Alternative Pop-Rock Outfit Fame The Band Plot Debut Release

Fame The Band. Photo: Bonkam Manda

Originally from Tura in Meghalaya, Mumbai-based alternative pop-rock group Fame The Band is no stranger to winning major competitions. They bagged first place at Strawberry Fields, the annual music festival of the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru in November 2016. More recently the band went onto win Mood Indigo’s Livewire competition held last December at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) ”“ Bombay. The competition has seen previous winners such as Pentagram, Zero, Goddess Gagged, Demonic Resurrection and The F16s.

Formed in 2013, Fame The Band comprises vocalist Fame Sangma, guitartist Mikkimra Shira, bassist Tengsam Momin and drummer Mark Shira. All the members knew each other ”“ Mikkimra and Mark are brothers ”“ long before the band was formed and share a close relationship. “The band is an ensemble of four friends with a passion for music,” says Sangma.

The pop-rockers opened for Mood Indigo’s Livewire headliners, American post-hardcore band Crown the Empire in December and that was just one of the rewards. Sangma adds, “It was unlike any of our previous experiences in that it gave us our biggest exposure to date.” The band have also received a slot at the Czech Republic international music showcase festival Nouvelle Prague in November, 30 studio hours of free recording time, an 80 percent scholarship in professional courses and a special three-month ”˜Spotlight Training’ program provided by True School of Music. Also included are three gigs by Bajaao Entertainment, a slot at the globally-renowned living room gig series Sofar Sounds, cash prize worth Rs. 55,000 and gift vouchers worth Rs. 80,000. 

The group has put out four singles so far and plan on releasing a music video next. They also plan on releasing either their debut EP or album by the end of this year. Guitarist Shira says, “We hope to realize our dreams of etching our names in the history books of music.”