Purple Blood
Purple Blood, a rock band from SCT College of Engineering, has achieved great heights in a short span of time. The five-member band include Ashwin Gopakumar (vocals), Aravind B Nair (guitar), Babu Vivek (guitar), Prashant (base guitar) and Sree Ganesh (drums). Their progressive metal core music deals mainly with human expressions and frustrations against the system.
They started the band by getting instruments on rent and then brought new ones with the prize money they got from various competitions. Purple Blood did their first concert at ‘Sarang 08’ of IIT Madras. Then on it has been a memorable journey for this young band. It bagged first prize in the inter- college fest ‘Ragam 09’ conducted by NIT Kozhikode and second in the inter-college fest organised by Federal Institute of Science and Technology (FISAT), Angamaly.
According to Sree Ganesh the rock scene in Kerala is having a dull time and the exposure is less. However, the group cherishes the appreciation they got from the crowd during their performance at NIT Trichy. ‘‘It was a great experience. There we got a lot of encouragement and even published an article on our band in their college magazine,’’ says Sree Ganesh. The band is now looking forward for a concert in Chennai ‘Unseen Underground Pub Fest’ which will be held later this month.
Soulburn
It was during a jamming session during college days that Vivek and Nithin thought about a band. And Soulburn was started in 2006 (the name from the track ‘Soulburn’ by a foreign band Messhugah.) Vivek (vocalist), Nithin V S(base guitar), Arun Dutt (lead guitar), Tao Issaro (drums) and Yakzon (keyboard) form the band. Their own compositions on progressive cycadelic rock give emphasise to melody.
Soulburn has taken up a number of subjects. While the song ‘Sky is Oblivious’ is an interpretation of a picture on an album cover, the song ‘3am sleep’ deals with the people who live late night. They have been among the finalists of ‘Live Wire’ conducted by IIT Mumbai, second in ‘Pegasus 09’ in the All India Rock competition held by CMC Vellore and were also finalists in ‘Campus Rock Idols’, Bangalore. Soulburn recently got an opportunity to do an opening performance for Porcupine Tree, a UK-based band in Mumbai. They are now working on four tracks to unveil their first album, under the guidance of Rex and Toni of the band Avial.
‘‘Most people now want job security and this holds them back from pursuing their dreams. No one is ready to take risk of taking music or any other art as their career. But we took that chance and are now happy to follow our passion, our band,’’ says Vivek. Soulburn does weekly performances at Uday Samudra Hotel, Kovalam.
Crimsonwood
The worm which dies to produce a crimson-coloured liquid to protect its offspring. This sacrifice inspired Rohith to name his band Crimsonwood. The band which started in 2007 has been creating ripples among rock fans in the state.
Crimsonwood was formed by Ashwin (base guitar), Mathew Roy (electric guitar), Justin (electric guitar), Sreenath (vocals) and Rohith (drums).
The uniqueness of the band is the positive impulse in their chords and lyrics aimed at communicating with audience. Their work also touch upon social issues like child abuse.
‘‘We don’t try to inject negativity in our songs as there is already so much stress and tension for everyone. So our music works on positive notes,’’ says Rohith.
Crimsonwood also adds percussion instruments to their alternative metal and heavy melody. The passion has earned them many stages and honours, like South Zone winners and finalists in ‘Campus Rock Idol’ organised by Nokia and DNA and finalist in ‘Independent Rock’ at Bangalore organised by E18 group.
They have also performed on Rosebowl channel. Their song ‘My king’ on faith has been a huge hit. ‘‘After Motherjane and Avial everyone is looking forward for more path-breaking rock bands from the state,’’ says Rohith.
Rocksault
Rocksault band members Viviyan and Co are ecstastic, as their band has been endorsed by an American energy drink company Pimpjuice, owned by world famous two-time Grammy award winning musician Nelly.
Viviyan (lead guitar), Vishnu Dethan (vocals), Rahul (base guitar), Hari Krishnan (drums) and Dileep (rhythm guitar) formed the band on getting inspired by bands like RAGE, Motherjane and Avial.
They had performed in almost all the college fests in Thiruvananthapuram and also at ‘Unwind Underground’ in Ernakulam, NIT Kozhikode and NIT Trichy.
The song ‘Moment of Clarity’ is their masterpiece and it is based on last thoughts coming through the mind of a gangster when he gets shot.
Their heavy trash metal mixed with Indian musical notes has been a different experience for audience. After getting a high profile sponsorship, Rocksault is looking forward to release albums on their own.
trivandrum@expressbuzz.com