Reggae/Ska Band The Fanculos Make Their Mumbai Debut

The Fanculos. (From left) Ramon Ibrahim (trombone/keyboard/vocals), Saurabh Suman (bass), Ryan Sadri (saxophone), Jehangir Jehangir (drums) and Vinay Lobo (guitar)

The Fanculos were a long time coming. Although tonight’s gig at Blue Frog is only their second so far and first in Mumbai, the ska/reggae/funk band spearheaded by trombone player/keyboardist Ramon Ibrahim has been in the making for almost two years. “The first song was written three years ago! But since all of us in the band have different projects running ”“ plus we are all session musicians also ”“ it was challenging to get everyone together and start work.” Apart from Ibrahim who also handles vocal duties, the band comprises Ryan Sadri on the saxophone, Vinay Lobo on guitar, Saurabh Suman on bass and Jehangir Jehangir on drums. Their sound is everything dancey ”“ from ska and reggae to funk and disco.

Going by the response they got at Pune’s The High Spirits in April where they played to a packed [and dancing] crowd, the band will ensure that everyone shakes a leg at tonight’s gig. “There’s frenetic energy in the music we play. We were dripping in sweat at the soundcheck itself,” says Sadri.

With a thick set list of 11 original songs that are stage ready, The Fanculos also have their eyes firmly set on the music festivals this year. Says Ibrahim, “I remember attending the second edition of NH7 Weekender festival and thinking, ”˜This is brilliant, I really want a band that plays music people can dance to. That it should be danceable but not electronica’.” He is however in no mood to rush to the studio to record their material. “I have been in two minds about it because we are basically a live project. And I want to play a few gigs till we record our stuff. But yes, that will be sooner rather than later.”

Watch the video of their performance at The High Spirits, Pune: