Gypsy Interview

Gypsy are a breath of fresh air in the South Asian underground music scene right now. While most bands concern themselves with the extreme end, exploring the harsher climates of the metal terrains, Gypsy take us back to the era of catchy hooks, party-singalong choruses, wild solos and general extravagance of the “glam” scene. There’s more though, Gypsy incorporate a traditional South Asian instrument – the sitar – into their sleazy sex-themed music, giving it a local touch. Listening to Gypsy is like going to a party where everyone’s wearing “foreign” clothes but drinking local booze. They’re loads of fun to listen to, and their sitar player Swarnabha Gupta is definitely a fun lad to talk to. Check out my interview with him.

 

 

 

– Hey Swarnabha. How goes it?

 

Hey Hassan! Everything’s fine..but….Such heat, much pain, need child bear to survive!

 

 

 

– Introduce Gypsy and the lineup.

 

Currently, we’re five. Shanky, the vocal powerhouse..loud as fuck! Budgie, probably one of the most hard-hitting and energetic drummers in the city. Soumya, who has a pretty subdued presence, but you can always hear his low octaves pounding you right there on your heart! Soumalya, the crazy little monster who shreds till he drops. If you dun see his amp volume cranked up to the max., understand that he ain’t in the right mood! And then, there’s me, who adds the oriental flavour and reminds people that there’s still an ounce of India left in our veins. Gypsy is the highest level of escapism ever seen by the people of India. Larger-than-life stage setups, tons of hairspray and makeup, weirdly painted instruments, flashing lights, graphic lyrics about sex and drugs, loud riffs, blazing solos, and of course, the traditional Indian touch which reflects our rich heritage…we’re everything that reality’s not. Actually, most of the people living here have a boring life. They’re always looking for security and missing out on the fun part of life. 10-5 jobs, regular haircuts, fitted formals…BLEHHHHH!! If you’re gonna live life, live it king size. Be flamboyant, be loud, don’t be afraid to be brace. We help them run away from this harsh and oppresive world, even if it is just for an evening..but trust me, they have the time of their lives at our gigs! We remind them that there’s something called having fun. That’s why we’re here!

 

 

 

– You guys are a rare breed – a band dedicated to playing 80’s hard rock/heavy metal.. with the inclusion of a sitar. What exactly drove you guys to the creative pursuit of such music?

 

All of us are big fans of acts like Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Iron Maiden, Van Halen, The Scorpions, Motley Crue, WASP, Poison, Warrant..we’ve always had a thing for the ’80s. They are not just about making kickass music, they are about putting up a HUGE show, ensuring that every single person out there in the crowd, who’ve paid for the tickets, have a fuckin’ great time! Thus, Glam Metal. The perfect amount of hard rock, the right grams of Heavy Metal blended with a cup of theatrics and an ounce of badassery! Nowadays, most of us have given into Western culture so much that we don’t remember our own traditions. Well, the sitar’s here to remind them how rich we are culturally. And I had always wanted to play heavy music with my instrument, and change the wrong notion people hold about it. It’s a VERY flexible instrument. I’ve heard people telling me “You can never play Heavy Metal on a sitar. Try playing some commercial fusion..or just stick to classical itself.” But that’s not what I wanted. I wanted to be someone like Slash, someone like Jimmy Page. Someone who’ll not just be a great musician, but someone who’ll inspire millions to take a sitar up and play it! People are afraid of classical instruments. That fear needs to be done away with. That’s what I’m trying to do. I want kids to say “You can do THAT with a sitar? COOOOOL! I wanna play one too!” rather than “A sitar’s too boring and difficult. I’d rather play a guitar” too boring and difficult. I’d rather play a guitar”

 

 

 

– You put out an EP which was pretty well recieved. Are you doing anything new anytime soon?

 

Of course. We’re writing new songs. One’s already done. It’s called Rock Your Heart. It’s in our usual setlist too nowadays. It’s one of those ’80s’ish Rock n Roll anthems! Here’s the song- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQrxpzATpI0&feature=youtu.be

 

 

 

 

 

– How does it affect the dynamics of the live sound, when having an electric sitar in the sound set-up?

 

Haha, the sitar makes our music louder, contrary to popular belief. We’re one of the loudest rock and roll bands in the city, and we ain’t compromising with our loudness for anything! So, way out? If you can’t tone the volume down, make the sitar louder! So, we got dual EMGs for my sitar! Loud enough yet? Judge it yourself folks! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIds9euMim4&feature=youtu.be Balancing is a tad bit tough though. One tiny error with the sliders and the sitar starts screamin’ like a baaaaaad bitch! So, we balance the sound really carefully, so that it minimises unwanted feedback from the sitar, at the same time preserving the dynamics.

 

 

 

– How is the metal/rock scene in Kolkata nowadays? Any local favorites?

 

It’s developing well. Much of the old-school-new-school hostility is gone, people are working together to organise gigs, the turnout’s good these days, people are ready to pay 200 bucks for a gig, they’re buying local band merch! We witnessed it with our own eyes at the Wacken Metal Battle, where we opened for German Folk Metal band Suidakra along with Djent band Noyze Akademi and Alt. Metallers Ashencore. Guys from KOSMA and Brutal Bengal headbanging together to our songs. It was a treat for us! Almost all the upcoming gigs are featuring bands from both the circuits too! That’s great in my opinion. eg: Slam-Death Metallers Evil Conscience are launching their debut EP, and guess who’re playing alongside ’em on the same bill? Noyze Akademi as well as our Brutal Death and Blackened Death brothers Purgation and Imperial Cult! Hell even we’re playing on the same lineup with veteran Metalcore band Chronic Xorn, Groove metallers Damagera and some other modern metal bands at an upcoming gig called Headbangers! So currently, we’re pretty content with the scene..but it would be great if there were more venues in Kolkata who’d allow Metal gigs. Local favourites: Rock- The High Crook (Blues Rock and Hard Rock), Das Hubris (Blues Rock and Hard Rock) Metal- Steelbird (Classic Heavy Metal), Deadbolt (Thrash Metal), Mortar (Thrash Metal), Armament (Thrash Metal), Imperial Cult (Blackened Death Metal)

 

 

 

 

 

 

– What are your expectations for the upcoming Devil’s Coven gig?

 

They’re bringin’ down some sweeeeeeeet bands! If it’s done properly, it’ll be a benchmark gig for Kolkata. Ugrakarma and Plague Throat on the same bill? Dayeeeeeem that’s one gig no one would wanna miss! (Alas, I will be missing it. I’m leaving the city on the 28th for 3 long years)

 

 

 

– Since you play Sitar and are well acquainted with classical South Asian music, who are your favorite musicians in that area of music?

 

I’ll give you my top three inspirations. 1) Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan, 2)Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan, 3) Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan. Not just because he’s my Ustaad, but also because there never was, is, or will be someone as badass as him!!! If I’m givin’ you my top 5 inspirations, I’d say 4) Ustad Vilayat Khan and 5) Pt. Ravi Shankar. Damn, I wish I could even place Ustad Rais Khansahib here. I absolutely worship him.

 

 

 

– Plan on doing a solo sitar album some day?

 

Pretty soon bro, pretty pretty soon. Stay tuned.

 

 

 

– Thanks for the time, any advice for the people reading this?

 

Listen to good music, play good music, attend all the local gigs, support the local bands (only the ones you love, of course). Dun lose yourself to the cold world out there. Remember, Rock n Roll’s gonna keep you warm forever!

 

 

 

 

 

Gypsy on Facebook

“Wasted Years” – Karachi Metal Scene 96-03 pics

I found these pictures on Facebook and I decided to post them on my webzine. I feel it’s important to preserve the heritage and history of Pakistan’s Metal scene, and expose them to people who may not have been a part of that specific era. I got into metal in 2006, and all of this happened before even I was a part of the local scene in my own city of Lahore. A lot of classic and cult Karachi acts are featured in this set of pictures – it’s definitely interesting to note how the crowds were back then and their sense of rock/metal fashion back then. All picture credits go to Hasan Shirazi.

 

 

Legendary Karachi Death Metal crew “Autopsy Gothic” slaying the audience in 2003. Random gig, couldn’t get the name of the fest. Vocalist Kamran Farooque also was with Hell Dormant for a while but now roars his ferocious growls for Karachi Butcher Clan.

 

 

Fans headbanging at a gig in 1996. 1996! This is from a gig of Fawad Balouch, who had a now-cult band called Kainath/Kosmos. According to some fans, he put out a demo tape in 96/97 and was very Morbid Angel inspired, and also had a cover of Helter Skelter. He was known for his crazy shredding and for being completely innebriated on stage.

 

 

The crowd at Karachi’s Rockfest 2001. This used to be a major yearly event in Karachi back in those days and usually drew a large crowd – as you can see. Metal bands took center-stage with rock bands during those days.

 

 

The Autopsy Gothic crew posing for a picture with some fans, at Rockfest 2001.

 

 

Another picture of Autopsy Gothic at Rockfest 2001. You can see Aneeq Zaman (currently of grindcore/hardcore band Throttle Instinct) there with the same hairstyle and look that he has in 2014. Haha. Aneeq also does artwork for local bands Multinational Corporations (Grindcore), Irritum (Funeral Doom) as well as design posters for the Hellfest event in Islamabad.

 

 

A decade ago, in Lahore, there was ONE band that had the notoriety and badass image that no other band could cultivate at that time. That band was Seth. Here’s a picture of Seth’s guitarist tuning his guitar at Rockfest 2001 in Karachi.

 

 

This man is credited to have laid the foundations for every metal band in Pakistan back in the early 90s. Dusk’s Babar Sheikh has a smoke on stage during Karachi Rockfest 2001. I’m not sure, but his band Northern Alliance was probably playing at this event. From making horrific yet progressive doom/death metal to making barbaric and bludgeoning black/thrash, Babar has always made killer music through the decades.

 

 

Random shot of some random band playing at Rockfest 2001. Couldn’t get their name, but you can see the crowd’s enjoying themselves. You actually can’t get this sort of packed audience anymore in local gigs. Must have been good times for live music.

 

 

Babar Sheikh of Northern Alliance/Dusk with some other people at Zakfest 2003. Zakfest was one of the other big festivals in Karachi during those days.

 

 

Another killer shot of the crowd from Rockfest 2001.

 

 

Ash were one of the premier hard rock/grunge bands in Karachi during the early 2000s. This is a fucking legendary picture in my opinion, of them playing at the classic Zakfest in 2003. Look at the fan crowd surfing. You don’t see that anymore at local gigs in Pakistan!

 

 

A shot of Zakfest 2003. Autopsy Gothic were ravaging the stage. I have no idea what’s going on there but I want to get up on stage and stagedive ASAP!

 

 

Another “I dont know what the hell is going on” picture, but it’s awesome as fuck! 2003, Zakfest. Autopsy Gothic

 

 

 

Hope this sent some of you guys to a nostalgia trip. I’ll be doing another feature on classic pictures of the Lahore metal scene too. If anyone has any pics they’d like to submit, send ’em over.

– Dozakhi

Blackhour Interview

 Blackhour are one of the few Pakistani metal bands to have broken out of the local scene’s limitations and instead promoted their music to metalheads worldwide. Their debut album “Age of War” was recieved to a host of great reviews and they’ve continued to hone their craft since then, playing gigs and accumulating a rabid loyal fanbase in their hometown of Islamabad/Rawalpindi. This is the first time I’m interviewing them, as a part of a short series on Paki Metal. Check out my conversation with band founder Hashim below.

 

 

 

– Hey there lads. How’s everything going?
As our manager would say, “not as much and much as all”.

 

 

 

– Can you tell us a bit about the history of the band – its formation, any lineup changes, key moments?
The band was started in 2007 by me (Hashim Mehmood). Started of like any other college band, loads of line-up changes. We literally had 4 to 5 different vocalist before TayyabRehman joined in. A few more members left and a few joined and in the end only the serious people remained in the band and the current line-up has stayed this way since the debut album in 2011. Although we now have a Co-manager, Chaudhry Ali Hassan alongside our main manager, Hassaan Ahmed.

 

 

 

– You put out “Age of War” on a now-defunct label a few years ago. From what I understand, the distribution was not good and the CD’s themselves were mostly defected – despite that, the album got a great following through your own promotional efforts and live shows. How do you feel about the whole thing now that some time has passed since?
Well, “Age of War” album really went out viral despite all the label and CD drama. The album put up a great name for Blackhour not just in the local markets but since it was released internationally also, it gave us a big boost and surely made a name out there. One thing good about our previous label was that it gave us the push we needed to get things rolling, we completed the album very quickly and we got out in the market. We experimented a lot with our sound and to a point that now we know what the BLACKHOUR sound is.
The road since then till now has been amazing and things are moving in the right direction for Blackhour. In a way it was not too bad working with a label/distributor, after all we were one of the  few heavy metal bands to come out with an album, which is pretty amazing.

 

 

 

 

 
– A key thing about Black Hour is the power of the vocals and how they compliment the music without taking over the reins completely. Clean vocals as well isn’t something you see often in local Pakistani Metal bands. What motivated you guys to give more emphasis to more traditional metal/rock elements rather than the extreme edge of things?
I personally am a song person, so I kinda listen a lot to what the singer has to say and I find it easier to understand when he isn’t screaming all the time. Hahaha
If you think about it in a way, clean vocals mixed with those metal/rock elements is the Blackhour sound.

 

 

 

– You guys tread a fine line between hard rock and heavy metal, is the future stuff gonna be more rock-ish or more metal?
The future sound will definitely by more heavy metal but we still want to experiment with some rock side of music also. What may be heavy for someone else might be soft rock for the other. Even if our songs do get translated into other genre’s, they will still remain true to the Blackhour sound.
 
– Black Hour is playing at Hellfest. What do you feel about the festival and its organizers, considering you’ve played at it before too? Are you playing any new tracks this time around?
The organizers are awesome people and mostly they are all very good friends. They know how to pull off a great show, they have been doing an amazing job since the last two festivals and the third one is going to be kickass!
Blackhour will definitely be playing new tracks again and I think we always end up playing a few new tracks with some old classics because I believe it keeps things fresh, see you don’t want to be a cabaret band or a circus band playing the same old tracks again and again. But yeah do not mistake the band for an MP3 player, there’s only so little we can memorize at one time. Hahaha

 

 

 

 

 

– How does Hellfest help the local Pakistani scene?
It’s the biggest metal festival of Pakistan. My message to all the young upcoming metal bands, If you’re a metal act then come down to Hellfest and be a part of the biggest metal concert of Pakistan. Because Hellfest gives u the opportunity and the stage you deserve \m/

 

 
– What Pakistani bands would you recommend to a foreign reader?
All good metal bands that are active in making new music, playing live and whatnot.
Well, to sound selfish I’d say people should check out Blackhour, just kidding … but really if people are to explore Pakistani metal bands, I can’t start naming all the bands because the list would go on and on. But still to any foreign reader they should check out the data base at Iron Markhor because every metal band has their unique taste to offer and they all are the reason why Pakistan’s metal scene is what it is today!

 

 

 

– 3 albums that changed your approach to music?
For me it’s, “Dance of Death” by Iron Maiden. For Tayyab its, “The sound of perserverance” by Death, for Salman its “Volume 3” by Slipknot and for Mashoo it is “Reload” and “Black” by Metallica.

 

 

 

– Thanks so much for your time. Hope to see you at Hellfest!
Thank you so much for interviewing Blackhour and see you at Hellfest 2014!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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