Bringing back the fuzz

Heavy beats

He has always had a visible bend towards music but it took him a while to pick up the drum sticks. Vishnu Abhishek was nine when he found himself attracted to the percussion instrument. But before that, “I wanted to learn the guitar at first. I was eight at the time and had no clue about the drums. So I went to guitar classes for two months, and when I saw the theory part, I realised it’s not my thing,” he says.

The drummer for ‘The Grim Mage’, a City-based metal band, and a sessions drummer for others, Vishnu took to drums like a fish to water. “After my stint with the guitar, I thought I’d try drums. My teacher at The Music School gave me three beats to play and was shocked when I learnt them in 10 minutes.”

With almost 12 years of drumming experience, he now plays various genres, including metal, rock, jazz, blues and pop.

He began covering Bollywood songs, he says, laughing and cringing at the thought. “The first show I performed was at the age of 12. It was for a music school band and we used to play Bollywood music. Then I picked up English music — I started with bands like Green Day, Linkin Park, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Guns ‘n Roses. I found those beats so interesting. It took time to learn this instrument but with help, I got there.”

Things got professional when he was 16 and took up graded exams. Then he decided to take a break and began some self-taught work.

“In college I joined bands and started playing at various venues. I mainly played rock at first, then came in blues and jazz. Although it seems easy, it’s the toughest, especially for a drummer. Metal is tough in terms of endurance, it gives you power. But jazz will turn your brain upside down.”

Talking about his first drum set, he says, “I think I was in 9th grade when I got my first drum kit. It changed my life. I’d practice everyday, for at least three to four hours. At first, my neighbours were annoyed by it but now they are used to it.” Vishnu adds that drums are the most essential instrument in any band.

“They are unique. No band survives without a drummer; it’s like a blank space.” In addition, drummers are also the most expensive. “Budget plays an important role for a drummer. Just the drums cost around Rs 60,000, and you can add things is all directions. So if you add up the cymbals, sticks, pedals and more, it’s a price to pay.” Right now, Vishnu plays a 12-piece kit.

While most musicians stick to one genre, Vishnu prefers to spread out his wings a bit. “I don’t have one genre I stick to, I have a passion to play, that’s all. In shows, whether you play good or bad, it doesn’t matter as long as you have fun.” Endorsed by Soultone Cymbals, he says that Buddy Rich is his inspiration. “His solos are brilliant and like a lullaby.”

Elaborating his venture into the metal scene, he says, “With ‘The Grim Mage’, we are trying to revive music of the 80s. There are so many sub-genres in metal but people don’t listen to the old ones anymore. We want to bring back that gruff, fuzzy, raw tone.”

According to Vishnu, hard work and dedication are the key to being a successful musician.
 “When you want to learn something, you have to work on bettering your skills and practice hard. Only then will you succeed.” And when he’s not jamming, he teaches kids around the City.