When rival bands Weapon Shop and !Banned joined forces in 2010, what resulted was a single unit bound by protest poetry and tight instrumental arrangements. Though Underground Authority became popular in their hometown of Kolkata, right from the start, they shot to fame with their appearance in the popular TV reality show, India’s Got Talent Khoj 2. Fresh from a power packed performance at the NH7 Weekender Pune, the band speaks to the Mumbai Age about their genesis, their belief in Communism and more.
How did you decide to collaborate and form a single unit from being two different bands?
Initially we were two rival bands, each one trying to win against the other. This created a healthy rivalry. When Weapon Shop and !Banned broke up, the guys decided to hook up with each other and formed a band Skydive, which was later rechristened as Underground Authority.
Anti-establishment, protest poetry seems to be a theme of many of your songs. Do you think that your original songs will branch out more in terms of theme?
Yes, in fact it does. For example, our latest song Azad speaks about freedom from oppression and persecution. But at the same time we have groovy songs like Gypsy, which is there to satiate your musical palette.
One could even say that the principle of Communism drives you. How did you first come to follow this ideology? Do you think that it has a place in today’s world?
“You should get what you deserve” — This is what is everybody’s mantra, everyone’s wish. Communism stands for giving everyone what they deserve. We have been following this ideology since we were small, probably during our early teenage years. It does have a significant place in today’s world.
Revolution begins from the most common and simple places. One need not run around with a gun to prove a point. Standing up for yourself is the crux of Underground Authority. Communism is one of the means of achieving this.
Do you think that India’s Got Talent helped you to become nationally renowned from a being locally popular band?
Absolutely. We got a chance to perform in front of huge audiences and the episodes were telecast in Prime Time in a major TV channel. We have also won a lot of music competitions throughout India and that has also helped create a fan base. It has also honed our skills in performing in front of various audiences.
You have performed at large-scale events like the Hornbill International Rock Competition and India’s Got Talent as well as more intimate venues. Which do you prefer and why?
We don’t have any fixed preferences. Our motto is to spread our music to all parts of the world irrespective of the kind of venue it offers. We have played in the most elaborate festivals, and shows. At the same time we have also played in remote places like South Dinajpur, Rae Bareilley and the outskirts of Assam.
How does it feel now to be a part of NH7 Weekender?
The festival is not just about music — it’s an experience. Pune is the third Weekender that we were in, and every year its just keeps getting better.
