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It's what my heart says that is what I listen to ( I listen to it ) It's what my heart feels it tells me what to do ( tells me what to do ) It's what my heart knows that's the only, only truth i know it's real All I hear is what my heart says is real "
- Monica (What my heart says)
I apologise for the song above, as I had never thought I would force upon an unsuspecting reader the agonies of senseless, teeny-boppy pop music. But, taken out of context (trust me, you don't want to go throuhg the rest of the song!), I thought it fits the mood of what I wish to spill out!
What is wrong with the Indian rock audience? Why are we still stuck in an age where we think an Indian band playing Metallica is cool?
A couple of years back, Orange Street had visited Madras. They played at Saarang (the IITM cultural festival), at the annual rock concert. They desperately tried to play their own music, and a hostile crowd listened to them trying to rock the Open Air Theatre. They were followed by Moksha (I think that is what they called themselves, but their music doesn't even come close to the name of thier band). So, Moksha come on stage, playing everything from Nothing Else Matters, to Cupid's Dead. And the crowd cheered, and feined appreciation as Moksha sung songs that are quite out of their league.
What is rock music? Rock music is music that comes straight from the heart. It might come out in various forms, the psychedelia of Floyd to the banging of druns that go by the tag of heavy metal. Rock music is a bunch of talented guys singing their heart out. It is pure love for expression through music that pushes one to the limit. It is love for music, not the noise of the crowds. I do agree, that a crowd enjoying your music does help, but that is not the point!
That is where pop music is filtered out from rock! When a band plays music purely to satisfy the crowds, that is popular music! Yes! Pop music! That is why "You look beautiful tonight" (Clapton) and "Sweetest Thing" (U2) are classified in the genre of rock, where as "I want it that way" (BackStreet Boys) is dumoed into bucket of pop songs. Coming back to Moksha, what they did that night was a Pop concert! And Orange Street, rocked!
Noone will agree. People in IIT still rave about how 'sued' Moksha was, but the bottom-line is that they were 'pseudo', more than anything else.
I don't think India will ever produce greats such as Dire Straits, U2, The Who or Pink Floyd. This is definitely NOT due to lack of talent, but us being unable to from a good rock audience. I hope I am wrong, but this is the future that I see to Indian (English) Rock Music.
PS : You should hear Zero! They are very very good! And they play originals!!! Finally, a breath of fresh air!!!!
