Latest news with #GirishandtheChronicles
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Girish and the Chronicles bring their hard rock power to Hyderabad
Mention Bengaluru-based Girish and the Chronicles (GATC) in a room full of rock fans and watch the mood shift — soaring vocals, powerful guitars, and memories of the band's blistering live sets take centre stage. For over a decade, the four-piece band has been a driving force in India's hard rock and melodic metal scene. Originally from Sikkim, GATC comprises Girish Pradhan (vocals), Nagen Mongranti (drums), Yogesh Pradhan (bass), and Suraz Karki (guitar). Having shared stages with rock royalty — Guns N' Roses, Skid Row, Nazareth, Alter Bridge, and Megadeth's Chris Adler during his India tour — GATC's resume reads like a metalhead's dream. But speak to Girish and the conversation returns to Sikkim, where it all began. 'My brother and I were discovering music on our own,' Girish recalls. 'We grew up in the cassette era, which forced us to really listen. Yogesh was playing around with guitars, and I started taking vocals seriously at around 14. Music was always around — our mum's a singer and most of our cousins played guitar.' That early exposure, thanks to cassettes and classic MTV, was formative. 'Shows would play everything from Iron Maiden and Bon Jovi to Lenny Kravitz and Metallica. Songs like Jaded, It's My Life, and Fly Away just blew our minds. Later we realised many of these bands were already legends from the '80s!' Girish credits their musical awakening to the rich, music-loving culture of the Northeast. 'We were lucky to grow up in it.' Their first band, Anarchy, formed when Girish was in Class 11 and Yogesh in Class 9. 'I was on vocals and rhythm guitar. Yogesh started out on drums. Our dad, Shyam Pradhan, who was a football commentator, was incredibly supportive,' Girish says. Their breakout moment was at a school show in 2004 that drew over 5,000 people. 'We were blown away,' said Girish. Now, over two decades later, GATC is set to perform in Hyderabad on May 31 at Hard Rock Café. 'It's not our first time in the city, but we're always excited to play. Every show feels new,' says Girish. Those early gigs were more than just performances — they were GATC's initiation into the world of concerts and crowd energy. Over the years, the band took every opportunity that came their way. Their commitment to rock 'n' roll often earned them the wrong kind of attention. 'There was a phase when people labelled us as 'boys with bad habits' just because we were in a rock band,' Girish recalls. 'It wasn't pleasant. But nothing is permanent, thankfully.' When asked what fuels his songwriting, Girish says it is deeply personal. 'I started writing from a young age, and my songs often reflect my own situations — what kind of year it's been, what's going on in my life or around me.' Was there ever a moment when the dream felt uncertain? 'Absolutely. I pursued nothing but music. I was in a band that didn't work out. Then I went solo and dropped out of engineering—without telling anyone. It was a risk. But I knew this was what I had to do.' That decision took him to Kathmandu, where he spent a transformative year immersed in the city's vibrant music scene. 'Kathmandu was my real college. I learnt everything I could about music there.' In 2009, he returned to Gangtok and recorded his first single, Angel, with his brother, who was home for the holidays while studying sound engineering. Around the same time, Girish's YouTube channel began gaining traction. 'YouTube became a turning point. It's how music lovers discovered us,' he says. 'Honestly, YouTube and Facebook were our passports to popularity.' The momentum continued. In 2010, GATC became the first band from the Northeast to be invited to a European music festival— Suncane Skale International Music Awards Festival in Montenegro, Europe. Two years later, in 2012, they spent a full year as the house band for a major club in Hong Kong. Their debut album released in 2014 — and now, their fourth album is slated for a September 2025 release. Girish And The Chronicles will be playing at Hard Rock Cafe, Hitec City, Hyderabad on May 31.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Guns N' Roses reignite rock fever in Mumbai
Guns N' Roses performed in Mumbai on Saturday Rock royalty Guns N' Roses set Mumbai on fire with their electrifying performance at Mahalakshmi Racecourse on Saturday night. The legendary American band returned to India after 13 years, and it was indeed a treat for their diehard fans, who didn't stop at anything to witness history - not the massive walk to get to and exit the venue, not the traffic, not even the probability of rain. Guns N' Roses performed in Mumbai on Saturday The evening saw audiences across generations (obviously more Gen X fans than millennials and Gen Z) cheer the legendary band – lead singer AXL Rose , 63, lead guitarist Slash , 59, and bassist Duff McKagan, 61, – who left them captivated with their non-stop performance for almost three hours. The band's other members included Richard Fortus (guitar), Dizzy Reed and Melissa Reese (keyboard), and Isaac Carpenter (drummer). 'It's good to see you again, Mumbai,' said Rose and he was met with a thunderous response. GNR opened the concert with Welcome To The Jungle and Bad Obsession before moving on to fan favourites like their cult classics - rock anthem Sweet Child O' Mine, Paradise City and November Rain. Rose's piano solo November Rain is what memories are made of. Indian rock band Girish and the Chronicles opened the evening before GNR took the centre stage. Guns N' Roses performed in Mumbai on Saturday For the generation that grew up on GNR, the evening meant more than a music concert. As you watched them soaking in the sights and sounds, you realised how the band's music probably echoed their heartbreak, rebellion and passion for decades. This was rock revival at its finest. The band was brought to India by BookMyShow Live. Guns N' Roses' set list for Mumbai (to name a few) Civil War Don't Cry Patience Knockin' On Heaven's Door Estranged You Could Be Mine Nightrain Sweet Child O' Mine Paradise City November Rain Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Guns N' Roses return to Mumbai after 13 years; fans slam 4km walk in queue to reach venue: 'What's the point of overcharging'
Guns N' Roses, the popular American band, is in India and is set to perform in Mumbai on Saturday, May 17, 2025, after 13 years. The band is going to perform at the MMRDA grounds. Indian rock band Girish and the Chronicles will be opening the show. As the concert is taking place at Mahalaxmi Racecourse, the band will take to the stage at 6.45 pm, and the gates open at 3 pm. Amid this, there are several visuals that surfaced from the event on X (formerly called Twitter), showcasing a huge crowd gathered outside the venue. Fans walked for about 4km in long queues to reach the venue In one of the visuals, the massive crowd was seen waiting and walking for almost 4 km in long queues to reach the concert venue. Some users took to X and shared their frustration, and one asked, "@bookmyshow, what's the point of overcharging and making us take VIP tickets and saying there's express entry if there's no proper dedicated lanes and you're making us walk 30 mins just to get to the security check #GunsNRoses" @bookmyshow what's the point of overcharging and making us take VIP tickets and saying there's express entry if there's no proper dedicated lanes and you're making us walk 30 mins just to get to the security check#GunsNRoses "Long ass queue at Guns N' Roses Mumbai 2025," another added. Long ass queue at Guns N' Roses Mumbai 2025 "There's sweat and slop and long queues at the bar at the Guns N' Roses show. Never attending a big show in Mumbai again 🤢" There's sweat and slop and long queues at the bar at the guns n roses show. Never attending a big show in Mumbai again 🤢 "@bookmyshow @Bookmyshow_live does not deserve to put up concerts. Absolute shit show at the @gunsnroses concert in Mumbai." A look at the lineup of the iconic rock anthems The bands will perform some of the greatest hits of all, including 'Paradise City', 'Sweet Child o' Mine', 'November Rain', 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door', 'Patience', 'Don't Cry' and 'Welcome to the Jungle' and more. To kick off the show, Indian band Girish and the Chronicles will warm up the crowd with their performance from 5.45 to 6.15. Following this, the legendary Guns N Roses hit the stage.
