TGLife: A motley crew of musicians form a band that prides itself on loud badass rock. Was that always the aim, right from the get-go?
Sujit: The whole story started with just wanting to re-record an old song of mine and while we sat in one room together, a whole new song was written on the spot. The song was recorded the next day. That songwriting chemistry along with the common love for drinking and partying got the band formed.
Howard: What Sujit said. We are a band that is loud and proud about everything we do.
TGLife: How does a band collaborate on music when one member is in America and the others in Mumbai? Sujit, why was it so important to continue this connection to Overhung, when you are fronting rock bands in America now and working on more original music?
Sujit: We are constantly in touch and writing as well and when you have the Internet and things like Skype, why not use it? The connection to Overhung is very very strong. I possibly have a better connection with the band members than real family. The journey in America I can say has just begun, while already having played close to a 100 shows, with two of my bands 'Never Elected' and 'Static Voodoo' both having started with recording our debut EPs.
Howard - Sujit being in the states was tough on the band for awhile. But we finally figured out how to make it work for us. Right now we feel we are positioned to debut abroad especially with the love we have been shown through Sujit.
TGLife: There's a massive Goa connection to the album Moving Ahead and for the band too. How did that happen?
Sujit: Well, firstly we have two Goans, one half Goan and a Malayalee who feels more Goan than all the others put together. I personally always ran away from Bombay and would come spend time in Goa every time I could. At one point, when everything seemed lost I spent a few days in a friend’s house where I ended up on a lyric writing spree. Two of the songs are on Moving Ahead and some of them are on the upcoming Static Voodoo and Never Elected Eps as well.
Howard: Goa is in our blood. I’m Goan, so is Crosby. Sheldon’s mom is Goan and Sujit grew up with Goans. I also love feni. And we always have great gigs in Goa.
TGLife: What's your music like, and what sets you apart from the crowd?
Sujit: Our music has a lot to do with what we actually do and live by - debauchery. We also have a serious side that is shown in a song called Waste, that talks about some serious problems prevalent in the country and the world like a messed-up education system, female feoticide, infanticide and religious warfare.
Howard: We’re honest and have no pretenses. Hard rock has always been an outsider genre and we just make sure we like our music. That translates to listeners as well, especially live. We are a party!
TGLife: You guys can be called veterans of the Indian music scene. How far have we come as an industry since all of you started many moons ago?
Sujit: I'd say we are still learning and growing. We sure have come a long way from the times when bands were booed if they did not play covers. Lots of very talented bands out there that are easily on par with some of the big wigs from the west. Funding still seems to be a huge problem for this industry though.
Howard: Yeah, we are stalwarts aren’t we? Besides the music aspect, understanding the industry, being media savvy etc are all part and parcel of any successful act. We are figuring it out together. The bottom line is, if you want to get something done, and done right, do it yourself!
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Overhung
Sujit Kumar: Vocals
Howard Pereira: Guitars
Sheldon Dixon: Drums
Crosby Fernandes: Bass
