CHENNAI: With an emphasis on alternative approach to rock music and a soothing rhythm that describes everyday life and tonnes of humour, the Delhi-based rock band Menwhopause is in the city to promote their latest album Neon Delhi. Started in 2003 by Anup Kutty while he was still in college, Menwhopause comprised six members — Randeep Singh (vocalist and bassist), Venkatraman Taneja (synth player), Bhanu Thakur (drumer), Anup Kutty (guitarist), IP ( string instruments ) and Akshat Taneja (sound engineer). Ask the team what the secret of their longevity is, and their answer is — sex, drugs and rock n’ roll, they laugh!
After the success of their two productions Home and Easy which brought them global fame, the third album Neon Delhi marks their first one minus vocalist Sarabjit Singh Chadha. The album which started out as a soundtrack to one of Anup’s short stories quickly evolved into an album on Delhi capturing the capital’s colourful vignettes. There was no looking back for the band when they learnt that this track could be worked out into an album. With inputs from three different drummers, the album features American jazz pianist Grant Richards, Rajasthani khamancha folk trio (poet-guitarist) and poet Jeet Thayil’s spoken word.
Talking about their journey so far, he says the band has come a long way from the time they had started. “There was a time when there were no music festivals or even pub gigs for that matter. But today alternative forms of music have evolved in way that youngsters are coming in large numbers to rock shows,” he said.As they will be performing for the second time in the city, the band members say Chennai has a matured audience radiating with energy. The band had toured the US which was a big learning curve for them. Are they planning to tour again? “Talks are on with organisers and it’s in the planning stage. But we don’t want to reveal any details now,” said Taneja.
Menwhopause will perform today in Phoenix MarketCity from 7 pm onwards.
