Mumbai Band Punk On Toast Plot Debut EP

Punk on Toast – Prathamesh Sadansing, Aditya Naik, Kalidas Shenoy and Yogesh Lokare (from left). Photo: Courtesy of the band.

When Mumbai punk rock band Punk On Toast returned after a year-long break in April last year, it was at the fortnightly gig series BOMB Thursdays. Formed in late 2009, the band comprises vocalist-guitarist Aditya Naik, guitarist Yogesh Lokare, bassist Prathamesh Sadansing and the band’s latest recruit, drummer Kalidas Shenoy, who joined in March this year. Shenoy says he joined the band since he had previously jammed with Naik and Sadansing when they were still in college. Says Shenoy, “We used to play college festivals and farewell parties, covering stuff like Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and John Lennon but in a rock way, making them faster.”

But now that Shenoy’s joined Punk On Toast, they won’t be playing covers any longer. The drummer says that they’ve got enough material for a 90-minute set, including songs such as “Democracy Is A Lie,” “Satyagraha is Gay” and their older material such as “Doctor’s Advice.” Shenoy explains the title “Doctor’s Advice” saying, “Yogesh, along with a former drummer were both doctors in the band, so Aditya wrote that song as a joke to say whenever he’s sick, he can always ask his bandmates.” After Shenoy joined, the band has got back to writing more material and reworking existing songs with new drum parts. Says Shenoy, “It’s faster, groovy and more dynamic now, but still 100 percent punk rock.” One of the newer songs written with Shenoy, “Freeloader,” leans towards metal, according to the drummer, who is a regular drum tech at metal gigs in Mumbai.

Punk On Toast are also looking out for a studio to record their debut EP next month. Earlier this month, the band played a pre-event gig to the New Wave Musicfest in Goa. Shenoy says they were asked to play today’s gig immediately after they got off stage in Goa. Says the drummer, “We’re focusing on both [gigs and recording]. We want to play as much as possible since that’s the only way people will know about us.”

Punk On Toast perform at BOMB Thursdays, alongside Anthracite and Modern Mafia on July 31^st, 2014 at 3 Wise Monkeys, Mumbai. Entry: Rs 300 (cover charge). Event details here.