About this user
Like most Indian rock bands, motherjane traces its origins to one particular day when a bunch of talented college going friends found their calling in rock.
What's peculiar about this start was that it was hastily put together by John Thomas (the college arts club secretary) to avert a potential disaster. Motherjane was formed to fill in for the Professional act which had suddenly opted out of the Rock show. The first stroke of luck for motherjane had sounded !
In 1996, featuring the combined talents of John Thomas(Drums), Clyde Rozario (Bass), Mithun (Guitars) and Laji (Vocals), the band went on to make an explosive debut wowing their peers within a week of their formation.
motherjane then went thru the agonizing process of losing the talents of 2 of its founding members who went in pursuit of their individual dreams. By 1999 the mercurial and talented Baiju took over duties as axeman &, motherjane entered a partial state of limbo becoming a 3 member team with John & Clyde still holding on.
For over a year the band played metal songs (without a vocalist!) at The Ancient Mariner" a floating restaurant in Kochi to an unsuspecting & astounded audience that walked into the quaint pier like structure built in the backwaters.
In 2000, a young businessman by the name of Suraj Mani, chanced into "The ancient mariner" and egged on by his friend, jammed with the band. Almost coincidently at the same time a talented young guitarist called Rex also moved into this loosely bound group.
Within a week of juggling his time between work and music, Suraj was already trying to move on. Attempting to excuse himself with an observation on the lack of future that confronts cover bands, his proposed exit lines were, "If we were making our own music, it would mean something. At least then 10 years down the line, we can't be just replaced by the next band of talented young musicians who would play these covers with more energy." Baiju looked up and said, "lets make a song"
That moment for any band heralds its real beginning. By 2001-02 the band had composed, performed and recorded 9 songs in an album that they called "insane biography". During this period, the band was already coping with the logistical horrors of practice & recording, since Suraj had shifted base to Bangalore. Overcoming its difficulties, the band went on to perform all over the Indian sub continent gaining from strength to strength and winning numerous competitions and awards. Most notable amongst them was the award for best Indian rock album in the year 2002-03.
Motherjane, (the band's guardian angel- named in homage to the bands belief that music is by far the best and purest drug in the world) was making her presence felt and her sons heard!
Then Rex left in 2002.
For 2 years the band went thru stand in guitarists for their rhythm section, all the while performing, learning and growing in stature. Always working for the inevitable success that they craved, motherjane welcomed Deepu in late 2004. Once again the vibe was back and within 6 months the band was composing new material.
The band will be bringing out their new album titled "Maktub" in 2007 and has further developed their sound into something that is uniquely motherjane and attracts a cult following amongst the thinking rocker.
motherjane's fascinating musical style flows with the melody of rural India, seethes with the raw aggression of rock and is inlaid with lyrics of exquisite insight .The band is going to re-record "insane biography" along with "Maktub" as a special tribute to its fans.
The band is now looking for an international label interested in taking motherjane & Indian rock on its rightful journey to glory. If there is one thing that motherjane has lived by, it is the gut feeling that success is more about what one overcomes than just achievements.
This band has overcome much more than the milestones it is known for and is still growing stronger and stronger on its journey to reach its world wide audience.
It seems apt here to leave with the lyrics of "walk on" from the album "Insane Biography"-
"I'm the immortal, baptized in fire
Unable to die unless I desire
I'm the light piercing the darkest dawn
I'm the human spirit, walking on."
Welcome to the band .
