A better platform for fresh bands

CHENNAI: A quaint English pub isn’t quite the scene one would expect to find a death metal festival, but the Geoffrey’s pub, Radha Regent Hotel the venue, provided an intimate, friendly atmosphere that made for a great show.The wide variety of acts was sure to cater to anyone who was looking for an opportunity to check out great local talent, proving that the Chennai music circuit is alive and well.“It’s a small scene, but it’s growing,” said Siva SBK of Trojan Horse, a technical death metal band. “It’s not like there’s a lack of talent.” Unseen Underground presented JAM (Just About Music), a festival of rock, blues, jazz and metal on Saturday.“We find upcoming bands and we try to give them a chance,” said Nicky, who was the solo organiser for the show. He organised the event in an effort to help emerging bands get exposure and get into the gigging circuit.Overall, he was hoping to breathe life into what he called the “dying Chennai music scene” and offer a new venue for the showstarved bands.The festival opened with a bang that featured several succeeding metal acts that definitely would have satisfied any metalhead looking for a good show.The audience really began to respond toward the middle of Trojan Horse’s act, and a mosh pit even materialized, albeit briefly.The show was split in the middle by the folkish rock band, Jack, Johnny and the Old Monk, who played a series of original and cover tunes. Despite their completely contrasting sound, they provided a break from the screaming and distortion with their unique, stripped, folkish sound.“It’s not the ideal spot, but a gig is still a gig and the audience responded well,” says Siddharth Kumar, also known as the Old Monk. Although the night was plagued with technical difficulties, the musicians were still happy to have the opportunity to perform and commended Nicky for his solo effort. “When you have so few shows, you have to be happy with what you get,” he adds.The unique set of acts was sure to cater the tastes of almost anyone hoping to get a glimpse of the happening music scene of the city. For more information on upcoming shows, check out www.highonscore.com.