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Pre-Revels’16 – Battle of the Bands

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It was 5:30pm on the eve of Valentine’s Day when you could hear team Crescendo setting up stage in the Quadrangle. The set-up had to be perfect. Crew members hurried around trying to program the audio kit to make sure that the sound was flawless. Guitarists tuned their instruments on stage while mics were being tested. The crowd slowly trickled in for a night of soaring vocals and blinding guitar riffs. The Quadrangle had the air of a stadium in Australia during a Test Match as people sat, relaxed and in groups, to watch an exciting contest that would send two lucky groups to the biggest music fest in MIT this year – Battle of the Bands, Revels 2016.

In a build up to this very same event, Pre-Revels featured headliner band “Eccentric Pendulum” as judges and special performers. Even though the set-up to the event took nothing short of three hours, it was well worth the wait for the dedicated metal fans as the first performance kicked off at 7.15pm. A number of promising bands followed suit, and many came up with Original Compositions (OC) for an edge over the competition. One particular OC that inspired mass chuckles in the audience was titled “I’m Not Vegetarian, I’m Just Broke”. Apart from the stellar OCs, one team performed Muse’s Knights of Cynodia which was cheered with gusto.

Pre-Revels'16 - Battle of the Bands. PC: Debang Sharma

Pre-Revels’16 – Battle of the Bands. PC: Debang Sharma

As band after band followed in their quest to snatch glory, the headliner band was due to go up on stage soon. They began setting up and slowly the immediate audience grew. What followed next was an electrifying performance that was met with an equal measure of head-banging. The lead singer Kaushal climbed the speakers as the audience went nuts. “Eccentric Pendulum” treated the crowd to a series of their greatest hits, after which we interviewed one of their band members, Vibhas.

 

In Conversation with Eccentric Pendulum

 

Eccentric Pendulum at Pre-Revels'16. PC: Debang Sharma.

Eccentric Pendulum at Pre-Revels’16. PC: Debang Sharma.

So, how did you guys start?

We’re originally based in Bangalore. The four founding members of the band were all in different bands but they couldn’t make their ideas fly there. There was a mismatch in thoughts and ambition. Hence we decided that it was time to start our own gig. We released our first EP in 2008.

How has the MIT Experience been so far?

The best thing I like about this college is that it has very few elders chuckles. No, but seriously, this is our third performance in this college and the crowd has always been intense and loving. We love the sheer energy. If I have one thing to tell you guys today, it would be that the timing could have been better. The set-up took way too long and bands could only perform for 6-8 minutes which isn’t cool.

You were originally four youngsters from Bangalore who started their own gig. How did that lead to you playing in countries like Spain and Germany? Do you have any advice for anyone attempting the same?

It’s been a ride. It wasn’t a joke; we really needed to put our backs into it. I guess if I really have advice for anyone trying to make it big in this scene, I’d say – Take Yourself Seriously. I can’t stress that enough. You definitely need support from your parents. Let’s face it, this is India. Here, everyone goes into branches like engineering and medicine and it takes real courage to try something like taking up music as a career. Art is not as explored as other fields in India, and that’s a real shame. So yes, do what you love. Take yourself seriously. And dare to be different.

What do you feel about the music scene in India?

While there are small pockets of crazy fans, I feel Metal is quite restricted as a genre. Nowadays, nearly every form of music needs to have Indian or Bollywood elements to run successfully.

 So what does an artist do in such a scene?

It’s important to do what you love, but it’s also important to go commercial. Sometimes you need to compromise on your artist ethics and try different things. There really isn’t a point in being abstract in music if you want immediate success.

Have you tried any other genre besides Metal/Progressive Rock?

We listen to all forms of music and jam to Porcupine Tree. We try to incorporate elements of hip-hop into our music to add that shock value.

What are you guys working on right now? Also, tell us something about your practice schedule.

We’re working on our second album as of now. We try to meet up twice a week for jam sessions but restrict song writing to only one or two members at a time.

What was your first big break?

I think that came when we performed at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany, which is the biggest Heavy Metal fest in the world. Their line-up included the likes of Judas Priest. It was insane.

Which bands do you consider an inspiration?

Since we started, we considered Opeth and Meshuggah as inspirations. smiles What also helped is that soon we were playing with them.

 

And that was that. A band still performed on stage as Vibhas looked behind, waiting to get back to judging the best two. He smiled and got up, still sweating and exhausted after his own performance but with a satisfied smile. The Quadrangle rang true with guitars and drums well into 10.30 in the night. Now the stage is truly set for a clash of the titans in Revels 2016. Are you ready?

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