A rocking evening

While Saturday nights are easily the most looked forward to for Chennai’s party goers and club hoppers alike, this one was exactly what the doctor ordered. Geoffrey’s at the Radha Regent in Koyambedu, had a triple band ensemble lined up for the crowd, that perhaps took its own time to pick up, but certainly had enthusiastic rock lovers on their feet.This event was part of a series of live music shows under the Unseen Underground banner.First to hit the stage was Djinns Lament, a progressive metal outfit that got the crowd warmed up with some of their original compositions as well as a few Opeth tracks, including Demon of the Fall. Their barely week-old release of a track titled, Sift, (which seems to be going viral online) was also received with much appreciation.Shifting the pace by virtue of their genre was another group, now a familiar name in the city’s music circuit: classic rock group, White Lady. If the 80s and 90s spell some of your favourite artists, you might have enjoyed their rendition of Dream On (Aerosmith), Kids Wanna Rock (Bryan Adams) and, of course, Back in Black (ACDC).Also jamming with them on a blues instrumental, was guest drummer — Iowa- based Kaleb Warnock, who incidentally met the band during an interview, while on an on-going journalism internship in the city. Kaleb says, “It was really awesome to be able to do this, and I think compared to back home where a casual show like this one would not have had too many takers, Chennai has a really supportive vibe for musicians.” The last performance of the night came from acoustic three piece group, Jack, Johnnie and the Old Monk. If you listen carefully to the lyrics of their title track, you will realise the rather open secret that inspired their band name. No doubt, intoxication can be a good thing now and then, especially when it produces such good music.