It’s spicy, tangy, orange and it’s music. Mad Orange Fireworks, a four-piece act based out of Bengaluru, the band defines their music as Orange Rock. “If John Mayer sang like Dave Mathews, had Flea on bass and Gavin Harrison on drums, Orange Rock would be the result,” explains Micheal. He further adds, “While brainstorming for the band name, we somehow felt that our music was related to the colour. And hence, the name Orange Rock.”
The vocalist quit a steady lucrative IT job to pursue what he always loved doing - music. “A bunch of songs kept piling up as just rough drafts for seven years. I was looking for the right people to work it out with. That was when I met Sharavan Bendapudi, the bassist and Kaushik Kumar, who joined the band as the drummer.” Orange Rock was later on joined by another guitarist, Ramanan Chandramouli.
Over a year old, the band has composed about 16 original compositions. Unlike other bands where just a few do vocals, every one here is a vocalist. “When I brought the band together, I made sure everybody in the band sings, because if each of us share parts of the one song, it will be layered well and will give it an interesting audio appeal.”
Talking about where they draw their music from, he says, “Our music, lyrically, is something people can connect to. John Mayer and The Beatles, which I grew up listening to, are huge influences. Our sings are based on simple stuff life has taught us.”
With 40 shows to their credit, the band is now planning to spread their music across the country. “We are a little more established in Bengaluru; at most of our shows, there is always a bunch that knows and sings along to our songs.”
So while he may be the linchpin, with all four contributing to vocals, doesn’t the band have their share of artistic differences? “There is beauty in conflict. And our music is also something like that. All of us have different music tastes and different influences. I have always been fond of Mayer and Dave Mathews. While Kaushik prefers punk like Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Shravan on the other hand is a complete metal head. When we get together to perform, there is a lot of conflict that happens but somehow falls into place perfectly.”
High off their successful first year, the band is currently pre-producing their debut album. “We are presently experimenting on recording our singles. We are also working out on a budget to record our songs. By year-end, we are sure to have something out,” Micheal shares. The guitarist is also currently teaching music at Taaqademy, a rock school in Bengaluru. Even though it is the only school of rock in the South, taking up a ‘job’ was something that Micheal never thought he’d do. Once in though, he feels differently. “I quit a steady paying job, never wanting to go back to a ‘system’. But the studio facility is amazing and is also one of the best architectural places. I love working here as I get to pass music on to the next generation. Its not a traditional school with daily fixed routine. The classes are custom-made and the whole concept is to make space for music.”
Orange Rock will make its Hyderabad debut today, and they can’t be more excited. “We are expecting a decent crowd. We have heard it is a beautiful city and are very happy to play here. Apart from our original compositions, we will also be playing songs by Beatles and John Mayer.” The band will be performing at Hard Rock Cafe, Banjara Hills, at 9 pm.
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