1st September 2007 is a memorable day in my life. The first ever show by my band "PANDEMONIUM". What an awesome day !!!
After an intense jam for over 5 days, we were all set for our journey to JIPMER, Puduchery. Anirudh Menon had given me call earlier that month asking me if I was interested in an audition. I said, " Yeah.. cool ". So, we met up on 20 August in Hudstin's place. Now... I really didn't know what to play. Anirudh starts playing some riffs and soon I joined in. The first song was ready in 15 mins flat !! LOL
On 1st morning, Anirudh Menon a.k.a Appu( guitarist n Vox) came over to my place by 8am. We head for Ayyappan temple next to my home. The agnostic Sid had died sometime back and hence the temple scene. When and why the agnostic streak in me died, I'll save it for some other time :-)
With all the equipment ( guitars and pedals ... no no.. not cycle pedals :-p), we make it Koyembedu Bus Terminus. Meet up with Hudstin a.k.a Hudy ( drummer) and John a.k.a Johnny boy a.k.a Donkey balls :-D. Board the local bus by 9 am and pretty much sleep during the rickety ride in the TNSRTC Bus.
The bus ride was back breaking. For some reason, the bus driver won't cross 60 kph limit. Gah !!! Just what we needed. We finally reach Puducherry (Pondycherry then ) and head straight to JIPMER. Electrifying atmosphere !! We reach the area where the Western Electrics were supposed to happen. We quickly go the registration desk to get registered.
After an intense jam for over 5 days, we were all set for our journey to JIPMER, Puduchery. Anirudh Menon had given me call earlier that month asking me if I was interested in an audition. I said, " Yeah.. cool ". So, we met up on 20 August in Hudstin's place. Now... I really didn't know what to play. Anirudh starts playing some riffs and soon I joined in. The first song was ready in 15 mins flat !! LOL
On 1st morning, Anirudh Menon a.k.a Appu( guitarist n Vox) came over to my place by 8am. We head for Ayyappan temple next to my home. The agnostic Sid had died sometime back and hence the temple scene. When and why the agnostic streak in me died, I'll save it for some other time :-)
With all the equipment ( guitars and pedals ... no no.. not cycle pedals :-p), we make it Koyembedu Bus Terminus. Meet up with Hudstin a.k.a Hudy ( drummer) and John a.k.a Johnny boy a.k.a Donkey balls :-D. Board the local bus by 9 am and pretty much sleep during the rickety ride in the TNSRTC Bus.
The bus ride was back breaking. For some reason, the bus driver won't cross 60 kph limit. Gah !!! Just what we needed. We finally reach Puducherry (Pondycherry then ) and head straight to JIPMER. Electrifying atmosphere !! We reach the area where the Western Electrics were supposed to happen. We quickly go the registration desk to get registered.
Until this point of time, we had never thought about a band name. The girl at the reception barks. " BAND NAME ?" Appu and Hudy give me blank expressions. They are like, " you better come up with a band name." After precisely 10 seconds of quick flashes in the head, I say "Pandemonium". Hell yeah.. So Pandemonium it was \m/ .We draw chits and we got number 12. Don't know if that meant 12th band on stage coz if someone didn't pick numbers in between, we could technically be the first band on stage !!!
Registration done and we decide to grab a snack and put some drinks. Took us a while to find a place to hang out since most of the shops were closed for some reason. In a while, we got talking about music and women. Two hot topics when guys are drinking.
Tanks filled... now it was time to hit the stage. At this point of time, I must admit, the whole occasion scared me. The platform is one of the most prestigious after IIT Saarang. Lots of bands, who made a name for themselves in the Indian Rock scene, started their journey here on this stage.
The bands start going on stage. Amazing sound on stage and P.A. Finally, it was our turn. I plug my bass into the amp. The light on stage suddenly dimmed and we start our sound check with BLIND ( KoRn). Passive crowd in front of stage didn't affect our enthusiasm. Pandemonium was on stage for some fun.
We play two own comps - Distress Freeway and the other song. Why is it named " The other song"... I don't know. Maybe Mr Menon has an answer.As we finish the second song, the PA had been cut. We get off stage all pumped up. Hudy struggles with his double bass pedals. Everyone is tired and exhausted.
By now, we were broke with just enough money to get back to Madras. The show gets over at about 2 am. All of us are eagerly waiting for the results. Best drummer, best guitarist... yada yada ... then they announce.... Best Bassist... SIDDARTH HARSHA
With all due respect to other musicians present that day, I wasn't really surprised when the results were announced. My job was to keep it simple and tight. That day, there were bass guitarists who slapped, popped, tapped on their bass guitars and jumped on stage like possessed kangaroos. I just did my job and it feels good that the judges understood this fact :-)
We go and collect my prize money and certificates. Rs 500 was the cash prize. This was used to get a copy of the whole show on a DVD which was 300 bucks ( JIPMER are good businessmen for sure !! ) and the rest 200 bucks was used to sponsor food and beverages.
The trip back home was quite hazy since I couldn't sleep. There was a TIME MOCKCAT waiting for me as well.
On the whole, a memorable trip thanks to Appu, Hudy and John ( macha.. you're d DUDE :P )
Registration done and we decide to grab a snack and put some drinks. Took us a while to find a place to hang out since most of the shops were closed for some reason. In a while, we got talking about music and women. Two hot topics when guys are drinking.
Tanks filled... now it was time to hit the stage. At this point of time, I must admit, the whole occasion scared me. The platform is one of the most prestigious after IIT Saarang. Lots of bands, who made a name for themselves in the Indian Rock scene, started their journey here on this stage.
The bands start going on stage. Amazing sound on stage and P.A. Finally, it was our turn. I plug my bass into the amp. The light on stage suddenly dimmed and we start our sound check with BLIND ( KoRn). Passive crowd in front of stage didn't affect our enthusiasm. Pandemonium was on stage for some fun.
We play two own comps - Distress Freeway and the other song. Why is it named " The other song"... I don't know. Maybe Mr Menon has an answer.As we finish the second song, the PA had been cut. We get off stage all pumped up. Hudy struggles with his double bass pedals. Everyone is tired and exhausted.
By now, we were broke with just enough money to get back to Madras. The show gets over at about 2 am. All of us are eagerly waiting for the results. Best drummer, best guitarist... yada yada ... then they announce.... Best Bassist... SIDDARTH HARSHA
With all due respect to other musicians present that day, I wasn't really surprised when the results were announced. My job was to keep it simple and tight. That day, there were bass guitarists who slapped, popped, tapped on their bass guitars and jumped on stage like possessed kangaroos. I just did my job and it feels good that the judges understood this fact :-)
We go and collect my prize money and certificates. Rs 500 was the cash prize. This was used to get a copy of the whole show on a DVD which was 300 bucks ( JIPMER are good businessmen for sure !! ) and the rest 200 bucks was used to sponsor food and beverages.
The trip back home was quite hazy since I couldn't sleep. There was a TIME MOCKCAT waiting for me as well.
On the whole, a memorable trip thanks to Appu, Hudy and John ( macha.. you're d DUDE :P )
