They are a mix of varied influences, choices and styles, but members of Bandish are bound by a common thread -- their reverence for music

They are a mix of varied influences, choices and styles, but members of Bandish are bound by a common thread -- their reverence for music

Rolling stones gather no moss but some nomadic musicians snowball into a musical avalanche with time. Bandish, the Indi-rock band, which came into life when the pulsating limbs of previous groups drifted together, is planning to brew up a storm with their second album Bandish. We get them talking about the album, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and how female fans any day are better than Bollywood babes.
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Bandish comprises members who are the wanderers of the Indian music scene; with a long list of former bands they were part of once on their resume. But like J.R.R. Tolkien said, 'not all those who wander are lost'. And for the time being, they seem to have found solace in the band. "Bandish has given me the satisfaction I always craved for," says Chris Powell, the drummer, who always wanted to form a group that would give artistes their due. Thus, were roped in elder brother Desmond (who formed Nirvana in 1985, followed by True Colours) and other members like Ulrich Sebastian N. Gomes (Young Hearts, Hysteria, Sound Vibes and Tantrix), Rohit Kumar (Indian percussions), Deepak Nair (vocals), Adil Manuel (guitars) and Brennon Denfer (bass).

Now Bandish, releasing on July 15 in Delhi, (Kaise Kahoon was their first) is a salute to the true musical spirit they have always strived to nurture. "The album has crunchy guitars and lilting vocals lending it a hard rock sound," says Chris Powell, the percussionist who started enthralling fans with his natural style of drumming with Nirvana and then Euphoria for several years. "There's a track called Tere bin to which KK lent his voice. It's a side of him one hasn't seen before. Instead of the romantic crooner, this time he dons the mantle of a hardcore rock star," he adds.u00a0

Then they have incorporated the services of another magician, Pete Lockett. The versatile English percussionist has earlier lent his drumming skills to the likes of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Amy Winehouse, AR Rahman, Farida Khanum and a host of others. This time, he shows off his prowess by plunging into Hindustani classical yet again. "It's great to see a Westerner with so much knowledge about something so traditionally Indian," says keyboard player Gomes.

The third coup is Krishna, an upcoming artist who has paid tribute to music maestro Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with the song Dama Dum Mast Qalandar. "We have given a rock-ish touch to it. Die-hard Sufi music followers might have a different opinion, but then everybody has their own opinion," says Desmond Powell, the guitarist who we are thankful didn't end up as a mechanical engineer.

While fans are yet to find out if Bandish delivers the punch, the band promises an album without all unnecessary frills. "We were given the option of featuring short skirt-clad Bollywood actresses for our video album but we chose Lockett over them. They don't make sense to us. We have our female fans for the oomph
factor," says Chris.

All we can add to that isu00a0-- turn up the bass boys!

Bandish
Launching in Delhi on: July 15
Price: Rs 150
At: All leading music stores