Episode 25 – Sleater-Kinney

Taking inspiration from the Riot Grrrl Movement, Corin Tucker(vocals, guitar) and Carrie Brownstein(vocals,guitar) came together in early 1994 to form Sleater-Kinney with drummer Janet Weiss joining soon afterwards. The band has no bass player and that contributes to their defining sound - intricate guitar lines and vocal harmonies held steady by Janet’s energetic drumming. Bringing together a unique punk sound with powerful lyrics, Sleater-Kinney helped shape the underground Indie Music Movement.

While Green Day released American Idiot in 2004 which made them “Rebels With A Cause”; Slater-Kinney pioneered the very idea! Politics, Feminism, Gay Rights, Capitalism are just some of the topics Sleater-Kinney brought to the forefront through their music. And they started this way back in 1994 with the release of their self-titled debut album... Staying true to the Indie DIY spirit, the band has consciously stayed away from major record labels.

After touring non-stop for a decade and releasing 7 studio albums the band went on a hiatus while they were at the peak of their career in 2006. And now they are back with a new album –“No Cities To Love” released in 2014 with sold out tour dates throughout 2015.

What I find interesting about this band is the very special sound of two guitarists and their vocal harmonies all enveloped by tight drumming patterns. The absence of a bassist didn’t discourage them at all. They didn’t say, “Oh! We don’t have bassist; let’s sack the whole band idea.”

Contrast this with our scene in India. When I contact a bassist, the first question is, “who’s the drummer, do you have a rhythm guitarist and a keyboardist?” (As if I have a whole orchestra on speed dial) Rarely am I ever asked “what is the material that you have?” From recent jams with musicians from the local scene, I’ve learnt that individual musicians are more in demand than bands. Everyone is jumping from band to band, gig to gig and the result is nobody has time to develop a distinct sound as a band. The tragedy is, there many talented musicians here, but they are scattered because they are not together in a band which will propel them and their music... Now tell me where would Keith Richards be without the Rolling Stones? Get the picture?

Episode 24 - Why I Love My Jackson WRXT

2007

Frank Zappa once said, “If you pick up a guitar and it says - Take me, I’m yours, then that’s the one for you.”

This is exactly what happened to me when I walked into S.B Music Store on 23^rd July 9 yrs ago and bought a Jackson Warrior XT – Made in Japan. Everything about this instrument is perfect – the reasonable price, the tone and especially the jaw-dropping design with shark-fin inlays! I must admit that one of the reasons I bought it was because I thought it looked really cool. But over the years, I’ve come to appreciate my Jackson WRXT more and more and here’s why –

Tone – The first impression usually is – Whoa! This axe is meant for metal. Well, in fact, this guitar is very versatile. The Duncan Designed humbuckers, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard and the basswood body give it a very round, warm tone. A Jackson WRXT sounds more like a Gibson S.G than a Les Paul which has a characteristic treble tone

I’ve played it through a Marshall 15CD and now use a VOX AC4TV. This guitar has two personalities – run it through a tube amp with a reverb pedal and it sounds Heavenly! The tone is smooth and warm especially on the neck pick-up. And then, teaming it with a Distortion or Fuzz pedal really unleashes the monster! The most wicked sounds emerge when I play it through my Iret St.Anger Fuzz.

Design and Features – Apart from the looks, Jackson has 24 frets and so the double cutaway design is a blessing. Equipped with a Floyd Rose-double-locking tremolo system, (which was initially overwhelming) makes sure this guitar doesn’t go out of tune easily. The weight is well balanced and one can play it for long hours without breaking one’s neck.

Durability- I’ve been playing this guitar for such a long time for a few hours almost every single day... and the guitar keeps getting better and better. Finally, even though a Jackson Warrior looks very intimidating, my Jackson has been my Best Friend since High School.  It is a great honour to have a Samurai Warrior as my Best Friend!

All I’ve got to say is Jackson Banzai!

          

Episode 23 - Lessons From Preston

The latest sensation in the Indie music world is Courtney Barnett- a young guitarist-singer-songwriter from Melbourne, Australia. Know for her witty lyrics, radio-friendly tunes and energetic performances, Courtney Barnett is a perfect example of emerging in triumph.

What makes her story interesting is the fact that she comes from a suburb called Preston. Her song “Depreston” captures the ‘stranded in suburbia’ feeling as she deals with isolation. In this very depressing Preston, Courtney Barnett and her amazing group of friends consisting of musicians, artists, sound engineers, started Milk! Records in 2012.  Through her label, Barnett released two EPs in 2012 and 2013 which were re-released outside Australia as “The Double EP- A Sea of Split Peas.” This along with her recent debut album- “Sometimes I Sit And Think And Sometimes I Just Sit” has propelled Courtney Barnett from Preston to international fame.

It is an inspirational story of a talented, hardworking and an extremely determined artist who was able to rise above her circumstances. The fact that I watched her success story as it happened makes it even more compelling.

This article is not just about Courtney Barnett, it is about us. Over the years, I've come across too many people stating how our country is a dead-end for Indie musicians. I am grounded in reality and understand how difficult it is to make a living as a musician. But the fact is if you want to do something different and worthwhile, it’s a challenge anywhere in the world, whether you are in Mumbai or Melbourne. Courtney Barnett may not be earning as much money as Katy Perry or Miley Cyrus, but Barnett earns immense Respect- Respect for sticking to her guns and not compromising on her talent. She gets to play her music, tour the world and is paid for it! That sounds like a happy deal!

 So the gist is, let us not create an imaginary monster called “India” who like the Terminator wants to hunt down all indie musicians. Barnett and her team from Preston have shown that with persistence and planning, musicians can help each other achieve a bigger goal no matter what part of the world you come from. The days of playing Glastonbury and Reading are here for Indian bands. Musicians from all over the world are doing it and so can we!

Milk!Records

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwc5hQvtF3o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnWyum0ATo0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NVOawOXxSA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv-FOSJIwrU                        

                   

Episode 22 – Deap Vally

I occasionally visit second-hand book stores. The joy of finding a gem of a book or some magazines at half the price is thrilling. On one such trip to a local book store, I ended up buying an old issue of Rolling Stone Magazine. On my way home, as I flipped through the mag, I came across a brief article about Deap Vally, a Californian band that was blazing the Music Festival scene. So I made up my mind to find out more...

Lindsey Troy had been playing the local L.A circuit as a solo singer-guitarist-songwriter for several years until one fine day she decided to take a crochet class at “The Little Knittery” run by drummer Julie Edwards. Bonding over similar musical influences led to jams along with a bass player- Ashley Dzerigian. However, the bassist was too busy with sessions work and left the band. Despite this set back, “Deap Vally” a two-piece Rock duo consisting of Lindsey Troy (vocals, guitar) and Julie Edwards (drums, vocals) was formed in 2011.

The very first time I heard the band, I was bewildered! The roaring bluesy vocals, the Big Muff Fuzz-driven guitar and the dynamic drums contribute to a very LOUD sound. The lyrics are simple yet profound with themes like empowerment, feminism and self-confidence with an overall “I don’t give a damn” attitude! This is evident in their EP “Get Deap” and their hugely successful debut album “Sistrionix” which has got them headlining major festivals in USA, U.K, Finland, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Mexico, Czech Republic, Canada, Japan and Australia. 

Currently Deap Vally is busy working on their follow-up album as well as touring with Marilyn Manson...And perhaps that is why Jimmy Page has such a big smile on his face – he knows the future of Rock N Roll is safe with this younger generation of rockers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adsEE5e0PKg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWXsTaBoD7A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9IYyAqyED4

Episode 21 - Kelly Johnson And The Heavy Metal Tribe

A few weeks ago, I met veteran guitarist, Mr. Keith Viegas at Blue Frog. After the gig we had a conversation and when I told him I’d been listening to Girlschool and how much I admire Kelly Johnson, he was overjoyed and said, “You listen to Girlschool! They toured here back in 1984. I’ve met Kelly!”

Over the decades, many talented women have produced Gritty, Bold and Brilliant music. Girlschool, a British band formed in 1978 spearheaded the “New Wave of British Heavy Metal” and toured regularly with bands like Motorhead and Judas Priest. Lemmy said of Kelly Johnson, “On her best nights, she was better than Jeff Beck”

Currently, I’ve been reading “A Room of One’s Own” by Virginia Woolf. The thesis of the book is the neglect of female writers over the centuries. Woolf focuses on the need of establishing a “Literary Canon” of prominent female Literary figures. The book made me wonder about a similar need of a canon of female Rock musicians.

When we think of Rock Gods and Guitar Heroes, our minds automatically jump to Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Mick Jagger, Clapton, Hendrix, Steve Vai etc. I’ve grown up listening to these guys and I love and respect them, no doubt. But it upsets me when I realize that male rock musicians are made into Legends and idolized and on the other hand, equally talented female rock musicians have been somewhat marginalized. Everyone has heard of Santana but very few people know of Nancy Wilson, Donita Sparks or Orianthi. Moreover, there always exists a bit of sexism- sometimes blatant, sometimes covert; a patronizing attitude towards female musicians – “Oh, you’re not bad for a female guitarist.”

Well, anyway, this article is not a diatribe against male musicians. The purpose is to share information about some very super-talented women in Rock from the past and more importantly the ones who are storming the international music scene at the very moment! The point is anybody picking up a guitar, irrespective of their gender MUST know that along with Led Zep, there is Girlschool, along with Green Day, there is L7, along with Nirvana, there is Veruca Salt and Bikini Kill and Dead Sara and Deap Vally and Courtney Barnett and Joan Jett and Gretchen Wilson...

More on the subject in the next blog... Till then be sure to check these links when you are free...

- Yashashree

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYNWo93fPG8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWXsTaBoD7A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnWyum0ATo0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8s3crdh1YM

Episode 20 – St. Anger

Hello readers! My previous blog was about some really great guitar luthiers, pedal-board and amplification companies based locally and the urgent need to promote them. The reason is every musician(on a tight budget) will benefit when locally made equipment with global standards is available at affordable prices. I ended the last article on an optimistic note, hoping we could have more such entrepreneurs.

Well, on the occasion of Republic Day, I've got some good news for all patriotic rockers. I’m delighted to write about my latest prized possession – a fuzz pedal called “St.Anger” made by the young, enthusiastic engineers at Iret Guitar Enhancements, based in God’s own country- Kerala!I’d been searching for the right fuzz pedal for quite some time when two weeks ago I learnt about the St.Anger from Mr. Rethin Silvester, CEO at Iret. On visiting Iret’s website, my first reaction was, “Gosh! They make pedals here in India! I've got to try this!”

So, last Thursday my excitement knew no bounds when I received a package from Kochi. In a few minutes, I had the pedal running through a tube amp and my Jackson. And when I switched it on, a wall of heavy, weird, wicked sounds came punching through the amplifier. For the past few days, I've been experimenting with the St. Anger pedal and I’m happy to report that it sits in perfectly with other pedals on my board whilst retaining its distinct tone. I've placed the fuzz after a Dunlop Crybaby wah and it doesn't have an oscillation problem, which tends to be the case with many fuzz pedals. The St. Anger is versatile- it can be used for crunchy rhythms to muted power-chords and provides the perfect boost for soaring leads. It has given a fuller sound and more depth to my music... With three simple knobs for volume, tone and gain this little stomp-box packs a knock-out punch.

So, we have home-grown amps, guitars and pedals and may their sounds Rock the world.

Be Indian- Buy Indian! It’s been a happy Republic Day indeed

  Episode 19 -Make In India – II

I had gone to Mr. Sunil Shinde’s workshop in Charkop when he showed me this double-neck guitar he was making for Mr. Ravi Iyer. The pride of workmanship shining on his face was evident. Mr. Sunil Shinde is a glorious example of a centuries old tradition of craftsmanship. This “Make In India” craftsmanship had given India the tag of “Golden Hind.” So how did we go from Golden Hind to “Not-so Golden Hind”? Where have all the artisans gone? They haven’t vanished but the patrons have.

     Guitar giants like Fender, Gibson, PRS, Ibanez, all started with a luthier and a few technicians in a small workshop. Suppose a luthier based in Mumbai wants to mass-produce guitars in a small workshop, is the atmosphere conducive? Some major hurdles are –

•     Land rates in Mumbai are high enough to give a person a heart attack.

•     Though land rates are cheap outside Mumbai, where would one get trained guitar techs in say places like Gadchiroli or Dahanu.

•     Getting import licences means a lot of red-tapism and frustration.

     The core fact is that we can make world-class guitars right here in India. It is equally true that the music revolution in U.K, USA was triggered by the availability of superb and reasonably priced guitars and amps made by local entrepreneurs.

     However, the good news is despite all the odds there are quite a few skilled individuals who are paving the path for top-notch home grown music equipment. There is Mr.Mohamed Ansar of Calor amplifications– who makes amplifiers and cabinets. There is Mr. Krishnendu Singha of Gigtone Pedalboards, who makes pedal boards and could easily manufacture pedals and Mr. Sunil Shinde who makes S.S Custom guitars. There must be several other excellent young men and women whose genius can revive the Golden Era of India.

     Let us hope that 2015 will be a year of change as far as the Indie music industry is concerned. And may the talent of India blossom and prosper...Happy New Year!!!

- Yashashree