A tribute to Streetlamp

Just watched Rock On last evening. Being a guitarist and a band-member myself, I was completely immersed in the movie, and the hangover still exists. All through the movie I couldn't help but miss my band - Streetlamp it was called - and look back on how much fun we had as band and as friends, practicing at IIT Bombay Music room, or playing on the lawns of H-9 during acoustic dusks, at the Open Air Theatre and the likes.


Streetlamp: Sumitken, Reddy, me, Vibhu, Sridhar

Background: While watching a senior band play at their first Acoustic Dusk at IIT Bombay in the middle of 2003, two wingmates, Sridhar (A rock buff) and Mayank (a newbie) were talking to each other:
ES: "We should be doing something like that!"
MJ: "I know, but dude we can't play like that! I just know some chords and some rhythm".
ES: "Never mind, we'll keep learning"
MJ: "And drummer?"
ES: "I know someone who's learning, his name is Vikas Reddy"
MJ: "And I know one guitarist, Sumit, we come from the same city. He wanted to play as well. He's here only, lets talk! Will you do bass?"
ES: "Yes, I will learn the bass. Dude, we'll kickass!" (that's Sridhar's fav word)

SK: "I was just waiting for this! I'm in! Lets play!"
ES: "We need a singer man!"
MJ: "Arre vo freshie aaya hai na, Vibhu, jisko Freshie GC mein gawaaya tha, usko pakadte hain ;-) Saale ne wonderwall aur jhankaar beats achcha gaaya tha."

.... and thats how a group of enthusiasts, not knowing 'M' of music theory, no formal training, but having the passion to play and getting the kick out of playing music (or even the thought of it), came together to practice.

The name: A night before the acoustic dusk, the IITB music room is usually heavily booked for practice. Since we didn't get a slot last day, were sitting on the road outside SAC, with an acoustic guitar, and practicing for our first stage performance: About a girl (Nirvana), I am mine (Pearl Jam) and Like a stone (Audioslave). "We don't have a name yet. How are we going to announce us as?" Hundreds of options came up, the closest match being from the deadly combo of Vibhu-Sridhar, "Diamond Custard" (as against Pearl Jam). Finally, we chose Streetlamp, dedicating it to the lamp of the street under which we practiced the last night. And then to add a meaning to it, the cliched-philosophical me said "Like this streetlamp which shows the light to this dark street, we shine out, showing light to the people in this world." :D :D :D

The music we played: We existed as a band for over 2 years, played mainly Contemporary, classic, grunge and punk. Bands that we covered include Metallica, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Audioslave, RATM, Parikrama, SOAD, Creed and Foo fighters. Probably the only IITB band to cover (or tried to cover) as many bands and songs. Following this, life took turns... few went on to play different forms of music, others got busy with life and job and reached different parts of the world.

High Hopes: I hope that we, like Rob, Adi, Joe and KD, get to see each other once more, and play once again. And, hope that a day comes when we are able to have a composed album as well! :-)

"The grass was greener
The light was brighter
With friends surrounded
The nights of wonder"

About us:

Streetlamp TM
(c) 2003, All rights reserved

Members
Sumit (Rhythm/Backing vocals): Known as Ken, Sumitken, pauna etc. Apart from dressing himself trying to be "cool", "trendy", "fashionable", he plays some amazing music. In spite of all frustrations created by fellow band members, he always managed to keep smiling - and he would only go to "Saala reddy b****c***, hamesha phone bajta hai iska", "Vibhu, m****c****, ek line to dhang se gaa de". Presently minting money with Lehman Brothers at London.

Reddy (Drummer/Backing vocals): The heavy metal drummer, always felt that we were a misfit for him as he was only made for heavy metal :P Every jam session had to end with one death metal being sung by Reddy with his opening roar "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAA". And yeah, always interruped by phone calls during practice sessions! :D So much that we had to make some ground rules regarding usage of mobile in music room! Presently travelling around the world with Schlumberger.

Vibhu (Lead Singer): Blessed with voice, misplaced with timing! Thats how we remember Vibhu :-) Any crazy thing being done by us would be ideated by Vibhu. B it the Hindi version of In Bloom (Khaane ke liye, bachche bech do) or taking Reddy's case, Vibhu would take the lead. Lyrics, Vibhu and Sumit never got along :D Half of our practice time would be spent sumit abusing vibhu on forgetting lyrics and vibhu telling "Arre ho jayega". Currently enjoying his holidays and packing for his world tour with Schlumberger.

Sridhar (Bass): Amongst us, I feel that the learning curve has been steepest for Sridhar. He picked up the bass guitar for the 1st time in our first practice session, and by his fourth year, he was playing RHCP bass-lines! A partner-in-crime with Vibhu, he would have his set of crazy suggestions - like "let's kill someone during our performance". I can't forget the "ChEA symposium" heavy metal song and riff composed by him! :-) Presently enjoying home food while working with Pramati in Hyderabad.

me (Leads/Rhythm/Backing vocals): Ok, well, nothing really interesting here... ;-) Presently screwing his ass off (don't know why!) at IIM Bangalore.