This weekend performance in Kalyan pays tribute to late metalhead Anuj Mahadik

On most days thirtytwoyear old Nelson Kharat comes across as the stereotypical IT professional for an MNC in Pune But hiding within the former Ambernathresident is a rocker who leads the vocals for the Suburban Music Project Tell him that it sounds like a scene out of Farhan Akhtarrsquos 2008 film Rock On and he laughs Since 2015 Kharatrsquos project has been part of a community of indie rockers in the eastern suburbs beyond ThaneAnand Iyer AKA Andy of DarcligtldquoIt is a myth that the genre only thrives in town South Mumbai or Bandrardquo he notes This weekend the vocalist is organising The Korrupted Fest 2023 in Kalyan as a tribute to fellow metal head Anuj Mahadik who passed away in 2019 ldquoHe was an ardent metalhead and a keen supporter We held a tribute concert in 2019 in Dombivli This is our second edition post the pandemicrdquo the vocalist reveals The event on Sunday will witness six bands mdash all from the suburbs from Thane to Ambernath mdash perform togetherUnderground rockIncidentally the extended suburbs have had a history of rock bands and talents such as Moksh and Infernal Wrath that emerged in the early 2000s Kharat shares that in 2011 he would often travel to gigs at nowshut Blue Frog and catch the last train back homeSid ThomasldquoThere are only a few venues in the region that host this genrerdquo says Evan Shimron drummer for Emergency Trigger A research analyst Shimron also hails from Ambernath ldquoWe Emergency Trigger started our journey with a festival at Father Agnelrsquos Engineering College in Vashi Now few colleges in the suburbs host rock bands even in MumbairdquoFor Sid Thomas lead vocalist of Rotten Kitten it has always been the case ldquoThere is not much of a metal scene in the suburbs but there are a number of talented bands emergingrdquo says the 24yearold sales manager and Pantera fanBanding togetherIs it any surprise then that we all formed a closeknit community asks Kharat ldquoIf you are a rock fan or musician in the suburbs we know you No matter where a band plays we turn up to encourage themrdquo he saysldquoNetworking is everything when it comes to music It is easy because everyone in the community is supportiverdquo Thomas says Most bands have known each other for a long time Shimron recalls sharing commutes on the train and bus with other bands ldquoWe would compete against each other in college fests and then take the train back home We have carried each otherrsquos instruments shared gearrdquo he remarksThe Suburban Music Project in actionAnand Iyer aka Andy guitarist frontman of Darcligt explains ldquoIn Mumbai despite Bollywood an independent musician has avenues Beyond Thane it is a challenge This is why community becomes importantrdquoThere is also a lack of audience involvement in these suburbs While attendance is growing the musicians admit that it fades in comparison to Mumbai ldquoIt is still an indie scene Few people are aware of the genre of music or gigsrdquo says Iyer Kharat remarks that most of their gigs in the past hardly broke even ldquoThere were barely 50 people in attendance Most lounges and clubs focus on Bollywood music Why would people try rock or metal when the return is lowrdquoGenre revivalEvan ShimronHowever times are a changing The recent years have offered enough proof of an emerging audience base There is a new generation willing to experiment with new genres Kharat admits that this is the first time they have charged a minimal entrance fee for the festival ldquoWith more gigs taking place in the suburbs it might draw in more audiences and thereby spread the word That is what we hoperdquo Thomas adds With a host of local metalheads on display the Sunday show will be proof of an emerging revolution in suburbiaOn July 30 6 pm onwardsAt Music Mafia Lounge First Floor Orbit Commercial Complex Khadakpada Kalyan WestLog on to skillboxescomCost Rs 300Bands from MMRgtgt Ailaan Kalyangtgt Moksh Thanegtgt Infernal Wrath Ambernathgtgt Vinod B Project Kalyangtgt Akruti Kalyan