February 2007 - Thermal and a Quarter (TAAQ)Monthly Archive

Happy burpday, daaktersaab!

Bruce Lee Mani’s celebrated agony uncle column celebrates its first birthday. Excerpts from recent conversations between Mani and the Mani-acs:

Q. I’m sure the thought was entertained before but… have you considered doing a clinic (on topics like basic guitar care or even playing style)?

A. Definitely possible… but I don’t know if the swine of my limited knowledge will reveal any pearls before a cast of musicos…

Q. One question I always have had is whether or not I need to detune my guitar after every session. I got different answers from different people…

A. Guitars are built to withstand the inexorable pull of six strings; if you’ve scanned the back of a pack of D’Addario strings, you’ll have a rough idea of how much force each string can exert when tuned up to pitch…

Q. I’m new to floating bridges… and like a jang i removed all the strings… the bridge collapsed with a thud!! please suggest somebody who will help/teach me how to set it up again…

A. Floyd Roses can seem like frightening animals at first, but they’re quite the pussycats really, once you figure the basics…

And lots more…

If you heard it on the grapevine, it’s true. No sour grapes.

Thermal And A Quarter has been awarded the WorldSpace honor for outstanding contribution to Indian rock.

Catch a three-day TAAQ special on Radio Spin.

Schedule:

16th Feb, 9pm onwards – Interview with fans about TAAQ’s contribution to the Indian rock scene

17th Feb , 9am – RJ Hari walks you through TAAQ’s music

18th Feb, 12 noon onwards – Extensive Interview with the band on ’10 years of TAAQ’

Thank you all for making this happen. We’ve plenty of juice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sHXCs84iJc

I wanted to catch them once before I bite the dust. Now is the opportunity I guess!

While am at it, back in Glasgow. Missing Temptation Wines, Pecos, Tavern and bike rides to HSR layout in total fog! Bleh!

One day, I’m going to get Mr. Umesh to round up all the roadies and take a group pic (with slates hanging down from their necks, of course). And then interview them to find out what they think about being TAAQ roadies, or whether they have ceased to think altogether.

But we know it’s not an easy life. Here’s Slickthief’s account:

Just when you think everyone’s happy and having a nice time, mizter Rzhude would place his demand for stuffed turkey and roast duck calmly on the table at seven in the morning. Every nut and guitar pick would have to be accounted for. I’d have to keep pesky irritating egoistice (sic) photographers out of the band’s face. Then make a scene with rascal waiters who make a break through stage to fetch some beer and make a scene again when they return. What fun!

And you thought roadies were starry-eyed…

Please join us in wishing Bruce Lee Mani a very happy burpday.

It’s been a long winter and a rather hoarse start to 2007. Each of us in turn was laid low by a very persistent and angry flu, our voices locked away for days. But the good news is that we’re back on the run. First stop, the far north.

Three gigs coming up:

Chandigarh, Feb 10: First time in the city of Le Corbusier, chicken tikka, awesome lassi and, of course, in more than one sense of the word, kudis. The PEC fest is where we’ll play, and if you’re something of a (air)hop away, make it.

Delhi, Feb 11: Cafe Morrison plays host to us this time. Look out for a full set of new originals and some surprises.

Delhi, Feb 12: We stay on in the capital to play at St. Stephen’s. As once promised, this is a long-postponed rendezvous. What a way to begin the week – you Stephenians have chutzpah!

Coming up soon – more gigs in Bangalore and another in Cal. It’s going to be a hectic season. Meanwhile, see you tonight in Chandigarh. Check with the organisers for all schedules, please. Don’t blame us later