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Members of the band Evergreen, which has been selected for the prestigious Independence Rock competition in Mumbai, talks to K. PRADEEP
Band Evergreen is thrilled. It is the first one to have been selected from Kerala for the prestigious Independence Rock competition to be held in Mumbai next month. No mean feat this, for a band nestling down South, in Kerala. The eight-year-old Kochi-based band, is now on the threshold of a giant leap.
"This is a big thing for us simply because we are the first from Kerala to get there. We also feel it is recognition for our work for we were selected from over 180 entries. And if we are fortunate to win it, it will give us that dream chance to play in many other festivals," says Aju Thomas, the songwriter, who doubles up as their photographer and marketing manager.
Fresh notes
"When three of us, Suraj Pallan, a talented drummer, Arun M. S., bass guitarist, and I got together with a vision of a band, we were clear that it would have to be one with individualistic values and broad appeal. We asked ourselves, `what is that we would be able to give that has not been heard before'? And this attempt to provide something different always is what has been guiding us," says lead guitarist Sunil Silvester.
That was the beginning. Saji Antony joined them with his unrestrained keyboard styles and now all they needed was a vocalist. Many came and went till Joe Peter walked in. Soon the band came to be known as Joe Peter and the Evergreen Band. "Like most bands we began playing in hotels and parties. Evergreen was soon becoming popular but we knew we had to evolve or die," reminisces Sunil. By 2002 they completed all their contracts and the band had an identity enabling them to dream of greater things. With the entry of Aju, they began thinking of their own songs.
Originals poured forth and Evergreen were playing numbers like `The Calling' based on the death of a friend and `Vengeance' based on a ghost. They moved into the competition circuit. "The first time we were at the Strawberry Fields, the popular competition held annually in Bangalore, crowds were surprised to listen to a Kochi band's near perfect rendering of Dream Theater's `Pull me under... ' and Metallica's `Master of Puppets,' along with our originals. The judges gave our originals top scores."
That was when Joe Peter and Aju went abroad to study.
"It was a sort of a setback but we were lucky to get Jagan George, who epitomised raw energy, in his singing. He slipped into the shoes of Joe quite easily. Aju has come back and now it was time to think of our next phase," says Sunil.
New album
Evergreen is focussed on the release of their maiden album titled `Between and Beyond.'
"It is these little things that helps keep a band alive. It will have seven songs, one acoustic version, all different in presentation, a concept album with a theme, not very apparent, that runs through all the songs," explains Aju.
Evergreen will perform at Thiruvananthapuram on August 14 and at the Freedom Jam in Bangalore the next day.
- The Hindu
Members of the band Evergreen, which has been selected for the prestigious Independence Rock competition in Mumbai, talks to K. PRADEEP
Band Evergreen is thrilled. It is the first one to have been selected from Kerala for the prestigious Independence Rock competition to be held in Mumbai next month. No mean feat this, for a band nestling down South, in Kerala. The eight-year-old Kochi-based band, is now on the threshold of a giant leap.
"This is a big thing for us simply because we are the first from Kerala to get there. We also feel it is recognition for our work for we were selected from over 180 entries. And if we are fortunate to win it, it will give us that dream chance to play in many other festivals," says Aju Thomas, the songwriter, who doubles up as their photographer and marketing manager.
Fresh notes
"When three of us, Suraj Pallan, a talented drummer, Arun M. S., bass guitarist, and I got together with a vision of a band, we were clear that it would have to be one with individualistic values and broad appeal. We asked ourselves, `what is that we would be able to give that has not been heard before'? And this attempt to provide something different always is what has been guiding us," says lead guitarist Sunil Silvester.
That was the beginning. Saji Antony joined them with his unrestrained keyboard styles and now all they needed was a vocalist. Many came and went till Joe Peter walked in. Soon the band came to be known as Joe Peter and the Evergreen Band. "Like most bands we began playing in hotels and parties. Evergreen was soon becoming popular but we knew we had to evolve or die," reminisces Sunil. By 2002 they completed all their contracts and the band had an identity enabling them to dream of greater things. With the entry of Aju, they began thinking of their own songs.
Originals poured forth and Evergreen were playing numbers like `The Calling' based on the death of a friend and `Vengeance' based on a ghost. They moved into the competition circuit. "The first time we were at the Strawberry Fields, the popular competition held annually in Bangalore, crowds were surprised to listen to a Kochi band's near perfect rendering of Dream Theater's `Pull me under... ' and Metallica's `Master of Puppets,' along with our originals. The judges gave our originals top scores."
That was when Joe Peter and Aju went abroad to study.
"It was a sort of a setback but we were lucky to get Jagan George, who epitomised raw energy, in his singing. He slipped into the shoes of Joe quite easily. Aju has come back and now it was time to think of our next phase," says Sunil.
New album
Evergreen is focussed on the release of their maiden album titled `Between and Beyond.'
"It is these little things that helps keep a band alive. It will have seven songs, one acoustic version, all different in presentation, a concept album with a theme, not very apparent, that runs through all the songs," explains Aju.
Evergreen will perform at Thiruvananthapuram on August 14 and at the Freedom Jam in Bangalore the next day.
- The Hindu
Hear the latest sound system Nexo at a musical rock show hosted by local band group Evergreen
The strains and sounds of music will never be the same again. Band Evergreen will play host to a group of talented rockers of the golden years and some of the top rockers of the new generation in what promises to be a mind-boggling show. What will ma ke this show a never-before experience is the use of 100,000 watt of sound that will thunder out of the latest Nexo sound systems.
‘A Night Out With Evergreen & Friends,’ which is being presented by Udaya Light and Sound, will virtually unleash thunderous music at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, on October 11 at 7 p.m.
Nexo is one of the top three sound reinforcement loudspeakers manufacturers in Europe. Based in Paris their innovative, integrated sound systems have found favour world over. “Udaya has acquired the latest array of hanging or flying speakers and the brand new sound systems. This will be tested out for this event. And to ensure that every watt of this tremendous sound counts, every beat is balanced and that it does not end in just sheer noise Udaya have brought in two sound engineers from France who will be in charge of the sound,” informs Jagan George of Band Evergreen.
The event will also be a reunion of sorts for some of the musicians of various generations. “We will have some extremely talented musicians performing for the show. Guitarists like Jose (Atma), Biju ‘Vaidyar’ (Melting Maids), drummers Siju Silvester (Silver Rose), Jerry Peter (Exodus), vocalists Ancel (2B2C, Valhalla), Joe Peter (13AD), Lenoy Manuel (Exodus), jazz pianist Samuel Leo D’Karen (His Dua, Astra) will all be there along with Evergreen. We also expect some others to come for surprise performances,” adds Jagan.
And for Band Evergreen this event will be special. The Kochi-based band, first from the State to be selected for the Independence Rock competition in Mumbai, is gearing up for the launch of their first album. “Since, this event is coming up we will not be playing any of our own songs. Most of it will be cover songs this time.”
K.PRADEEP
© Copyright 2000 - 2008 The Hindu
- The Hindu
Hear the latest sound system Nexo at a musical rock show hosted by local band group Evergreen
The strains and sounds of music will never be the same again. Band Evergreen will play host to a group of talented rockers of the golden years and some of the top rockers of the new generation in what promises to be a mind-boggling show. What will ma ke this show a never-before experience is the use of 100,000 watt of sound that will thunder out of the latest Nexo sound systems.
‘A Night Out With Evergreen & Friends,’ which is being presented by Udaya Light and Sound, will virtually unleash thunderous music at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, on October 11 at 7 p.m.
Nexo is one of the top three sound reinforcement loudspeakers manufacturers in Europe. Based in Paris their innovative, integrated sound systems have found favour world over. “Udaya has acquired the latest array of hanging or flying speakers and the brand new sound systems. This will be tested out for this event. And to ensure that every watt of this tremendous sound counts, every beat is balanced and that it does not end in just sheer noise Udaya have brought in two sound engineers from France who will be in charge of the sound,” informs Jagan George of Band Evergreen.
The event will also be a reunion of sorts for some of the musicians of various generations. “We will have some extremely talented musicians performing for the show. Guitarists like Jose (Atma), Biju ‘Vaidyar’ (Melting Maids), drummers Siju Silvester (Silver Rose), Jerry Peter (Exodus), vocalists Ancel (2B2C, Valhalla), Joe Peter (13AD), Lenoy Manuel (Exodus), jazz pianist Samuel Leo D’Karen (His Dua, Astra) will all be there along with Evergreen. We also expect some others to come for surprise performances,” adds Jagan.
And for Band Evergreen this event will be special. The Kochi-based band, first from the State to be selected for the Independence Rock competition in Mumbai, is gearing up for the launch of their first album. “Since, this event is coming up we will not be playing any of our own songs. Most of it will be cover songs this time.”
K.PRADEEP
© Copyright 2000 - 2008 The Hindu
- The Hindu
Discography
The Album
Between & Beyond
In the soundscapes and imagery of Evergreen, there is an apparent "guardian" theme, be it of nature, innocence or against ignorance. These messages are obvious in their song Run to the Light and contextualized in From Here to Clarity. These songs not only offer the premise but also the irony. Thus they had made a stand against issues like Global Warming and Cruelty Against Animals, not by being preachy but choosing the Post-Modern path
Photos
Bio
History
In the early part of the band's 14 year history, they were influenced by Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Rush, Dream Theater and they were known for their near perfect covers. Evergreen grew from a commercial/corporate circuit to the rockers they are today. They give special attention in selecting their equipment, emphasising on creating a sound of their own. Evergreen, giving them the distinction of being the only band from Kerala ever to be selected for the event. Their national experience won them many accolades, making them a formidable opponent in any nation-wide competition and an elemental sounding band waiting to unleash.
They give special attention in selecting their equipment, emphasising on creating a sound of their own. Their national experience won them many accolades, making them a formidable opponent in any nation-wide competition and an elemental sounding band waiting to unleash.
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