Welcome to the third quarterly news letter!
We’re proud to announce that we’ve added another "first" to our list of achievements. We’ve become the first Indian band to have our very own page on the Internet. If you have an Internet account you can visit our website at the following address.
http://www.oocities.org/SunsetStrip/Alley/4148
The Indus Creed website is managed by Nilay Soneji. It contains tons of information about the band. It will shortly carry pictures and a few sound clips. If you do visit the site, please don’t forget to sign the guest book. If you do not have access to the Internet but want to know more, please contact VSNL. (Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd.)
On the concert front, Indus Creed played their first semi - Un plugged concert in Rang Bhavan, Bombay on the 17th of August 1996. Playing to a highly receptive audience, the band played a mixture of covers and originals, all reworked in an acoustic format. Also part of the band, for the first time were Fazal and Taufiq Quereshi, on tabla and assorted percussion, respectively. The band also performed a new tune, "Comatose", that will feature on the up coming new album.
The highlight of the show was a stunning performance from the two percussionists. Gelling beautifully with the sound of acoustic guitars, they took songs like "Trapped" and "Pretty Child" to new heights.
As part of our on going efforts to bring to you Indus Creed paraphernalia, we’re happy to announce new Indus Creed Caps. These caps are available to non - members at a price of Rs. 50/- only. (Rupees Fifty only). For members of the fan club the cap is free and enclosed in this parcel. Should you want to order more caps for your friends please follow the usual format of ordering, viz. Money order in the name of Indus Creed only for Rs. 50/-.
That’s all for this edition of the quarterly news letter. See you in the next quarter.
In our second edition of our news letter we'd like to tell you what we've been upto in the last few months and what we have planned in the next couple of months.
In the last quarter of 1995, Indus Creed was busy touring and writing new songs for a new album tentatively scheduled to be recorded in October 1996. We also played concerts in Bangalore, Calicut, Mumbai and Goa. We also performed in Poona to a record breaking audience on the 20th of January.
On the 25th of January 1996 Indus Creed performed at MTV''s launch party in Bangalore. The popular music channel makes a comeback one and a half years after they broke away from Star TV.
The high point of the show was the performance of a very special and famous guest who had been invited to perform along with Indus Creed.
Guns & Roses axeman 'Slash' came down specially for the occasion and performed a set of hard rocking music with Indus Creed.
Five Thousand guests specially flown in from all over the world witnessed a unique combination of straight ahead American rock from the guitar maestro of Guns & Roses interwoven with the rhythmic, energetic and explosive sound of the gurus of Indian rock, Indus Creed. Slash turned out to be a really cool guy and actually arrived from America with his manager, a roadie, an acoustic guitar and a six pack of beer.
He played the show with Indus Creed on a special electric guitar given to him by MTV which he later gave away to a lucky prize winner from the audience.
This highly celebrated event marks a new 'first' for Indus Creed and will be telecast on MTV to millions of watchers all over the world.
Indus Creed next performed at the Rock Yatra 1996 in Mumbai on the 10th of February 1996. Organized by concert promoter giant, Farhad Wadia, at the shrine of Indian rock, Rang Bhavan, the show had Indus Creed as the top billed act. Also performing were premier bands from all over the country such as Shiva from Calcutta and Parikrama from Delhi.
See you in the next quarter !
In the first edition of our quarterly news letter, we'd like to give you a brief history and introduction to the band.
Indus Creed were formerly known as Rock Machine. Formed in 1984 by bassist Mark Selwyn and guitarist Mahesh Tinaikar, Rock Machine began by performing small shows in colleges all over India. By 1986 the line up included Jayesh Gandhi (Guitars), Uday Benegal (Vocals), Zubin Balaporia (Keyboards) & Mark Menezes (Drums).
Between 1986 and 1992 Rock Machine performed in virtually every city in India. They also performed 6 concerts in what was then the U.S.S.R. In 1988 they recorded in Mumbai what was probably the first genuine rock album by an Indian band. Titled 'Rock 'n' Roll Renegade', it remains amongst the largest selling (and pirated ) albums in the country.
Songs like Top of the Rock, Chains & Black Leather and the title track Rock 'n' Roll Renegade became instant favourites with audiences all over the country. In 1988 Rock Machine were invited to perform alongside the popular Swedish rock band Europe.
In 1990 they recorded their 2nd album titled 'The Second Coming' featuring hits such as Turn It On & a song that was to pave the way for the concept & sound of what is now Indus Creed. Pretty Child ! Using tablas for the first time in any of their compositions, the band created a song (and a video) that went on to break all kinds of records. The video of Pretty Child went on to win MTV' 's Video Music Award for best Asian video of 1994. It was also voted No. 9 in MTV 's 100 best international videos of 1994.
It was at this time that the band began touring the Middle East & the United Kingdom. After gaining some international exposure it was becoming pretty evident that the band needed a change of identity. First to go was the name, 'Rock Machine'. In order to make an international impact the band needed a name that would reflect their roots & thus was born Indus Creed ! Indus meaning India & creed meaning belief. It was also around this time that long standing drummer Mark Menezes decided to emigrate to Hong Kong leaving a void that was to be filled by Bobby Duggal.
From 1993 to early 1995 Indus Creed toured all over with Bobby. In March 1994 the band set off for the United States of America. Based in Los Angeles they recorded a pioneering third album. Self titled 'Indus Creed ' it was released all over Asia, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand & the United Kingdom in January 1995. This album also featured a new talented musician, Shrikant 'travolta' Sriram who played tabla, flute & other assorted percussion. A video of the first song 'Trapped' was released on Channel V & MTV & immediately moved into the Asian Top 20.
In February that year Indus Creed & Bobby decided to go separate ways and the search for a drummer was on again. After auditioning a few drummers the band recruited Adrian Fernandes & set off to perform in Dubai. In May they returned to perform alongside American rockers Bon Jovi. In June a new video of the song Sleep from the third album, was shot & is currently on air on Channel V and MTV.
So that kind of covers what we've been up to since Mark & Mahesh got together 11 years ago to start a band. Looking back on all the fun we've had, touring & recording our albums, we'd like to thank fans all over India who have supported us through the years.
If you would like to know anything more about Indus Creed, feel free to mail us anytime.
Cheers !
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Last updated on 14 June, 1997