...is what city-based rock band Zedde aspires to do.
With the aim to make music that is contemporary and relevant, Zedde (pronounced as zed) was formed in 2008, with guitarist Claver Menezes laying the foundations of the band.
Over the years, some members left and new joined, and so the current line-up consists of Claver, Tirthankar Poddar aka 2blue (vocals), Chirayu Vedekar (bass) and Trevor Berchman (drums). None of these guys are full-time musicians and hold other day time jobs. For instance, 2blue works as vice president of content acquisition at STUDYeBUDDY.com, Claver works as promo manager at Radio Mirchi, Trevor is a group IT head at WNS, whereas Chirayu works with his own travel agency and also plays for Vasuda Sharma. Winning Asian Anthem of the Year at AVIMA 2010, for their ballad Mumbai, and Best Band at ArtistAloud.com Awards 2010, are just two of their other achievements.
As for the band’s peculiar name, (it doesn’t actually have a meaning), it was a collective decision. Like most bands, Zedde too, started off playing covers. Their early set list mostly consisted of Mr Big, Motley Crue, and Guns N’ Roses. But unlike some bands who look down upon doing covers, these guys didn’t shy from it. “I personally believe it is important to draw energies from the predecessors who have shaped our sound. Over time, the covers have been replaced with original tunes. However, if you attend a two-hour Zedde concert, you will still find a spattering of covers that we play. But then, we’ve styled them our own way to retain our individuality,” says 2blue. Three songs which they consider very powerful and inspirational for that lyrical as well as musical content include: Here I Go Again by Whitesnake; Ekla Chalo Re by Rabindranath Tagore; and Ballad Of Youth by Richie Sambora.
Speaking of the band’s sound, they like to describe themselves as Ian Gillan-meets-Paul-Gilbert. Zedde tries to draw inspiration from everything that they believe is good. For example, artistes and bands that they admire from the local scene include (but are not restricted to) percussive guitar player Manan Gupta, Indus Creed and Indiva. Some of their popular numbers include: Mumbai, a tribute to the city of dreams and the ballad in more ways than one, is the story of 2blue’s life; Blame It On Her Youth, is a hard-hitting rock number about an outlandish young girl who moves to the city in search of excitement and throws her life away in the bargain. This one features an electric drill machine guitar solo and a powerful high-pitched chorus; and Dust On My Window, written from a girl’s perspective, is about the existence of life beyond a heartbreak with pop-rock feel. Other originals include This Ain’t For Ya Mama, PIMP (Party In My Pants), Smooth Criminal (MJ Tribute), Come Together (Beatles Tribute) and the instrumental tracks — Why Me and Thank You.
So far Zedde has come out with eight singles, which they have released online. As of now, the band is working on their debut self-titled album, which will comprise about a dozen original songs and should be out this year. Anything special in store for their debut album?
“I’m not going to say that it will take the world by storm. But it sure will try and make a small difference one song at a time,” assures 2blue.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}