Like we haven't had enough Indo-Pak issues already, here's the latest battle we're dying to fight, the only difference, we're celebrating our talents here instead!

Like we haven't had enough Indo-Pak issues already, here's the latest battle we're dying to fight, the only difference, we're celebrating our talents here instead!

We haven't heard of this before, at least not in this scale. Yes, we've had our battle of the bands far too many times and almost everyone who reads this and nods their head in understanding has been in a band, in school or college or jammed at their backyard garage.

I'm sure we've dissed at competition that we hated and cheered our throats sore for bands we loved, but this is still different.

In what can be considered a historical moment for us Bangaloreans, two bands representing two equally egoistic nations on our subcontinent (Us and Pakistan), have now decided to battle out their musical talents and emerge as a winner.

I was equally appalled at the idea at first and I'm sure you will be too, but further research and more reading later, I realize this might just be the best way for South India to understand the peace process we're so vigorously trying to implement.

A friend recently said that the Aman Ki Asha project seemed far too distant for the South Indian psyche and I agreed. The border after all is thousands of kilometers away. So maybe this might be the next best bet, but that's only left for us to see, experience and decide.

As a part of Red Bull's Sound Clash, a global event originating in the Netherlands, travelling through many countries including South America, Australia and South Africa, organizing several band battles a year, Pakistani popular band The Call will be pitted against Mumbai based Indian Band Something Relevant in the Bangalore leg of this battle.

A quick read through all the material I could find on the net on both bands, made me realize they were actually quite similar. Apart from the most obvious fact, that both bands have a huge fan base in the opposite sex (for reasons any picture of them would explain), they have both had several hits in the last few years.

Pakistani bands will always be exotic in India and the Sufi, naturally rustic tradition that so naturally blends with their kind of music, will always be highly pleasing to the over-trained and over-burdened Indian ear.
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What's more, these are the same guys that gave is Laree Chooti, the song we most love from Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local, a cult Bollywood hit.

Criticized sometimes for being too pop when they claim to be a rock band, the band has however managed to retain their popularity for quite some time now.

Something Relevant lives true to its name, when you understand that they enjoy playing music that's relevant to them and just them! (Read genre-less, and niche-less).
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They've often been called a jam band, and we'd like to also call them just that, as no other term would do them any less or more justice.

Famous for switching genres like dirty socks, the band loves experimenting with their musical repertoire that changes according to who plays with them and often end up giving you one helluva performance, good enough to make you want to watch them all over again.
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Fresh as hell, and oozing with energy, the band defines what music means to most modern Indians, anything that makes sense and sounds really good no wonder, they've got a fan following that swear by them wherever they go!

So here's the deal, a Bollywood topper Pakistani big-wig against a popular musical shape-shifter that we all seem to love. And that's not all of it.

The battle will feature rounds that will be followed by scorings based on crowd reactions and support and believe me when I say the rounds are FAB-U-LOUS! Need more reason to catch the performance? We sure don't! Be there or be square (as I hide my head in shame for being a cliche lover!)

At EZone, Marathahalli
On 30 January 7 pm onwards
Entry Rs 150 at the venue
Call 98868 45146