Split Wide Open
Old Monks: Mujhe Daru Chahiye!
Split Magazine caught up with Amey, vocalist of Old Monks, one of Bombay’s newer rock talents, for an exclusive interview about their recently-released EP, and their rise to fame so far.
When? How? Who? Where?
Old Monks was formed in October 2004. I wanted to form a classic rock band with people who shared the same interests and liked the same bands that I did (AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Pink Floyd, etc.). I met Riju, our bass guitarist, and we started jamming with a guitarist named Shiva and an old friend of mine, Melvyn, on drums. Shiva couldn’t really keep up with the pace of the band, so we had to boot him. We got Bipin (now in Colossus) to play with us for a while — he was quite a good guitarist. I used to share the guitar parts with Bipin, in addition to singing.
After a while, we found our current guitarist Jared through an ad we had placed for a blues guitarist — which left me free to do just the vocals. Later, Bipin had to leave the band due to some ‘odd’ reasons, and Melvyn left soon after him, to play with his band in Goa.
Our current drummer Amol was initially hired on a temporary basis, but he turned out to be quite good in just a few practice sessions. So, since then, it’s been me and Riju (founding members), along with Amol and Jared who constitute the line up of Old Monks. It’s been a year now that we’ve had this line up.
When and what was your first gig like?
Our first show was at Razz in November 2004 — it was okay-ish. We performed in Razz twice after that, before it was shut down. We were also regulars at the Aura hotel in Powai — but that was with the old line up (with Bipin and Melvyn). With the current line up, we’ve played at college competitions, Campus Rock Idols and many other gigs.
Which is the best gig you have played at so far?
That would be at the Bombay finals of the Campus Rock Idols at MMRDA Grounds. ‘Whole Lotta Rock’ was great too.
Can you name a few bands/musicians that have been major influences to you as a musician?
As a singer, I’ve been inspired by Bon Scott and Robert Plant. Our music has also been influenced by other classic rock greats such as Muddy Waters, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Judas Priest and Deep Purple.
Which Indian bands/musicians do you like/respect?
I like Gary Lawyer, Zero (for their originality) and VAYU.
You have just released a demo CD, recorded at Demonic Studios? What was that like?
We have played these two songs (from the demo CD) in many shows — it was bout time that we promoted ‘em. So, we planned on doing an inexpensive recording, which actually turned out to be pretty good, all thanks to Sahil. It was my first experience in a proper studio. My vocals were done in Farhad Wadia’s studio, and the other instruments were recorded at Sahil’s home studio. It was a good experience.
What is the biggest difficulty you have faced so far as a band?
Performing, response (to our music), money, recording — everything.
What do you think of the current rock scene in Bombay? Is it responsive to new or different music, or is the cover mentality still strong?
The current rock scene in Bombay… all I can say is that it’s growing. But there should be more ways to promote original music by local bands.
Such as?
A record label logo on our CD covers for one. I wonder if Old Monk (the rum) would sponsor our music. (Laughs)
(Laughs) Probably, your band name’s a tribute to them.
Yeah, a tribute to alcohol. Drinking rocks!
What has the response to your demo been like?
[The response has been] very good so far. It’s good to know that a few people like us in the scene, even though we are an upcoming band. No sense in looking for profits right now. We just sold out our first lot of 30 CDs in just one show. Now, we will press the second lot of about 75 CDs.
How do you go about composing new songs?
Most of our originals come up while practising. We don’t sit and compose riffs; they come up while practising or jamming. Then I sit, listen to them and feed my lyrics.
Please talk the readers through the two songs on your demo CD.
Rock ‘n’ Then Roll: “Rock ‘n’ Then Roll” is a fun song. It’s about rock and then roll (roll a joint, a reference to drugs).
Mujhe Daru Chahiye: “Mujhe Daru Chahiye” is a song that’s very close to our hearts and livers! (Laughs) ‘Mujhe Daru Chahiye’ was the line I used as my forum signature a few years back. So, I thought of making a song on it. It’s a song about a total drunk guy walking on the street with no aim and no thoughts — he just needs more alcohol.
Like the most of us when we are drunk.
(Laughs) Yeah. We love playing this song at shows — we are always drunk!
Why does the demo have only two songs?
We didn’t have money to record more. (Laughs) Half of the money we get from shows, we spend it the same night on alcohol in some nearby hotel.
That’s what it’s all about — having a good time. What about the internet? Isn’t it a good medium to promote your music?
It’s good but you can’t expect any profit from it. When you’re starting out, the exposure it provides is really good and needed.
Your songs aren’t available for download anywhere.
We don’t believe in free downloads. (Smiles) If you believe your song is worth some money, you don’t need to offer it as a free download. I think that all the good bands in Bombay should at least do a rough recording [of their songs], and offer them for sale at cheap rates. We believe in promoting our music through live shows, not free downloads.
Are there any plans of releasing a full-length album in the near future?
Yes, later this year. Before that, we’re planning to do an outstation gig first, to try to promote our music outside Bombay.
Any new material that you guys are working on?
We’ve completed our third song called “Country Made Revolver”?. It’s a song about an old man who makes guns for the mafia and dies in the process.
Going from being an unknown band to a relatively famous one, how has the rise to fame been?
There is no fame, yaar. It’s all cool, we know many bands, they know us, and we support each other and other good bands.
Can you relate any funny anecdotes from your experience in the band?
Funny incidents… naming the band. (Laughs) We were having a booze party, and I offered to name the band ‘Kingfisher’. This was before our first show at Razz. We had to name the band something, and a few others were suggested, like McDowell’s (Mera no. 1). And this Amol ch*tya said let’s keep it Old Monk (after the rum). He wasn’t in the band at the time, and initially, no one liked the name. But then I realised that it was quite a good name, and changed it slightly to Old Monks. Good old days.
Good story. What can people expect from Old Monks in the near future?
Expect a good rock ‘n’ roll full-length CD in the near future.
Do you have any last words for the people reading this?
Mujhe daru chahiye! (Laughs) Cheers!
Beautiful … Mujay Daru Chahiyeah … all night long …cheeeeeeeeeeeerzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Somewhere down the line, we might find the band’s livers singing the song “Mujhe Alcoholic Anonymous ka phone number chahiye”
rock and then roll is great!