Exclusive Stream: Punk On Toast Revile Digital Age on ‘Shutdown’

Punk On Toast. Photo: Jay Pillai

One listen to Mumbai punk band Punk On Toast’s new single “Shutdown” and you’d think frontman Aditya Naik was raging about the time his computer froze on him or sprang the infamous Blue Screen of Death.

Turns out, Naik, who formed Punk On Toast in 2009, was talking about getting hooked to technology. He says of their latest single, which was written even before the band came together, “This song is about how humans rely on computers for everything these days ”“ from dating to entertainment.” He almost nonchalantly adds, “People will also listen to this song on the Internet.” With live drums courtesy drummer Kalidas Shenoy and the groove department being filled by guitarist Yogesh Lokare, bassist Prathamesh Sadansing, “Shutdown” has gang vocals on the chorus as well, to make it extra infectious.

The follow-up to their 2014 EP For Hire, “Shutdown” will also be a part of their set at crowdfunded gig series Control Alt Delete’s ninth edition on January 16th at the Humming Tree, Bengaluru. Punk On Toast are going in for their debut in the city with a 14-song, 45-minute setlist, which will include faster, angrier new material like “Modi-fied,” “Being Inhuman” and “MH-370.”

Listen to “Shutdown” here