Power-packed numbers on stage

The finale of ‘Battle of Bands 2012’, the Reliance TimeOut annual rock music competition, couldn’t have been better. With bands from Bangalore and Kochi making it to the finals, the audience was rocked by a bunch of power-packed performances.

A total of 18 rock bands from Bangalore and Kochi participated in the competition, out of which six bands made it to the finals. All the band members, between the age group of 15 and 25 years, were excited and nervous.

The music competition struck a chord with the audience as the first band, ‘Redemption’, from Kochi, began their performance. This band played some of the all-time greatest rock numbers.

They were followed by another band from Kochi, who called themselves ‘Rockazaurus’. Clad in colourful dhotis which were teamed with black T-shirts, ‘Rockazaurus’ performed various numbers which made the crowd go crazy.

The rock bands from Bangalore were equally excited and energetic. Karan Doss, a drummer from ‘Stone of Alternate’, a Bangalore-based band, said that the competition gave them a platform to show their talent. Merely six-month-old, ‘Stone of Alternate’ is inspired by ‘Nirvana’, ‘Pink Floyd’, ‘Guns N’ Roses’ and ‘Velvet Revolver’. They performed ‘Rock You Like Hurricane’ by ‘Scorpion’ and some of their original compositions. “Our music is a blend of hard and soft rock,” informed Karan, who was confident of winning.

However, Bangalore’s own ‘Hungry’ was crowned the winner. Formed around a-year-and-a-half back, ‘Hungry’ comprises professionals as well as students. They focus on alternative funk.

“Our music is more fun than headbanging,” said Mahesh Kumar, the drummer of the band. Inspired by ‘Pearl Jam’, ‘Incubus’, ‘Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ and a Canadian band called ‘Kitchen’, this band boasts of having won almost all the college competitions in the City.

For ‘Battle of Bands’, they chose to perform their original compositions, one based on the love story of a band member. “‘Keep Your Towel On’, is all about a real love story and the problems related to it. The music does not need any pitching and has a dragged chorus,” said S Chittiappa, the band’s vocalist. ‘Hungry’ won cash prize of Rs 25,000.

The crowd’s energy was obvious. They showed their support to all the bands by hooting and shouting. The visitors to the mall couldn’t help but watch the event for some time. This was one rock band competition which Bangaloreans will remember for a while.