Exclusive Interview With Grey Shack

Grey Shack is a 4 piece hard rock band hailing from Chennai India.

Playing at Hornbill International Rock Contest 2013, Kohima for the first time, Let’s see what they’ve got!

“We’re really looking forward to Hornbill. We’re hoping to play a kickass show there and we hope you love our music!”

Massive metal India - We would love to take you back to when you started as a band. For those who don’t know, Grey Shack, How did it come together? What is that made you decide on the name of Grey Shack and what story does it have behind them? Who are your members and what role do they have in the band?

We started in 2007, when we were all in college. We just wanted to make some music, and we leaned towards a hard rock and rock and roll sound. It was just one of those late evenings when we had a competition coming up and we needed a name for the band. The story of the band name is a little hazy, but the two words just popped into our heads. A couple of weeks later, we won that competition and the name stuck.

The current line up of the band is

Rohan Sen – Vocals

Vikram Vivekanand – Guitars and backing vocals

Conrad Simmons – Bass and backing vocals

Hudstin Fernandez - Drums

MMI- We have 28 bands on list and the country witnesses’ bands coming up every year. What sets you apart and makes you different? Who are your favourite bands and influences? And why?

Well, we don’t try to over-complicate our music, and try to come out with something fancy that people may or may not get. We believe that our music is honest, simple and makes you feel good. And when you feel good, we feel great, that we’re able to pass on that energy to you. Some of our favourite bands are Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC, The Winery Dogs....you get the picture.

MMI- A lot of people as a band focus on subjects like social and political aspect. But what subject apart from the ones mentioned above do you have a keen interest in? What current messages do you convey which is important for the youth of today?

Our songs are very urban. They could be about love, about landlords, about paying rent, about freedom, about moving on, about a great evening (or steamy afternoon) with a woman. Our music does have a message though. Don’t take your problems too seriously. There’s always a way out, if you’re just willing to move on, live life and step outside.

MMI- If someone is interested in your music, what would you tell them to expect from your music? What are your favourite track you guys have recorded and Why?

They can expect a lot of rock and roll. Very loud rock and roll. Our favourite track right now, is a new song, that’s not on our first album ‘Step Outside’. We haven’t really given it a name yet, but we’ve been performing the song over the last two months and each time we play it, we feel like it’s our best song yet. We think it’s very well written, catchy and got some great instrumentation going on. Best of all, everybody seems to go back home with that song in their heads. That’s something you don’t get every day!

MMI- As India is concerned in music industry, financial situations are hard for a band and it seems people give up on the search for their Dream. What do you think the Dream for your band is and are you searching for it?

Well, it’s definitely true that bands face financial problems, but that’s mainly because most bands are formed in college, and the members don’t have a steady income source when they’re studying. But there are ways around it and they don’t need to give up on their dreams. The idea is to be really practical about it, and find a way that fuels the music. After all, there are many musicians in this country who have done it before. There’s no reason why some people can’t.

MMI- Maybe this is your first time playing at HIRC, well If you had to name one of your favourite things that made you guys decide to register and play for the contest, what would it be and why?

Well, we’ve never been to Nagaland, and we thought that this would be the best opportunity to visit. Hornbill has always been something we’ve wanted to attend, because of the prestige associated with it. We’ve just never been able to make it due to circumstances. We were even shortlisted last year but we couldn’t make it due to financial constraints. We’re really looking forward to the experience.

MMI- What do you feel has been the defining moment about Your Band?

Winning the Harley Davidson Find Your Freedom contest in Mumbai earlier this year could probably be our defining moment.

MMI- Which shows, gigs or concerts have been a turning point for you as a band? Tell us a stage where you had the most fun and the worst too?

Playing at the finals of Strawberry Fields at the National Law School in Bangalore back in 2008 could probably be one of our best shows. It felt great to go to another city and perform our music there.

As far as best show goes, it would probably be performing at the Harley Rock Riders concert organized by Rolling Stone Magazine in Kochi. That was one of our loudest and heaviest shows! And the energy that the crowd had was something that we hadn’t experienced until then! And worst show....we’ve had plenty. Can’t really point out one particular worst show! Hahahaha!!

MMI- There are so many bands and young musicians today and the completion gets more and more every year. What advice do you have for musicians who want to make music their full time career?

Just keep at it. When the going gets tough, practice.

MMI- Thank you so much for giving Massive Metal India this interview, is there anything you would like to add?

We’re really looking forward to Hornbill. We’re hoping to play a kickass show there and we hope you love our music!