Girish and The Chronicles

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Girish and The Chronicles
Also known asGATC
OriginGangtok, Sikkim, India
GenresHard rock, Heavy Metal, Melodic Rock, Glam Metal
Years active2009–present
LabelsUniversal Music India, Lions Pride Music (Denmark), Frontiers Records
Websitewww.girishandthechronicles.com
Members
  • Girish Pradhan
  • Suraz Karki
  • Yogesh Pradhan
  • Nagen Mongranti

Girish and The Chronicles also known as GATC, is an Indian Hard rock/Melodic Rock/Heavy Metal band from Gangtok, Sikkim, formed in 2009, by Vocalist Girish Pradhan. [1]The line-up consists of Girish Pradhan on the Vocals, Yogesh Pradhan on the Bass, Suraz Sun on the Lead Guitars and Nagen Mongrati on the Drums. They have been based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, since 2013.[2][3] The band has 2 Studio albums with a third one scheduled to release on February 11, 2022.

Brief History[]

The band released their debut album Back On Earth in 2014, with Universal Music Group, India.[4][5][6] They released their second album, Rock The Highway[7][8][9], with a Denmark based record label, Lions Pride Music, in April 2020.[10][11] The band is scheduled to release their third studio album, titled, Hail To The Heroes, via Frontiers Records on February 11, 2022.[12][9]

GATC have opened for/shared stage with/supported, Hoobastank (2013[13]), Poets of The Fall (St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, 2016[14]), Destruction (Bangalore Open Air, 2014[15]), TesseracT (IISc Bangalore, 2019[16]) over the years and also backed Chris Adler in his The Chris Adler Experience tour,[17] in India, in 2019, Nazareth, (2021, UrRock Fest, Sarnen, Switzerland) [18][19][20][21]

Back On Earth (Album, 2014)

The plans to release a debut album had been a long overdue for the band, since their jamming days in 2006. They had already independently released several singles like Angel, The Golden Crown, Loaded, A new beginning, Smile Little Child and Yesteryears, on their YouTube channel (from 2009-2012). [22]The band was still trying to figure out the best way to release an album, as it was a point in time, when streaming music on apps, simply didn’t exist for majority of the masses, specially in North East India. Spotify hadn’t launched in India and itunes was something that not everyone had access to. The culture of buying CDs had completely died off. Moreover, the band was more focused on touring and were themselves not aware of a trend in music steaming. YouTube was the only reliable platform for them to release songs on. These factors contributed to the band not taking much interest in releasing an album, as they felt it would just be a waste. All the songs were written in different timelines, but started taking the shape of an album.

By 2012, the band was ready with a set of 7-8 songs, which included songs like Ride To Hell, I Wanna Get That Lovin’ again and the singles which which they had previously released. This was a year when the band had moved to Hong Kong for a year as a house band in the clubs out there.  The job oriented lifestyle further stopped the band from progressing, in terms of releasing an album. The band returned to India in early 2013 and in a span of 3 months, finally compiled an album. Although still unsure of the method of release, they kept it on hold. The band finally relocated to the city of Bangalore at around April of 2013, where the band visited the studios and re-recorded the vocals on some of the songs.

In the middle of the year, the band successfully got in touch with Universal Music India and got a deal to release an album, with some help from their management at the time. They further wrote a few newer songs such as End of Civilization and Born With a Big Attitude. They also finished recording some older demos such as Revolving Barrel. The entire rhythm guitar section was re-recorded with Les Pauls, replacing the earlier Fender Stratocaster + Telecaster versions. The band named the album as Back On Earth and finally released it internationally via Universal Music India, with Angel being featured on VH1 along with a six city Hard Rock Cafe tour. [23][24][25][26]

The album did not make a large impact and it failed to reach the intended audience, according to the band. Later, the entire album was shot with Music Mojo (Kappa TV) and was released on their YouTube channel, which helped the songs reach out to a wider audience. At around 2019, the band got in touch with the label and decided to take down the album from all the streaming platforms, as they felt that a reissue was much needed in the future. They haven’t announced anything till date.

Rock The Highway (Album, 2020)

The idea of releasing a second GATC album had been building up for many years, since their last album release (Back on Earth), in 2014. It became concrete with the band releasing a new single video, named Rock The Highway, in New Year’s Eve of 2018. It was first featured on the Canadian online melodic rock magazine, Sleaze Roxx.[27] Soon after, the band was approached by a Denmark based Record Label, Lions Pride Music, for an album deal. It was perfect timing, as the band had already written many demos and were ready to start recording a new album. The album release date was set to April 27, 2020 and it was to be named, Rock The Highway. [28][8][9]

After a year, the band released a video for, Rock ‘n’ Roll is Here To Stay, officially announcing their second studio album, Rock The Highway, on March 29, 2020. [29][30] It was filmed by Cary Hubbs, a Prague based film maker, originally from Los Angeles, during his visit to Bengaluru, India. [31] The song was well received by fans and critics alike and reached a wide Hard Rock/Metal audience, all over the world, like never seen before by the band. The US based online magazine, MetalSucks, was one of the biggest factors in introducing the band to a newer audience, who featured the song upon its release. Axl Rosenberg of MetalSucks wrote: “It sounds exactly like something Riki Rachtman woulda played on Headbanger’s Ball in the late ’80s or early ’90s, and I mean that in the best possible way”. [32] The song received praises from prominent names in the world of Metal, such as Chris Adler and Thomas Gabriel. [33] Although, Girish Pradhan had also already joined Firstborne, a side project lead by Chris Adler along with James LoMenzo and Myrone by then.

Rock the Highway, The Album, was finally released on April 27, 2020, with the video for Identity Crisis. The Canadian online magazine, Sleaze Roxx was one of the first to feature the song. [34], along with Rolling Stones India.[35]

Rolling Stones India wrote: “Standing at about one hour and four minutes, Bengaluru-based, Gangtok bred act Girish and the Chronicles’ new album Rock the Highway is pretty much pure mayhem for any fan of Eighties rock and metal. Across 13 songs that don’t bow down to any gimmicks and offer everything from glam metal to rock ‘n roll, frontman Girish Pradhan is at his soaring, pitch-perfect best”. [36]

MetalSucks, listed Rock The Highway, third position in, ‘Vince Neilstein’s Top 15 Metal Albums of 2020’. [37] [38]

Many other magazines listed the album as one of the top rated album released that year [39] [40]

Although the band was greatly affected by the pandemic, this album was to a certain extent, a turning point in their career, getting recognition around the world. They also finally started talks of a third album with Frontiers Records soon after.

Performance at UrRock Festival, Switzerland.

In November 13 and 14, 2021, the band performed at Ur Rock Music Festival,[41][42][43] as the first headliners in Sarnen, Switzerland, sharing stage with Nazareth. The festival included other notable names such as Firewind, Orden Ogan, Coroner, Savage Messiah, Rage and more.[44][45] It was for the first time, a band from Sikkim, had become a part of an international Hard Rock/Metal festival, in the European continent. GATC was to perform on the 14th of November, however they also performed on the 13th, as the first headliner, due to Coroner cancelling their show that night. The band was well received and both the shows were successful, with them getting some good media coverage and new fans in Switzerland. [46]

Hail To The Heroes (Album 2022)

In early 2021, the band signed a multi-album deal with Frontiers Records.[47][48][49][50] With that, GATC became the first ever Indian band to get signed by the label.

The band released their first single, “Lovers’ Train[51][52][53][54][55]”, off their upcoming album, with Frontiers Records on November 11, 2021. It was released along with an artwork as a single. The band were in Switzerland, for UrRock Festival during its release and also performed this song live out there.

Soon after, GATC released a music video for “Primeval Desire”, on December 2, 2021, also announcing[56] their 3rd studio album, “Hail To The Heroes”, to be released on February 11, 2022, via Frontiers Records.[57][12][58][59][60][61] Axl Rosenburg of MetalSucks wrote: Get ready to party like it’s 1989: Girish and the Chronicles, who are arguably* the best hair metal band out there right now, have released a new song called “Primeval Desire.” [62]

Their third release and their second music Video, also the title track to the album, “Hail to The Heroes”, was released on January 14, 2022.[63][64][65][66] It was featured on Metal Injection which wrote, “The single pays tribute to the rock and metal heroes of the '80s that have sadly left this world while also offering a positive message of unity. As for the music, it does an excellent job of memorializing the legends that have gone before us all”. [67]

Discography Summary:

Back On Earth (Album, 2014)

Endless Road (Single, 2016)[68][69]

Rock The Highway (Album, 2020)

Lovers’ Train (Single, Nov 2021)

Primeval Desire (Music Video, Dec 2021)

Hail To The Heroes (Music Video, Jan 2022)

Members[]

  • Girish Pradhan – Vocals/Guitars
  • Suraz Sun – Lead guitars
  • Yogesh Pradhan – Bass guitars/Chief studio producer/Keyboards(Studio)
  • Nagen Mongranti – Drums

Discography[]

  • Back on Earth (2014)
  • Rock the Highway (2020)
  • Hail to the Heroes (2022)

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Top of the rock brigade". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  2. ^ "A Detailed Conversation with Vocalist Extraordinaire Girish Pradhan". 7 February 2013.
  3. ^ "Musical journey of Girish Pradhan - Times of India". The Times of India.
  4. ^ "Popular Sikkim band cuts global album". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  5. ^ "'The metal scene here is really good'". Deccan Herald. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Girish and the Chronicles' first stop is Mumbai for debut album launch tour". www.radioandmusic.com. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  7. ^ "6 Things We Learned About Girish and the Chronicles and 'Rock The Highway' -". My Site. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Girish And The Chronicles – Rock The Highway (Album Review)". Sonic Perspectives. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  9. ^ a b c "GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES Release Second Studio Album 'Rock The Highway' (April 27th, 2020) | News @ Metal Forces Magazine". Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  10. ^ Vondrušová, Jana. "Girish & The Chronicles - Rock The Highway". musicfromtheheart.eu. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  11. ^ Kiss, Attila (11 May 2020). "GIRISH And The CHRONICLES - Rock The Highway (Album Review)". cgcmpodcast.com. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  12. ^ a b Rosenberg, Axl (2 December 2021). "Girish and the Chronicles Release Anthemic New Rager "Primeval Desire"". MetalSucks. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  13. ^ m.g, Gokul (22 January 2019). "Top of the rock brigade". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  14. ^ "Poets Of The Fall: Live in Bangalore, St Johns Medical College | What's Hot". Whats Hot. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  15. ^ "GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES". Indian Metal Scene. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  16. ^ "Pravega Pro-Nites Day III, with TesseracT". insider.in. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  17. ^ Blabbermouth (15 November 2019). "Watch CHRIS ADLER Perform LAMB OF GOD, MEGADETH Classics With Indian Musicians". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  18. ^ "Sikkim's Girish And The Chronicles, premier rock band to head Switzerland for UR Rock Music Festival". INSIDE NE. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  19. ^ "Sikkim's Premier Rock Band 'GATC' To Head For Switzerland-Based Music Fest". Northeast Today. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  20. ^ Deka, Rifa (19 September 2021). "Girish And The Chronicles signs with Italian label Frontiers Music". EastMojo. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  21. ^ "GATC Ready to Rock Switzerland". Sikkimexpress. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  22. ^ "Musical journey of Girish Pradhan - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  23. ^ "Back On Earth by Girish and The Chronicles | WhatsTheScene?". Whatsthescene. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Girish And The Chronicles - Back On Earth (2014) - METAL JUKEBOX". www.metal-jukebox.net. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  25. ^ "'The metal scene here is really good'". Deccan Herald. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  26. ^ "Popular Sikkim band cuts global album". Business Standard. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  27. ^ Olivier (5 January 2019). "Girish and The Chronicles release video for "Rock The Highway"". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  28. ^ "6 Things We Learned About Girish and the Chronicles and 'Rock The Highway' -". My Site. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  29. ^ Olivier (29 March 2020). "Girish and The Chronicles unleash video for new single "Rock 'N' Roll Is Here To Stay"". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  30. ^ Rosenberg, Axl (3 April 2020). "Indian Band Girish and the Chronicles Doing Hair Metal Better Than Pretty Much Anyone Else". MetalSucks. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  31. ^ "Cary Hubbs - Cinematographer - Content Creator". Cary Hubbs - Cinematographer - Content Creator. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  32. ^ Rosenberg, Axl (3 April 2020). "Indian Band Girish and the Chronicles Doing Hair Metal Better Than Pretty Much Anyone Else". MetalSucks. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  33. ^ "Sikkim's Premier Rock Band 'GATC' To Head For Switzerland-Based Music Fest". Northeast Today. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  34. ^ Olivier (27 April 2020). "Girish and The Chronicles unleash video for new single "Identity Crisis"". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  35. ^ "6 Things We Learned About Girish and the Chronicles and 'Rock The Highway' -". My Site. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  36. ^ "6 Things We Learned About Girish and the Chronicles and 'Rock The Highway' -". My Site. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  37. ^ Neilstein, Vince (1 December 2020). "Vince Neilstein's Top Fifteen Metal Albums of 2020". MetalSucks. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  38. ^ "Sikkim's Rock Band "Girish and The Chronicles" Album Ranked 3rd in Metal List". Northeast Today. 7 December 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  39. ^ "Girish And The Chronicles – Rock The Highway (Album Review)". Sonic Perspectives. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  40. ^ "GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES - Rock The Highway [Album Reviews ]". Metal Express Radio. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  41. ^ "GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES (GATC) | Urrock Festival". www.urrock.ch. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  42. ^ Zwyssig, Markus. "Indische Hardrockband Girish Pradhan spielt am Urrock-Festival". Luzerner Zeitung. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  43. ^ "Sikkim's Girish And The Chronicles, premier rock band to head Switzerland for UR Rock Music Festival". INSIDE NE. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  44. ^ "UrRock Musik Festival 2021 - 11/11/2021 (4 days) - Sarnen - Obwalden - Switzerland | Concerts-Metal Calendar". en.concerts-metal.com. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  45. ^ "Startseite | Urrock Festival". www.urrock.ch. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  46. ^ summittimes165 (15 November 2021). "GaTC ROCK SARNEN, SWITZERLAND". summittimes. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  47. ^ "GIRISH & THE CHRONICLES sign to FRONTIERS MUSIC Srl". PlanetMosh. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  48. ^ "GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES Sign Multi-Album Deal With Frontiers Music Srl (March 10th, 2021) | News @ Metal Forces Magazine". Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  49. ^ "Girish And The Chronicles Become First Indian Band To Sign With Frontiers Records • TotalRock". TotalRock. 11 March 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  50. ^ Srl, Frontiers Music. "Frontiers Music Srl | Record Label". Frontiers Music Srl. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  51. ^ Neilstein, Vince (2 November 2021). "Girish and the Chronicles Hop On Board the "Lovers' Train"". MetalSucks. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  52. ^ Srl, Frontiers Music. "Frontiers Music Srl | Record Label". Frontiers Music Srl. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  53. ^ Roxx. "GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES kündigen neue Single "Lovers' Train" an". www.metalfactory.ch (in German). Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  54. ^ "GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES : 'Lovers' Train' – new single by highly touted Indian hard rock act". R o c k 'N' L o a d. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  55. ^ "Girish & The Chronicles are getting on the "Lovers' Train"". Stargazed Magazine. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  56. ^ "GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES To Release New Studio Album 'Hail To The Heroes' In February; Premiere 'Primeval Desire' Music Video (December 2nd, 2021) | News @ Metal Forces Magazine". Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  57. ^ "GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES Announce New Studio Album 'Hail to The Heroes,' Official Music Video for 'Primeval Desire' Available". Sonic Perspectives. 4 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  58. ^ Andy Thorley (4 December 2021). "THE EVENING CHRONICLES". Maximum Volume Music. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  59. ^ "Girish And The Chronicles: il nuovo album in arrivo per Febbraio; lanciato il singolo/video Primeval Desire | MelodicRock.it". www.melodicrock.it (in Italian). Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  60. ^ Roxx. "GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES kündigen neues Album an. Neue Single "Primeval Desire" als Clip jetzt da!". www.metalfactory.ch (in German). Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  61. ^ "Girish And The Chronicles - New Single Out". Metal Storm. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  62. ^ Rosenberg, Axl (2 December 2021). "Girish and the Chronicles Release Anthemic New Rager "Primeval Desire"". MetalSucks. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  63. ^ "GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES Premiere 'Hail To The Heroes' Music Video (January 14th, 2022) | News @ Metal Forces Magazine". Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  64. ^ Olivier (14 January 2022). "Girish And The Chronicles unveil video for title track of upcoming album 'Hail To The Heroes'". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  65. ^ Editor, Luca Bernasconi-Website; Fotografia, Resp; Classe 1972, News; fotografo, fotografo professionista rock-metal di matrice prettamente “old school” Come; Metallus.it, ho collaborato con; Truemetal.it; dal 2005, Metal Hammer Italia e; Nel 2015, Sino Alla Chiusura; Loud, sono stato fotografo ufficiale di Metal Maniac Il 9 maggio 2016 assieme alla redazione di Metal Maniacfaccio partire la nuova avventura (14 January 2022). "GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES - I dettagli del nuovo album 'Hail To The Heroes', video della title-track online". Loud and Proud (in Italian). Retrieved 18 January 2022. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  66. ^ Kennelty, Greg. "GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES Pays Tribute To '80s Metal With "Hail To The Heroes"". Metal Injection. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  67. ^ Kennelty, Greg. "GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES Pays Tribute To '80s Metal With "Hail To The Heroes"". Metal Injection. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  68. ^ "Roadster's 'The Endless Road': Exploring Wanderlust". afaqs!. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  69. ^ "Roadster Presents To You 'The Endless Road'". myntra. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""