he did, after the show and we didn't see him and his wife until lunch time the next day. When we caught him, he was standing on Brigade road, wearing a Split T shirt with the sleeves ripped off. That gave him the look of someone on the run - from a mental hospital. And with all that funny hair and beard. Ha.

Mel was looking for his wife. Apparently she'd been right with him, and had vanished. Mel was panicky. He said, "I've been pissing her off all morning, now am shitting in my pants." And then he screamed, "SIMRAT" across the street, one of the loudest screams. It was straight out of a movie. Really funny. I love those moods of Mel.

In a minute, he stopped this guy who was walking past and said to him, dramatically pointing a finger in the chap's face, "You are the most good looking man I have ever seen." Mel's eyes were wide, and he was saying it with his unbeatable, completely honest, blunt truthfulness. He meant it.
The guy looked a bit pleased and went on walking, with a little swagger. The rest of us were laughing.

We found Sim in a few minutes (we used the phone). And went on our way to Pecos. I was walking hand-in-hand with Mel. We saw a mannequin outside a shop displaying a 2-piece swim suit. You won't believe what Mel did next. He told me, let's take her pants off. I said : Noooo! But, that was too late. He pulled down the bottoms of the mannequin. I ran off. Nigel took a photo.

Pecos was superb. It's very nice pub, three rickety stories, great music (this place is known for only playing music off cassettes), and awesome draft beer. Got some pics and a hilarious video of Split getting drunk at Pecos. It really is hilarious.

Mel was in his element.

It was a fun break, and I hope to see them boys again soon.

Mel is getting married

Met him little more than a year ago. Had heard much about him. Was eager to see him. We hit it off the first time we met. Melroy D'Mello. Mellund, as he's sometimes called, amongst other names.

Little background - ex-Xavierite. Didn't finish college. Worked at Channel [V]. Was guitarist for Split, in the old days. Then, one day, Mel got a job in Bangalore.

Worked in Bangalore for 2 years. Got smashed every single night. Played for a (very) nice band there, called Old Jungle Saying. Had a blast. Then decided he needed to come back to Bombay.

2 years after he left, Melroy was back.

I met him at the hospital. Nigel, the drummer had met with a very severe accident, broken arm and ruptured spleen, and we were all at the hospital. I was very upset. That was the first time I saw Mel.

He is very tall. Gangling. Has a purposeful stride. Confused look. Very smooth talking. Incredibly, spontaneously funny.

We soon left the hospital. And went for a drink. Toasted to Nigel.

And then nearly every evening, we'd meet at the hospital, and go for drinks. Shady bars, boy talk, Split talk. Garreth, Mel, Vishy (sometimes) and me.

Mel had ridden down to Bombay from Bangalore on his Thunderbird. Via Goa. And on his way from Goa to Bombay, he met a little abandoned puppy. Mel stuffed the little puppy, carefully, mind you, into his helmet and brought him home. He didn't think his mum would be too pleased to see the little abandoned puppy. And in a tactic of great foresight, he took the puppy home and asked mom to name him. She was distracted enough, long enough for the puppy to become a part of the household. Yea, she was the one who looked at him long and hard and said, "We will call him Brownie." Sigh.

And so, we'd go for drinks, bike rides, and then go home to get eaten up by Brownie. I've met many puppies in my long career as a vagabond. But, none have bitten me with as much vigor and persistence as young Brownie.

The first time I met Mel's parents, was at 6 in the morning. When Uncle woke up and came into the living room. Where I was asleep on the sofa. I woke up soon after and smiled politely, hoping Mel would wake up soon. He got up at noon. I'd left by then.

Mel didn't have a job for few months after he got back. I had just finished college and had a long holiday. Gary had taken 2 months off. We'd meet often, go drinking, attend gigs, and have band practice. I was declared band manager and I supervised all practices. I was the most devoted fan.

Gigs started coming. Big gigs. Big stages. New songs. Everything was awesome and so much fun.

Gary and Mel introduced me to punk. And then started a punk band, Forcefield. They're fab. We'd have superb discussions over beer and rum, about cops, rebellion, politics, music, drugs, Goa and our plans to save the world. Was nice.

But then, I had to leave Bombay and come to Hyderabad. For my first ever job at Google. I hated to go, and Mel said I sucked. He said I would be sucked into the corporate world, and become a corporate slave. I promised I only wanted to work for a year and I'd be back. I'm going back soon.

Well, anyway, I tried my hardest to go back to Bombay for every Split gig. But then, the gigs became so frequent, that I had to miss many. But I'd still go every month, and there'd always be a gig for me to catch.

Mel got me to ride a rickshaw once. When I was very drunk, and it was way, way past midnight. Mel, also, lost his brand new guitar once. When we were all very drunk. We found it the next day. We'd left it outside a bar, on the pavement.
Mel spent one night in a local police station. I don't remember what for, but it was a funny story. A few days later, he was stopped again by cops for being out late.

Cops: Where are you going?
Mel: I dunno.
Cops not pleased; Cops: Are you drunk?
Mel: Yes, and I'm also high on marijuana.
Cops little alarmed; Cops: Do you have a job?
Mel: No.
Cops: What do you do?
Mel: Nothing. (Stares rudely)
Cops: We could take you to the police station.
Mel: Ah, its OK, I was there a few days ago. Is there anything you want, or can I go home?

Mel goes home.

Split's now a big band. They've recently been selected for Channel [V] Launchpad with 15 other bands. Best band goes to Hard Rock Cafe, New York. There's so much more to say about Mel.
Especially recently, I've noticed that he is something of a legend in our small Bombay rock scene (spreading upto Delhi and down to Bangalore). When he's on stage, every one's looking to see what he's doing next. And what he's saying. It's weird, and very powerful. And its only building up.

Somewhere along the way, Mel met Simrat. Petite, very pretty Punjabi girl. Fashion designer. Mostly silent, peaceful. But also, strong enough to handle Mel.

They're getting married next week. I can hardly believe its happening so soon, but am very happy and excited. It was the sweetest wedding invite I've ever got. Via email. In a few 'Melly' words. Now, I've got to go. Still can't figure a wedding present.

Friday.

It is a beautiful day
And I'm going to Bombay.

PS: I didn't mean it to rhyme. I really am going to Bombay. And it really is a lovely day.

It was stormy yesterday, it rained a lot. Today is a fantastic blue sky, with a new fresh smell in the air. And I'm ready to go...

PPS: Split is performing in Bombay this weekend. 2 gigs.

One for Channel [V] Launchpad at Hard Rock Cafe on Saturday.
And the other at Razz Rhino, with 7 other bands. Good stuff.

PPPS: Mel wants me to do a photoshoot for him. He will then proceed to send these photos to his girlfriend's mum. He has threatened me. His future happiness lies in my hands.

PPPPS: This will also the be the first time I'm attending a Split gig with the new camera. All these months before, I've been the official photographer at all gigs, but with a tiny, small, unimpressive camera. This time, it will be different!



Photos soooon. Bye.

Split - P is for Pig

PIG SOCIETY

Pushed to the wall with vicious psychobabble
A cloud of rage that will grapple you
By the throat, by the balls, by the collar of a uniform shirt
Swing that handle
Swing that handle...

Pushed the wrong button, chose the wrong fucking channel
One more minute and we'll dismantle
And wreck this cage, this box, this rancid moving tin can
9.04 on the panel
9.04 on the panel

One more minute and something will blow
And who'll take credit for the blood that will flow?

Do they wanna grow, do they wanna go, do they wanna stop, do they wanna hit me?
I don't wanna give, I don't wanna take, I don't wanna stick close to the
Pig Society

Infinite crawl I feel my patience unravel
Can't hold on tight enough you will be gone
In a trice in a flash in half the blink of an eye
Hit the gravel
Hit the gravel


HOLY GHOST MACHINE GUN

And the Lord said
The Lord said
Yes, the Lord He speaks through me
The Lord said
To strike dead
You heathen swine who dare pass judgement on his humble servant

In the name of the father In the name of the son
I strike you down with my holy ghost machine gun

My Love Affair With Split

I've had strange tendencies. In my relations with rockstars.
During my first year in college, my boyfriend started a band: Seguey. I loved them. Not only because I loved him, but I loved the excitement of jamming, getting gigs, performing and all that.
Seguey had nowhere to practice, so I let them come to my home. They'd get guitars and amps and the drummer would practice on my electronic piano. And I'd tell my parents that this was important.
I'd print out lyrics, and note down chords, and serve tea.

Soon after I broke up with my boyfriend, Seguey dissolved. Everyone had scattered by then. There were plenty of other bands in college - Zephyr, Something Relevant. But I just knew them. I wasn't a part of the universe anymore.

Last December I met Garreth, the vocalist of a well known band called Split. I'd heard of them, and had seen them perform at Independence Rock - twice. Garreth told me about a gig coming up the next few days. I promised myself I'd go.

I did ... I saw them, and felt that great thrill that being pounded by loud live music beats always gives you. And it's even better when you know the person creating that live music.

A few days later, I met Nigel at a Christmas Eve party. He plays drums for Split. We were both drunk. I went up to him and told him I'd seen his band perform two days back and that I knew Gary. We immediately sat down on the grass and spoke.

About Garreth and how he is Nigel's God. About Split and how I'd love to attend practice. I promised I'd be as silent as the furniture. Not that they'd care about me being there, but just to be earnest.

Nigel and I danced, I thought it was funny. A few weeks later, I was at band practice and then I never missed any.

I love Split.
Garreth sings, or croons, or screams. And closes his eyes, like Jim Morrison. And goes berserk on stage.
Vishwesh plays guitar and jumps around and trips over cables on stage.
Mel plays guitar and wears a communist cap and bobs his head.
Shekar plays bass and looks as if he's performing a surgery.
Nigel hides behind the drums and complains that no-one can see him onstage.

They're immensely talented, like so many others of our young musicians.

But there's a tragedy here. Here in India, no rock band makes money. Not enough money for them to be able to just do what they do best- make music. No, they can't do it.
They all have to have jobs. And then what they want to do most gets put aside for weekends. Practice on Sunday morning? Yea. Inevitable, someone can't make it.
Gigs get cancelled often. Our entertainment industry is booming. People would pay anything to have a good time. But still no one arranges good live shows.

The rock scene, at least in Mumbai, where I come from, is dominated by Death Metal and its variations. Not that much variation of that kind of noise is possible, but yea, that's what one means by Rock Music here.

But Split is still around. They love their music too much to stop. They think and talk about the band a lot. They fight and get drunk and abuse cops. They argue about wanting to do something to the world. About a revolution. They write songs.

I've known them for 8 months. I've felt the heart-ache of the music.
I want things to change. I want more people listening to new music, music created by our musicians. I want crowds to appreciate Original Compositions. I want they to be willing to pay for this music, so that musicians can make a living from making music.
I want Split to never stop. I want them to be able to stop doing what they don't want to, but have to, and I want them to change the world.


I want them to record their first album in December.