Surfing gnarled melodies

Catch Gnarl perform live on June 17 at Kyra at 8.30 pm.Gnarl is a threepiece powerhouse. High vocal ranges replete with throat thrashing, subtle melodies, heavy bass lines and mindnumbing double-bass drum sequences constitute their sound. Their first self-titled album was released by Sony BMG, India. The album hit music stores all over the country on September 15, 2005, and has been selling successfully ever since.On stage, the three are dark-clothed, grim, and forceful as they power through their set list. In another setting, they smile, relax, and sip on coffee, joking and telling stories about their history and their soaring aspirations. The juxtaposition between their differing personae fits their name well.“Gnarl - we associate it with mysticism, age and a sense of ambiguity - everything is not what it seems,” the band admits. Indeed it is not. These three seemingly reserved young men, when on stage together, produce powerful music coupled with an energetic live act that results in an utterly explosive experience.Founded in 2001, Gnarl has experienced personnel changes but has maintained its driving, power trio rock style throughout the years.The band now consists of Tamar Chatterjee (Vocals and Lead Guitar), Taj Khan (Drums), and Ram Reddy (Bass Guitar). Singer/songwriter Tamar’s primary aim was to create a sound that would blur the lines that separated different musical genres - resulting in a pure blend of melody and power.The music is distinctive, emotionally moving, and most importantly, original.Replete with metaphors based on diverse themes that deal with personal strife, socio-economic issues and the eternal triumph of good over evil, his lyrics are potent and thought provoking. All Gnarl’s songs are based on personal thoughts and experiences, cleverly written and structured with the sole intent to inspire.Gnarl’s most recent concert was at the Hard Rock Cafe in Hyderabad on account of the Cafe’s first anniversary.The band has performed in Bangalore thrice in the past, the most recent one being their album promotional in-store performance at Planet-M on Brigade Road.This show was part of the band’s tour of South India in 2007-08 that spanned four cities — Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kochi.Gnarl has played at numerous venues including Palace Grounds (Strawberry Fields 2003, Bangalore), Hard Rock Cafe (Hyderabad), Treasure Island (Hyderabad), Freedom Jam (The Club, Bangalore) and The Underdeck at Taj Banjara (Hyderabad), Gnarl’s Launch Concert (Taj Residency, Hyderabad).Gnarl was declared the ‘Band of Carpe Diem’ at a competition held during the annual fest at Chaitanya Bharati Institute of Technology [CBIT], Hyderabad, taking the top spot among the competing bands.The band has also released two music videos from their first album that currently air on VH1. They plan to begin recording their second album in the next couple of months. The band is actively involved in various kinds of charitable work.Gnarl donates a part of sales proceeds to several charity institutions in Hyderabad. One of the band’s most memorable performances was a fund raiser for Concern India Foundation — a non-profit and public charitable trust.Gnarl also visits several charity homes and orphanages in and around Hyderabad city including The Forum of Street Children, Missionaries of Charity, All God’s Children, Krushi Child Shelter Home and Reverend Emmanuel Damara’s Child Shelter Home.