Band biography:
Hourglass was an instinctive outcome of the creative streak of 5 talented rockers, who had known only one way of life – music. Jamming at Himanshu’s place (in spite of muffled drums and gagged amps), they suddenly saw their dream of making it big on the music scene materialize. Over time songs were shortlisted, performances were scheduled and dreams re-dreamt. Ambition had found its seekers and music had found its means. The hourglass had turned… and there was no looking back for the band.
The different band members brought in experience of their past performances with many other bands in Mumbai and Hyderabad (Silent Lucidity, Wire Revelations, C#, Default, Jaundice).The outcome was a band which was neither limited to nor confined by any genre.
The band has been pivotal to the music performances conducted in Infosys Pune and enjoys a huge popular support there. With plans to release an album in the coming months, hourglass is taking centre stage at several pubs in Pune
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The beginning:
Hourglass existed in an unofficial capacity for more than a year. We used to get together to jam in the music room at work, for cultural events and music shows. After having known each other for so long and having jammed together, it was only a question of assuming a formal name and announcing the arrival (Or as we call it - The turning of the hourglass!)
The Pune experience:
When we approached the first venue in Pune and said we would play Alternative rock, the response was, "Alternative rock, no one likes that in Pune! Don’t you do classic rock?"
Ironically the second place we approached the owner said, "Alternative rock? Bring it on!"
Two contrasting situations in the same city- the first one let us down a bit, the second one made us realize that it is all a part of the game.
The music:
The different members of the band have been influenced by several international artists such as Creed, RHCP, Staind, U2, GNR, Poets of the Fall, Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam, Deep Purple, Audioslave, The Who, Saturnus, Insomnium, Amon amarth... to name a few. Owing to their various influences, the music of Hourglass has a distinct signature and appeals to a diverse audience. Music however cannot be expressed in words. To appreciate it, one must experience it!
The gigs:
The first performance was at Soul, ABC farms, on July 18 which received an overwhelming response from the audience. Following this show, Hourglass featured in the Pune edition of the DNA Newspaper (29th July edition, After hours section - main page)
On August 29, Hourglass set Not Just Jazz by the Bay, Pune on fire. This was followed by a couple of performance with Silver (IRock winners, 2008) at SITM (Symbiosis Institute of Telecom Management) and Elysium (Koregaon Park).
The ripples that Hourglass’s distinct music created found their way into the media circles of Pune and consequently Hourglass featured in Pune Mirror, Saakal Times and also Times of India (Westside Plus supplement)
The band members:
Nikhil (vocals): Hourglass owes much of its dynamism, panache and verve to Nikhil, the rugged looking vocalist who defies stereotypes and whose unconventional style is a fashion statement in its own right.
Shirish (bass): The one with the wild wieldy hair who comes up with menacing shrills from time to time. Shirish likes to believe he bears a resemblance to Slash (the legendary lead guitarist of GNR). An ex-guitarist, he now plays the 4 string bass with a vengeance and shrills louder than ever.
Himanshu (drums): The 'invisible' one! Every one plays Spot Himanshu in the performance pictures. How his drum kit wishes people didn’t do that! While he gives an outward appearance of composure, his drums are better acquainted with his much aggressive alter ego.
Amit (lead guitar): The one with the Spiky hair. Maybe the spikes are just the creativity sprouting out or the result of dangerously high levels of energy and enthusiasm that he operates at. He is the fountainhead of ideas and his drive keeps the band operating at almost reckless levels of energy.
Sagnik (rhythm guitar): The unassuming, innocent looking guitarist who with his boyish charm looks like a die hard pop music fan. It is maybe to dissolve this illusion that he rocks harder than everyone else and makes it his personal endeavor to get every half note right!
