2007 – Iron Maiden
2008 – Megadeth and Machine Head
2009 – Iron Maiden, De Profundis, Cyanide Serenity, Kryptos, Synaps and so on
2010 – Backstreet Boys and Richard Marx

If the 2010 line up has you going WTF, trust me, you’re not the only one. Even the Backstreet Boys and Richard Marx fanboys and fanwomen are going absolutely ballistic about the whole hoopla surrounding ‘Rock in India’ this year. But obviously, they’re not spewing the kind of vitriol that a dedicated metal fan has been venting out against the organizers for their supposedly horrendous set of choices.

Some very generous vandal has now disfigured the site Rock in India to show the following stuff:

I am not yet certain if DNA Networks is pulling a huge one on the fans and actually planning to bring in some stud level band on the actual days of the concert. However, a quick look at the Backstreet Boys website does indicate that their hallowed unmistakable presence will be there for all to behold on the day of the show.

I shudder to think of what I’d have to do if I were compelled to review the show and write a three pager on it for the magazine.

If this is purely a viral campaign, the guy who thought of it is an absolute genius. However, if this is true, the kamikaze need to learn a few lessons from the organizers on how best to turn a possibly reputed name in the international rock and metal scene into complete mud in a short span of time.

We could’ve had our own metal version of Woodstock, but maybe, just maybe, we’re not yet ready for one yet.

Such is life.

At least if this thing is to be believed. Looks like my constant chant of Legodeth’s Embrace me now, Sweet Mother Death was finally heard.

I know of very few people out there that share my name and a random ego-surfing trip resulted in this being thrown up.

In other news, Saarang 2010 was super good fun, interviewing Hammerfall further showcases the difference between seasoned pro-bands and the newer bands, mostly due to interview practice that the former has had vis-a-vis their n00b counterparts.

Now that’s a school I’d like to visit for a guided tour!

Picture sanitized to protect identity of said person, and to prevent me from being sued for defamation or whatever else can be thrown at me! Spelling FAIL.

Turns out, I’ve now got a new nickname courtesy of the new batch of exchange students that got to campus in term 7 at ISB.

I’m supposedly Waldo, this tall, thin character with big glasses and a striped sweat-shirt, which just about describes how I looked the first evening our flat-mates threw a party last week, where these students from various B-schools were all invited.

Given how tough it is to pronounce my name, ‘Hari’, I think Waldo will do just fine! This character is basically shown amongst a bunch of people, usually numbering in the hundreds and the task at hand is to spot him in the crowd. There’s apparently an interactive version on video gaming consoles too, which require you to spot him, just like in the original paper versions.

Since I can blend in with crowds easily and slip past unnoticed (Mossad, are you listening?!), I’d say this is indeed a proper nickname! Oh, and just for added effect, here’s Waldo for you!

I just need to grow my hair and lose some weight!

Last heard from the organizers at IIT Madras, Hammerfall, the Swedish power metal band was scheduled to perform at this year’s edition of Saarang. You’d have no doubt read about it online in one of many websites, including, possibly an article here.

In a recent development, it turns out that it is not only Hammerfall, but also Skid Row that will be performing that same evening on that same stage. These guys have managed to pull off a masterful coup and signed on two bands to play on the same evening!!

No Sebastian Bach, but instead, Johnny Solinger will do the honours. Two big bands on the same stage on a breezy January night in Chennai is probably one of definitely the coolest thing to have happened so far as Saarang 2010 is concerned!

Hopefully, circumstances will give me an opportunity to take a day out to cover the event. Fingers are crossed!

“Red!”, he said, grinning widely as he walked past Pooja, who gave him a dirty stare reserved for the most lecherous of men.

Perplexed, he walked along the corridor and repeated said action with Divya. “Skin colour!”, he said and had a near death experience when she slapped him and this almost resulted in him being decapitated by the force exerted in her action.

He walked along to class, twice bitten and mouth shut, wondering why it was ok for those women to discuss what colour their bra was in public, but that he was mauled for it merely because he said what was on their facebook status message back at them.

The times are changing, or are they really?^*

PS – My dear cousin, Devrat wants to raise awareness of testicular cancer by doing something similar with male underwear, based on his last facebook status.

Well, here goes – Brown checks in a Tartan pattern. Yes, they make boxers in psychedelic colours. Go figure!

^*Incident depicted above is fictitious and any resemblance to anyone living or dead is because you’ve got a warped, perverted mind and only the hot shrink lady next door can save you.