Acoustic Rock Band Revives Old School

Black T-shirts with Kurt Cobain or Bob Marley impressions are a common sight among most twenty and thirty somethings; and while Cobain pioneered grunge and Marley stood for reggae, these goatie sporting masses have mostly demostrated a greater inclination towards heavy metal, goth or diabolique rock! So when a bunch of Yuppies from Bangalore calling themselves an 'acoustic rock band' divulged a magnetic leaning towards retro and classics, it came as nothing but a pleasant surprise.

The event on June 23 called for one of the hottest bands in Bangalore - Eastern Fare performing at one of the hottest venues of the city - Kyra Theater. The gig took off with Faheeda hitting some meticulous notes with covers of Animal Instinct by Cranberries and Bring me some water by Melissa Etherridge. Numbers like Sweet Child of Mine by GNR and I'll Cry For You by Europe had the audience tapping their feet and singing along. Her successor vocalist Sidhart Tanti shortly took over and had the spectators grooving to retro numbers like Have you ever seen the rain by CCR, Wine Women and Song by White Snake and Time by Pink Floyd. The band's acoustic take on classics like Plush by Stone Temple Pilots and Light My Fire by Doors as well as the original score Least Liked Best truly established them as an acoustic rock band of highest mettle. The mesmeric ambience, acoutics as well as the fine wine and dine experience at Kyra Theater (Bangalore's only Theater cum Restaurant) was certainly an added bonus to this musical journey.

With noted Assamese musician Jim Ankan on the lead guitar, Suchin Ravi on rhythm, Sharan on the drums, Anand PM on Bass and keys, the band delivered a virtuoso performance. Bangalore's pub culture had always showed a strong inclination towards old school music, and with bands like Eastern Fare striving towards the revival of good old rock culture, one can definitely expect some real good music around!