Gig Preview: Ennui.BOMB’s Loud Rock Night at Above The Habitat, Mumbai

The bands on the bill for Mumbai record label ennui.BOMB’s gig series may all be relatively new, but founder Rishu Singh says there’s a sense of nostalgia about Loud Rock Nights, which kicks off on June 9th. He’s sticking to his decades-plus preference of having no genre allegiances, but says the BYOB policy of Above the Habitat is a throwback to the early days attending gigs.

Singh says, “Because I am a 100-year-old uncle, so it’s like bring your own booze, party, and listen to some good bands and fuck off home.” The gig promoter also reminisces of the old Razzberry Rhinoceros in Mumbai, he says, “The Razz gully (lane) was one of the best experiences. That’s where we grew up.” He continues, “The gig was going on inside and right next to Razz there used to be a wine shop which has long shut down — buy your alcohol, go to the Razz gully, drink it and go back inside to meet your friends and hang out ”“ that is the kind of nostalgia I am talking about. All these kids who are going to come for this gig (on the 9th) are going to remember it and think about it [later].”

The inaugural edition of Loud Rock Night features Mumbai groups such as alt/hard rock act Insignia, psychedelic/alternative outfit Corner Café Chronicles (who are working on their debut album Renaissance), prog rock/metal band Five of Castles and Punk On Toast. On what people attending can expect, Singh says, “A loud raunchy fun filled night.”

Ennui.BOMB are also in the works of taking the gig series to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, New Delhi and have already locked a date on June 24th at Pune’s High Spirits Café, whose owner Khodu Irani faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct in October last year. Singh says, “Fuck whatever bullshit is going on (with High Spirits’ sexual allegations). I don’t care about that; I am only worried about my gig. That’s personal stuff, but they at least supported us like [music equipment retailer] Furtados stepping in as gear partners. The music scene needs to support each other and they are.”

Ennui.Bomb’s Loud Rock Night will take place on June 9th, 2018 at Above The Habitat in Mumbai. For more information, click here.