Rock ‘n' rolling from Sikkim to the US: ‘You gotta be crazy about your art', says GATC
Blazing out of Sikkim and now based in Bengaluru, Girish and The Chronicles (GATC) are proving themselves to be one of India's fastest growing hard rock bands. Formed in 2009, GATC comprises Girish Pradhan (vocals), Suraz Sun (guitars), Yogesh Pradhan (bass/keys), and Nagen Mongrati (drums).
The band channels the spirit of '80s rock; with albums like
Rock the Highway
and
Hail to the Heroes
, they've built a cult following and shared stages with Hoobastank, Poets of the Fall, and most recently, opened for Guns N' Roses in Mumbai.
In June, GATC made history as the first Indian rock band to appear on America's Got Talent (AGT), with their viral cover of Adele's
Set Fire to the Rain
. In an exclusive interview with us, GATC got candid about staying defiantly rock'n'roll in a pop-dominated world. The band said, "Giving
Set Fire to the Rain
a raw, gritty, rock spin was our way of honouring Adele while making it our own.
We wanted to stay true to who we are as a band – helping us connect with a new audience."
On performing at AGT
GATC said that they have been fortunate enough to play amazing festivals, release albums internationally, and build a loyal listener base across Europe and Asia. The opportunity to be on AGT felt like the right leap for them. Speaking about performing for judges like Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Mel B, the band said: 'It felt surreal.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Pinga-Pinga e HBP? Tome isso 1x ao dia se tem mais de 40 anos
Portal Saúde do Homem
Clique aqui
Undo
Stepping onto that stage and hearing the audience roar, halfway across the world, was electrifying.
It was a culmination of years of hustle, heart, and staying true to our sound. We're grateful to have had this chance to bring our music to USA.'
Another rocking night with GNR
The band said that they've been fortunate enough to open for Guns N' Roses not just once, but twice. 'First in Abu Dhabi, and then on our home turf in Mumbai.
GN'R shaped our early years and influenced our sound so deeply, it was an absolute honour. Their music was part of our journey from the start. We learned their songs, played them at many gigs, and even posted covers online,' said the band members. 'Getting to share a stage with them felt like a full-circle moment.
Both shows, especially Mumbai, were unforgettable in every sense.'
On India's rock & metal scene
GATC believes that India's rock and metal scene has come a long way, especially when it comes to original music and live performances.
'More bands are writing and releasing their own material. That's a huge step forward. Songwriting is getting sharper, production quality is up there, and the live energy has always been strong. But, more events & venues should open up to original music,' shared the band.
Plans for 2025:
Sharing what the band plans for this year, they said, "This year is about taking our music to more cities, connecting with our fans, and keeping the energy alive on stage.
We'll be continuing to tour through the rest of 2025, with shows lined up across Asia and Europe."
From serene Sikkim to bustling Bengaluru
Looking back at their journey, GATC said, 'It has been a crazy ride. But the power of sticking together as a team is what has truly brought us to this point. It is as if nothing out there feels impossible or big, anymore. We've stayed true to ourselves and believed deeply in our music, which has opened doors across the globe.'
They further added, "We've learned that we have to be crazy about our art and just keep at it, with a lot of patience. At heart, we're still the same simple folks from the hills we were 19 years ago."
Girish's top four
Aviroop Basu from Fire in The Rodeo (Kolkata)
Nitesh Rolla from Roll Heads (Gangtok, Sikkim)
Sandeep Yogi from Guns from Country Side (Soreng, Sikkim)
Megan Rakesh from Meg and The Miracles — a 13-year-old rock'n'roll prodigy from Bangalore who's already making waves
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
37 minutes ago
- Mint
‘Tourist Family': A necessary dose of positivity
When I first watched Tourist Family, I thought it one of the lovelier films I've seen, but also declared it too-positive-for-me. 'Not enough to write about," I told a friend. Perhaps I was wrong, for Tourist Family has refused to leave my head since. In writer-director Abishan Jeevinth's debut film, the titular family are immigrant Sri Lankans who find their way to India by sea—illegally. Citing the country's economic crisis as the reason, Dharmadas (Sasikumar) and Vasanthi (Simran) flee Jaffna with their two sons, Nithushan (Mithun Jai Sankar) and Mulli (Kamalesh Jagan). Vasanthi's brother Prakash (Yogi Babu), once an illegal refugee himself, helps them out, from their entry in Rameshwaram to a settlement colony in Chennai. From the offset, the family's journey is perilously funny, which defines the film's core: yes, life is sad, but you need to be able to laugh at it. Dharmadas (or Das) is a kind man, almost too kind, much to the annoyance of his elder son, who's upset at being torn away from his home. Das' overt consideration for others is ironic, because he's in no position to be charitable and could do with help himself. In contrast, Mulli, the younger son, is an easy adapter and quick thinker. When an inspector detains the family, he manages to get them freed by appealing to the emotional father inside the cop. The biggest hurdle that Das and his family faced was, in fact, crossing the sea and coming to India. The worst thing that could happen already did. Every other conflict is less Herculean in comparison. However, it is these little problems and events that their world turns around; the dominos which will either hold their life together or cause it to crumble, leading to the only thing worse than leaving their home—going back to it. Slowly and surely, the family forges connections with the people around them. The film initially warns us not to trust anyone, but support and solidarity can be accessed if one takes the time to learn, as Das does. The neighbours, who first seem uninviting and non-inclusive, become their community, they grow to care for the family. Incidentally, Simran played a mother in another film briefly touching upon the Sri Lankan refugee crisis, Mani Ratnam's Kannathil Muthamittal (2002). Language was the centrepiece of conflict and revolution in Sri Lanka; the desire for self-determination fuelled by language is common to many Indian and Sri Lankan Tamils. Although the film is not concerned with this, it is language that provides common ground for the residents to create kinship with the tourist family. I was at first confused why a North Indian cop, Ramkumar Prasanna's Balwan Singh, is the face of police brutality in a Tamil film. The reasoning seems to be that a Hindi-speaking, non-native would be incapable of sympathising with Sri Lankan Tamils as the natives could. Jeevinth's film uses the very language that is often caricaturized in Hindi films, but as a means of solidarity. The constant reinforcement of positivity is sometimes tiring but ultimately necessary. The film makes a strong case against increasing cynicism, and argues for taking chances on people even at the risk of being hurt. Care and attention are imperative to rehabilitation. The film shows us how individual actions cause ripples that change what's around us—we affect the world as it affects us. Despite its overt positivity, Tourist Family is not without melancholy. Das is a troubled man. Leaving one's home and letting go of one's roots is not a small sacrifice. Disrupting your present for the possibility of a better future is not easy. This migration causes friction between the father and the elder son. Nithu is angry at his father, making us wonder if the man has some skeletons in his closet back home. Though a film about immigrant displacement, prejudice, death and grief, these themes are delicately wrapped in comedy perfectly timed in big and small moments. Perhaps this is the film's biggest win—the characters make you laugh with and at them. I'm wary of films that are too positive, but this one I've come around to. Every conflict here turns into something that's either laughable or solvable. While that may not always be true in real life, Tourist Family is a much-needed hug in times of divisive politics. It reveals that kindness must go around for it to come back. It's an attempt to say, you may not love thy neighbour, but you must try to befriend them. 'Tourist Family' is on JioHotstar. Also read: '28 Years Later' review: Danny Boyle's triumphant return to zombie films
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Indian businessman gifts custom pink Rolls-Royce to one-year-old daughter, viral video sparks criticism: ‘Extremely shallow'
Indian entrepreneur Satish Sanpal, who lives in Dubai, is making waves on the Internet for gifting his one-year-old daughter, Isabella Sanpal, a custom pink Rolls-Royce. Sanpal is the founder of ANAX Developments and had grabbed eyeballs for hosting an extravagant birthday party for her daughter. This event was hosted at The Atlantis and featured performances from artistes like Tammanah Bhatia, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Aatif Aslam, and Nora Fatehi. In the now-viral clip, Sanpal is seen with his wife, Tabinda Sanpal, as they surprise their daughter, Isabella, with the keys to her customised luxury car. The metallic pink Rolls-Royce features a matching all-pink interior, with custom seats monogrammed with her initials. A plaque inside the car reads, 'Congratulations, Isabella'. A note on the floor reveals that the vehicle was custom-made in England and shipped to the UAE especially for her. As the video progresses, it shows the family arriving in another Rolls-Royce to receive the custom-made pink vehicle. The toddler is seen enjoying the music and dancing as she is taken to the store. Sharing the video, an Instagram handle @loveindubai wrote, 'Satish Sanpal just won Father's Day. He gifted a custom-built Rolls-Royce in Dubai just for his precious baby girl, Isabella Satish Sanpal. Such a Dubai Dad move.' Watch the video here: A post shared by Lovin Dubai | لوڤن دبي (@lovindubai) The video did not sit well with social media users, prompting naysayers to react. 'I understand that people can spend their money however they like, but it's still sad seeing a toddler get a Rolls Royce when some charities have to beg for support,' a user wrote. 'It's a tacky and flashy display of wealth and just proves that money does not buy class,' another user commented. 'This is extremely shallow,' a third user reacted. 'when you don't know what to do with your money,' a fourth user said.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Legendary composer who gave Kishore Kumar a break, once owned 3 luxury cars, died alone; no family members attended his last rites
Once, he was one of the most influential composers in Bollywood, making stars dance to his tunes and bringing evergreen chartbusters to life. However, OP Nayyar , the mastermind behind timeless songs such as classic club banger ' Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu ' and the soulful and seductive 'Aaiye Mehrban', spent his twilight years in complete isolation and in dire financial straits. According to a DNA report, not one of his family members or anyone from the Bollywood fraternity attended his last rites when he passed away in 2007 following a heart attack. Bursting onto the scene in the 1950s as a confident, young refugee from Lahore, Nayyar challenged the titans of his day—Anil Biswas, Naushad Ali, Shankar-Jaikishan, S.D. Burman, and C. Ramchandra—and emerged as one of the most successful and highest-paid music directors in Bollywood. As per a Hindustan Times report, despite lacking formal training in classical music, Nayyar composed songs deeply rooted in Indian ragas , like Chhota Sa Balama in Raag Tilang and the entire Phagun soundtrack in Raag Pilu. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dental implants in Trinidad & Tobago Dental Awareness Media Learn More A Fall from Fame and a Retreat into Solitude As the golden era faded, so did Nayyar's prominence in the industry. By the late 1970s, personal and professional setbacks started taking their toll. He distanced himself from his family in 1979, and although he returned briefly, he permanently separated from them in 1989. A After spending some time with singer Madhuri Joglekar in Virar, Nayyar moved in with the Nakhwa family in Thane as a paying guest. According to Indian Express, he had chosen a life of quiet withdrawal, asking to remain disconnected from both his biological family and the glamorous film world that once idolised him. Rani Nakhwa, who came to know him through a small telephone booth where she worked, had no idea of his celebrity status when they first met. She offered him a room in her modest one-bedroom home. Over time, the bond deepened. He became a father figure to her, and she affectionately referred to him as Babujee. He, in turn, called her Raju, having disliked her real name. In his final years, he preferred the company of these ordinary yet kind-hearted people, choosing familial warmth over material success. In an interview with , Nakhwa said, "He lived like a king here. He liked having a beer in the afternoon and had his staple of two pegs of scotch in the evenings." An Unattended Farewell When O.P. Nayyar passed away in January 2007 due to a heart attack, the music world lost one of its most influential voices. However, in accordance with his wishes, none of his family members or anyone from the film industry was informed. His funeral was attended only by the Nakhwa family, who had become his closest companions in his final chapter. Reminiscing about his death, Nakhwa told , "He had told us not to inform his family of his death. We performed his last rites.' Legacy of a Revolutionary Composer Nayyar's artistic contributions remain unmatched. Though his debut film, Asman, was unsuccessful, his big break came with Aar Paar in 1954 under Guru Dutt's guidance. With a revolutionary blend of Indian rhythmic patterns and Western instrumentation like saxophone, clarinet, and sarangi, as highlighted by the Hindustan Times , Nayyar transformed the soundscape of Hindi cinema. He once owned three luxury cars and hosted lavish parties at his music room in Kemp's Corner, but his final years were marked by simplicity, detachment, and emotional depth—mirroring the very soul of his compositions, the HT report revealed. He introduced and championed major voices like Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar . He worked with Kumar on several successful songs, including those in films like 'Baap Re Baap' (1955) and 'Ragini' (1958).
