Chronicles of Kanjisheik

"What do you get when you put a drummer with heavy metal roots, a guitarist with classic rock roots, a bassist crazy about Jazz and a very drunkin vocalist, in 1 band?"

Thus begins the bio of Junkyard Groove on their website.

Junkyard Groove is an alt/punk rock band from Chennai, India. It consists of Ameeth Thomas on the vocals and rhythm, Siddharth Srinivasan on the lead guitar, Jeremiah John on the drums and Craig Maxworth on bass. This group of exceptionally talented musicians has created a dedicated fan following among college students and rock crazy yuppies in South India over the past year and a half.

They have an exemplary track record of winning prizes in every competition they have taken part in. Some of their achievements include:
[1] Le Royal Meridian, Chennai {2005}: Junkyard Groove landed up in second place and bagged the best guitarist award too.
[2] Spandan 2005 {JIPMER, Pondicherry}: Junkyard Groove won best band, vocalist, guitarist, drummer, own composition and second best bassist and rhythm. Never really left much for anyone else!!!
[3] Strawberry Fields 2005 {NLS, Bangalore}: The band walked away a lot richer and won best band, best vocalist and best guitarist.
[4] Madras Christian College: Junkyard Groove won in the best band and best drummer categories.
[5] IIM Bangalore: The band came in second and also won best bassist.
[6] Raagam 2006 {IIT Chennai}: The band made it through to the finals and walked away with best guitarist and a fancy little guitar as a prize.

In the one and half years since the band was formed, Junkyard Groove has established itself as one of India’s premier rock bands. They recently made international headlines when they won the Shamal: Battle for Dubai Desert Rock Festival on December 15 in Dubai. As you know, Shamal is a talent hunt by music industry experts for the best, unsigned rock band in and around the Middle East to open up for some of the biggest international rock bands in the world. Junkyard Groove beat seven other participants- DaVinci [Egypt], Point Of View [Dubai], Pin Drop Violence [India], Gorthall [Dubai], Hydrophobia [Dubai], Wasted Land [Saudi Arabia] and Whimagon [Iran] in the finals.

Just check out the official Shamal press release:

Seven unsigned bands from in and around the Middle East took to the stage in this intense battle between India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Egypt. All genres of rock music were played from metal, melodic, death metal, acoustic, alternative, funk and gothic.
The event was an intense 4 hours, with the crowd pulsating to the music. At least 1,000 people attended with bus loads turning up from Abu Dhabi to give their support. All cultures attended, here to support their countries, here to support their music scene.
The bands' standard of live performance and musical composition was high. The judges commented that it was a hard decision to decide on a winner, but there could only be one band that could walk away with this phenomenal prize…
Junkyard Groove from India were that band! Fusing rock with funk to give an uplifting style that reaches out to all ages, they wowed the audience with a tight, high energy, flawless, musical stage performance. ....

The victory at Shamal gave Junkyard Groove a 3 year worldwide recording contract with Creative Kingdom Records USA, a reality show by Zee Arabiya and a video to be shot by the same channel. Most importantly, they will be playing at the Dubai Desert Rock Festival on March 9th and 10th. They will be opening both nights of the Dubai Desert Rock Festival for international acts like Iron Maiden, Incubus, Children of Bodom, Mastodon, In Flames, Stone Sour, The Prodigy, Prime Circle and Lauren Harris.. Incredible, isn’t it?

Well, I first saw them play in Spandan 2005 in JIPMER, Pondy, and I admit I was simply bowled over by their incredible music. And since then, I’ve watched them onstage four times till date, and I must tell you that these people create magic onstage! This band has the potential to break into the big league, and can succeed at the international level. If you are curious, just listen to their music at their MySpace site. And check out this homemade video of their song "Its Okay":

Well, here's some info about each member of the band...

Ameeth Thomas [vocals/ rhythm]:
Ameeth has played in quite a few bands in the past and has a talent for songwriting. Like most of the other members in JYG, Ameeth's quest for the right band did not quite work out until he found JYG.
Despite his eccentric behavior on stage, he has a talent for making one listen to what he has to say, which is rather entertaining, and has shaped JYG's style.
He is open to any genre and fulfills the requirement of any song thrown his way. An extremely enthusiastic personality and has music in his family for years now. A complete treat to watch on stage, the party kinda person with a party kinda job. Loves to smoke and laugh in the most inappropriate of situations.
Ameeth’s influences include Dave Matthews Band, John Butler Trio, Pearl Jam and lots more. His sense of commitment to Junkyard Groove proves that this band is here to stay.

Craig Maxworth [Bass]:
Born and brought up in Chennai, Craig played bass for quite a few bands in his early days. After his previous band did not work, he gave up playing bass and resorted to the simpler life. But things were about to change when he met Jerry and Ameeth.
Calm as can be, yet capable of snapping into a fit of violence with that guitar of his. Liquid like bass lines and funk underlined tones bring him down to fitting in just right. A hard worker and a team player, he’s highly appreciated by the rest of the band.
His influences have been Dave Matthews Band, Audioslave, RHCP, Rage Against the Machine, Miles Davis, Marcus Miller and loads more... Craig now vows to go through the hard work and create some good quality music with Junkyard Groove.

Jeremiah John [drums]:
Jerry, a Dubai born Indian, came down to India for further studies and to get back to his roots. Like any other Dubai born Indian who uses the excuse to come back to India to study, he attempted drumming for a few bands, trying to find that special something. After about 4 years of living in India and about 4 bands later, he realized that Junkyard Groove shared the same passion as he did.
He drives this message home with his hard pounding yet soulful work on the skins. One of a kind around the city and loves to break it down to killer funk beats and once in a while, he spits out some gut wrenching thrash beats. There's no stopping this guy when he's on a roll. Having been at the skins many years now, the fluency shows in his many "Best Drummer Awards", proof that he has indeed worked his ass out.
His influences are Dave Matthews Band, Incubus, Dennis Chambers, Carter Beauford etc…. Jerry has given up a lot for Junkyard Groove, to reach his own goals, which by the way works out just right for JYG.

Siddharth Srinivasan [Lead guitar]:
Baby face would be apt to describe this guy. Siddharth has played in numerous bands throughout school and college and takes a lot of pride in playing with JYG. Influenced by funk and blues bands, Junkyard Groove fits him in just right.
Cool calm and collected, his sound is unique and different. He takes a lot of care to ensure that he gets the best sound out of those pedals and leaves sound engineers confused when he tells them what he needs!
Sid, the youngest of the lot, leaves guitarists, much older than him, spell bound. Whether its razor sharp riffs or cleverly crafted solos, he’s the kinda guy that adds to JYG’s unique sound. He certainly is a versatile musician and can throw you into a wall of sound, letting you know that JYG is in the house.
His influences have been a lot of classic rock, mixed with some funk. Bands like Guns in Roses, Deep Purple, Red Hot Chili Peppers etc… have been his Idols. JYG just wouldn’t be the same without this kid.