NESTLED in one of the tinier by-lanes off Royapettah, it wasn’t quite the largest place to host a musical gathering; Not quite the setting for a six piece act. The place was The Madras Terrace House (MTH for regulars) and the performers were Subject To Change.
They’ve always been amongst the news in acoustic circles in the city; the only stain on their slate being their erratic frequency of performances. They’d disappear for months at a stretch and just when everyone had sent for the relative back on the West Coast, they’d have a whole bunch of gigs that sounded as tight and fun as ever. Having previously played for many a year under the name On Vibrator Mode, the band has been one of the few who have managed to preserve their sound through the ages (years, anyway!) unscathed by education, the call of Kollywood and call centre timings.
Picture this, two guitarists able with progressions and slide solos (Akash and Toby) aided and abetted by the powerfully silken-throated Sistahs’ (Anjana and Anisha) an amazingly modulative Abraham and just Benny D; just Benny? Oh no, with percussion under his fingers, a harmonica and mouth organ with cupped hands and a voice that gave every singer imitating Stevie Wonder to Frank Sinatra a run for their pennies, Benny was indescribable.
Now I suppose it’s not so hard to understand why people of all ages and description crammed into that space without so much as raising a frown or uttering a sigh to the not-so-odd knocking knee or poking elbow. With a string of popular covers mixed and watered down to best exploit the six voices on offer, it took no prompting at all for the enthusiastic singers in the crowd to lend their voices in addition to their ears and many a laugh. If there’s one thing that is characteristic of the band other than their fantastic standard of music, it has to be their easy laid back humour.
There are two things that characterize the bunch; the fact that they’re Malayalis and what is always known as the MCC connection. Evident as Benny pointed out toward the latter part of the set; “Akash, Abraham and I are from MCC where the band started,” he said. Enough said. A large portion of the crowd was of the same college and Malayali, you see!
There were two songs that everyone who had watched them before were waiting for; the first-an original called Cindy, its rib-tickling Asianet version Cindy chechi and the second, their Deadly Medley. If Prince Charming’s promise not to haangy-paangy (hanky panky) with the chechi’s shoes had the crowd rolling with laughter, the medley of eighteen songs played on a single guitar riff was a singing session to match any I’ve seen in a while. Michael Jackson was a favourite with Bad, Billie Jean and Beat it finding their places in the medley. Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer and Madonna’s Frozen alongside Clapton’s Layla sounded perfect as they ended with Stairway To Heaven. True Bliss.
Even though the future is hazy with the members none the younger as the days roll by, I’d have to say that the performance standard they set still sparks of one from half a decade ago. Believe me. I’d know. I’ve been there. Here’s to many more sing-alongs, clap-alongs, hum-alongs and laugh-alongs. And I hope that isn’t subject to any change!
expresso@epmltd.com