CHENNAI: Is it asking for too much, to want the level of music played at a big rock concert, but to be able to connect with the musicians at a more personal level at the same time? Well, the answer would usually just be eye rolling, but Chennai-based rock and roll band Grey Shack seems to think, sure, why not? It might be stretching it a little to say that the band gave that and more when they performed at Star Rock on Friday as part of Score Nights, a series of concerts, but it definitely won’t hurt to say that their performance falls somewhere in between the that and more area. In their two-hour or so performance, it was not only refreshing to see a band that was willing to step outside the ‘covers only’ zone, but it was also great to see that lead vocalist Rohan Sen had finally managed to learn a few new dance moves! Hands down, the song of the evening was One night stand. As Rohan sang, and even whimpered a bit later on, complete with a catch in his voice, about an ex girlfriend, the rest of his band sympathised with him. Musically, of course. Madhav Ravindranath on the bass and Vikram Vivekanand on the guitars and occasionally vocals, strummed their saddest notes. Vinay Ramakrishnan seemed like he couldn’t care less, as he took on his drums set and brought the house down. Most people who did make it to the concert were friends of the band and the few who stuck to their bar stools in the corner of the pub did not pay too much attention to the music, save for the intermittent inebriated head bang. But when the band began playing the opening strains of Gonzo, their first ever single, which is based on the character from the movie Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, a few bar stools began emptying and the area around the band began getting a little too cramped for comfort. Well, the band definitely didn’t seem like they were complaining. Energised with all the sudden extra pairs of eyes on them, they played one of the best versions of their own songs, if that’s even possible. Post-gig rumour has it that the song lasted 8.05 minutes! In all probability, it did, considering the solo time each musician generously took for himself. Madhav, Vikram and Vinay, take a bow. Must mentions are Dirty City, the Biker Song (dedicated to all bikers, one of the musicians crooned), Fire and Step Outside. The band also pelted out cover after cover, and we’re sure they have made Hendrix and the rest of them amply proud! And at the risk of sounding too much like Rohan, the band has earned itself a well-deserved shabaash!
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