Atomic Forest
Atomic Forest | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Bombay, India |
| Genres | Psychedelic rock, heavy Rock |
| Years active | 1971–1981 |
| Labels | Music India, Now-Again Records |
| Past members |
|
Atomic Forest was a popular Indian psychedelic and hard rock band from Bombay, active in the 1970s, formed by Neel Chattopadhyaya, with Keith Kanga, Valentine Lobo and Madhukar C. Dhas. The band's lineup changed over the years, as members left and others took their place. It was thought that they had recorded a single album, Obsession '77, However, since 2011, two new LPs have been reissued by Now-Again Records, Obsession,[1] and Disco Roar (a rediscovered first-album).
Background
[edit | edit source]Atomic Forest only recorded one album, which was not released until after the band had dissolved, in 1981.[2] Obsession 77 was re-released in January 2011 by Now-Again Records, a Los Angeles-based label. It caught the attention of collectors[3] as it was the only psychedelic rock album that was ever produced in India.[4] The group also featured in Abhimanyu Kukreja's rockumentary, Evolution of Indian Rock.[5] The band is also famously known for performing with English rock band Led Zeppelin.[6]
Members
[edit | edit source]Original Atomic Forest line-up
[edit | edit source]- Neel Chattopadhyaya: guitars
- Madhukar C. Dhas: vocals
- Keith Kanga: bass
- Valentine Lobo: drums
First phase of subsequent members
[edit | edit source]- Glen Gilbanks: vocals
- Keith Kanga: bass
- Jerry DeMoss: drums
- Abraham Mammen: guitars
Second phase of subsequent members (around 1976)
[edit | edit source]- Dheena Chandra Dhas: vocals
- Abraham Mammen: guitars
- Jerry DeMoss: drums
- Keith Kanga: bass
Third phase of subsequent members (until around 1979–1980)
[edit | edit source]- Dheena Chandra Dhas: vocals
- Jimi: guitars
- Ritchie: bass
- Cedric: drums
This lineup would later change their name around 1980, to become the band "Hope" and they became backing band for the rock opera "Tommy", in which Dheena would also act.
Other members
[edit | edit source]- Bosco Monsorate: guitars
- Rajneesh Duggal: Drums.
- Dhanraj Skau: Guitars
- Zubin Balaporia: Keyboards
- Bunty Duggal: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals
- Nandu Bhende: vocals
Notes
[edit | edit source]- Keith Kanga: Stopped playing after finger paralysis, continued exclusively as the band's manager.
Madhukar Dhas joined the band in 1971.[7] Also that year, Jazz musician Joe Alvarez played with the band at Blow-up in the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.[8]
Nandu Bhende, a former member of the group, died of a heart attack on 18 May 2014.[7][9][10][11]
Discography
[edit | edit source]| Title | Label | Year | Notes # |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obsession '77 | Music India 2392 580 | 1981 | LP Produced by Sharon Prabhakar |
| Obsession | Now-Again Records NA 5087 | 2011 | 2LP Compilation |
| Disco Roar | Now-Again Records NA 5188LP | 2019 | LP |
Further reading
[edit | edit source]- It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine, 10 Sep 2012 - Atomic Forest interview with Madhukar Dhas (aka Madooo) - Interview made by Klemen Breznikar
- Rolling Stone, India, 21 Apr 2012 - Seventies Obsession: Mumbai’s Atomic Forest And The Original Hipster Era by Rahul Verma
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ The Caravan, 1 July 2012 - Flashback | Forest of Sound
An author reflects on hazy days in the Bombay rock scene - Simon Frank - ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ The Hindu, 28 December 2012 - MUSIC, Atomic Forest - By JANAKI LENIN
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Mid-Day, 30 Apr 2015 - Famous Personalities , Mumbai's Jazz musicians recall their first performances, Joe Alvarez by Suprita Mitter
- ^ Mid Day, 19 May 2014 - The Rockstar: A tribute to Mumbai's rock legend Nandu Bhendu
- ^ Indian Bands Hub - Atomic Forest (1)
- ^ DAS FRÖHLICHEWOHNZIMMER - Dinosaurs: "Sinister Purpose" (1970)(3)
- ^ Discogs - Atomic Forest, Discography