Just scanned through the comments on my last post. I’m just glad that there are so many like me who feel such shit shouldn’t be taken lying down. It has generated enough discussion on the post itself plus various posts on other blogs. I don’t really want to defend my writing or my emotions. But I’ll clarify certain things.

Like I mentioned in my original post, I’m really not what you would call a “metalhead”. I do listen to Metallica only because I like their music. I don’t worship them. I don’t idolize them. And yes, this was my first concert.

But having sat through the entire ordeal, waiting on the mats, complying with the organizers demands, it was so frustrating to hear the firang come up on stage and announce that Metallica wouldn’t perform, as if nothing had happened. If they couldn’t fix it, they shouldn’t have lied. Wasn’t it better to simply hand over some merchandise to the audience as a compensation than to have the audience get on stage and create chaos? No clarifications, no apologies and simply no crisis management. Things could’ve turned very, very ugly.

On top of that, I see people blaming Delhi for not having the kind of metal/rock culture such concerts demand. It’s sheer stupidity. Was Bangalore born with the rock scene? No. The culture slowly grew. Things take time to develop. If Delhi-tes can handle a world-class Metro, I’m sure they’re responsible enough to handle themselves in a gathering.

Then, they’re those who point out that abuses are a part of the entire experience and Delhi should go back to watching Mika performances. Well, had Mika uttered a “Ma ki”, “Behn ki” or “G@ndu” on a stage, people anywhere would’ve kicked his butt. Same goes for the firang. Just cause he chose words like “Fuckin’”, “Buttheads” doesn’t make it any less insulting. I, like everyone else PAID money to watch Metallica perform live. I wasn’t there for free. I wasn’t there to get insulted. I wasn’t there for a compromise. I wasn’t there because I thought it’d be a good opportunity to participate in a riot. When I paid, it was because of the promise of quality entertainment. In the end, I went home with an aching head/back and a fucked up head. My post wasn’t put online for some 15 minutes of fame. I needed an outlet to vent the frustration.

I just hope Bangalore has a better experience. And whether they, or any band for that matter returns to India, I really don’t care. There are some basic sentiments that everyone must appreciate. Metallica did not. And I blame them for that. DNA Networks proved that they’re nothing but a joke but Metallica proved to me that they don’t really care. It was like, alright kids, show’s cancelled, now scram! Don’t expect reasons. You won’t get any. Deal with it. Different places have different cultures and the organizers, the band and its crew should’ve duly taken note of that. You think McDonalds would’ve thrived in India had they served beef and pork, just because traditionally, it’s a HAMBURGER and not an Aaloo Burger? You take note of cultures, sentiments and you tweak yourself to adapt.

Its a simply producer-consumer analogy. That’s all. I don’t know shit about mosh pits and I don’t care what the rock culture dictates. It’s simple logic through which I deduced that I was cheated. I didn’t grow up listening to Metallica. But maybe, just maybe after the concert, I would’ve grown old listening to their music. But their silence disappoints me. I feel like I was used for a cheap, promotional gimmick. The money returned, makes up for nothing.

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Dear DNA Networks, Metallica Band Members and the Crew,

As I lie in bed and watch NDTV newsanchors blame the “rowdy” Gurgaon crowd for “vandalising” the Metallica concert stage and creating “chaos”, I’m only filled with more anger.

I strongly feel that what you got tonight, is less when compared to what you actually deserved. The concert you organized in Gurgaon was a mess from the start to the finish. It started with the open consumption of alcohol, hash and what not at the entrance of the venue. With absence of any real security, it was a free-for-all. The seeds were sown the moment the crowd tried to push itself inside the venue and you made them wait for hours together. A woman could be seen weeping, lying on the floor with a bruised foot.

Once you actually opened the gates, you started frisking people for cigarttes and other banned items. The irony of this whole drama is the fact that while the staff frisking at the gates confiscated the cigarettes, Marlboro had stalls put up inside the concert venue selling overpriced cigarette boxes.

Now, when the 20000+ crowd stormed inside the venue, you suddenly realised the barricades were way too close to the stage. Either you failed to count the number of tickets sold or you really didn’t care about anyone’s security. So, now, you ask one half of the intoxicated to sit on the floor. The other half, is asked to move back. By this time, due to the wait outside the venue, the enthusiasm all combined with intoxicants, the crowds refuse to budge. There isn’t any security staff equipped to handle the situation. Whatever security staff is present, is busy talking to the ladies in the crowd and handing them soda cans and water bottles.

This is the time when a firang guy, I’m presuming a member of the Metallica crew, dressed in a grey t-shirt snatches the microphone and starts to speak – “You guys better fuckin’ listen to me! Move back you buttheads! Move back!”
Alright. This was unexpected. And as expected, the crowd is furious. Repeated attempts by the firang crew members now go in vain. The Indian organizers, now took the stage and addressed the crowd as “Bhai log, piche ho jao. Show nahin shuru karenge varna”. Another guy jumps in from behind and shouts, “Jai Bajrang Bali!”. The crowd claps, hoots and mocks the organizers. A serious situation turned into a joke.

Finally, after an hour, the crowd did show support and moved back. The organizers quickly got to “fixing” their barricades. All this while, the crowd just sits on the floor. I believe we were there to listen to heavy metal and not attend a satsang.

So, let me sum up the things till this point – the crew has insulted the Indian fans, probably because of some “third-world” bias which makes them feel that Indians don’t understand what metal is and you can treat them like shit and get away with it.

The wait continues. Again, I presume, this was allowed so that Fast Trax could sell shitty burgers for Rs. 80 and small cold drinks for Rs. 50. During this time, young Indian guys conveniently move guitars and drums away from the stage. The crowd still doesn’t know shit.

Another big concern is the fact that mobile networks simply ceased to operate. Once again, I’m assuming this was a targeted move to contain the negative PR (I know, I’m getting too much into conspiracies here).

Some people randomly walk on the stage, gesture towards the crowd and then walk off. It’s now around 6.30PM. I move out from the group of people next to the stage towards the far end of the venue. There are literally hundreds like me, lying on the floor, frustrated with the experience and still hoping for Metallica to come perform on stage. Suddenly, the guy in the grey t-shirt is back. “I have an important announcement to make. Metallica is at the hotel, holding a press conference with the national television channels. Due to technical difficulties, the concert will now be held tomorrow”. He quickly hands over the mic to an Indian guy while the crowd went hysterical. All that could be seen was a sea of middle fingers. The crowds start shouting. Someone throws a bottle on stage. The firangs run. The Indian guy threatens that “we’ve waited 30 years for Metallica to come to India, if you continue this behaviour, they will not perform tomorrow as well”. This final threat was the trigger. It set off the bomb which Metallica, the organizers and the crew themselves very carefully built due to their own lack of respect for the audience and shoddy management skills.

There are now literally dozens of bottles flying on the stage. Someone, even more frustrated, throws a 20 litre water dispenser, prompting many others to do the same. All this while, an organizer is still trying to pacify the crowd. Too little, too late. The barricades, which never really existed, are brought down and a dozen men are now on stage. The gathering on the stage swells and all hell breaks loose. Equipment is thrown around, speakers are tossed and the stage is torn apart. The security guys run away. The police, present in small numbers outside the venue do nothing. Its a mini riot. There are no emergency exits and its at that point my friends and I decide to leave before it got too ugly.

There are females, children, old fans, young fans, anyone and everyone. All of them disappointed.

You on the other hand, dear band members, were sitting in your hotel room, comfortably. You did not have the courtesy to apologise to your fans. Your crew treated the audience like dogs by hurling abuses at them and insulting them. After all of this, you expect the situation to go down well?

Had this been USA, UK or any other nation for that matter, you’d have not dare messed with the audience by way of insults. You would not have organized and participated in a concert that so blatantly compromised on security of everyone and possibly endangered so many lives. If there would’ve been a mistake, you would not have taken the audience for a ride, by making them wait for the entire day and very conveniently shooing them off in the end. You thought, well, this is India, a country filled with stupid, illiterate and downmarket people who really don’t get what were doing. So, let us just do our shit, because in the end, we’ll get away with it. You dissed the crowd, pissed them off with your arrogance and then sat on a time bomb waiting to explode.

The people waited for you for 30 years. You just never had the courtesy to show up. Fuck you.

At the end of the day, I lost 3 grands, lost an entire day to your nonsense and landed myself in a riot.
I’m not even a hardcore heavy metal or Metallica fan. Imagine the level of disappointment to those who are.
I wish someone sues all of you into oblivion.

Yours truly.

Excuse me for faulty grammar, if any. This rant has been written in one single shot without revision.

A follow-up that answers some points of discussion – The Reason Why I’m Angry with Metallica

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I love this song. Period.

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I hate this guy. I simply hate him. The way he talks, his voice, his style, his accent… he manages to show the world that he is a thorough wannabe.

If I remember correctly, the very first time Amit Tandon came in front of the camera was for the reality show Coke [V] Popstars, which used to air on Channel V. On that very show, Tandon had told the producers of the show that his girlfriend had died and that he wanted to become a superstar for her (which is a bucket full of horse shit in my opinion).

UPDATE:
If he really did have a girlfriend who passed away, why mention her to get a sympathetic edge? Keep the resolve to yourself, become what she wanted you to be and then declare to the world that you dedicate this to her. This is what I think should’ve been done and I could be wrong. But it makes sense to me. I don’t question his love for any girl, I just don’t agree with his actions. I know from the nasty comments I’ve been getting to this post that you think I’m trying to slander him. This is really not the case and I have nothing personal against Amit Tandon. The fact is, I simply don’t like him and I’m entitled to my own opinion just as much as you are.

Tandon failed to make a mark in that reality show but his tantrums and dramas caught the eye of the people at [V] and he was hired as a VJ. From there on, he participated in Indian Idol, where he tortured everyone with his crappy voice and also did a couple of television serials.

It seems, Tandon has finally managed to save some cash to launch his very own music album. Believe me people, music cannot sound crappier!!

The title song, “Tanha” is a clear rip-off of the Panjabi MC song, Mirza II (or Mirza 2) sung by Surinder Shinda. The video reminds me somewhat of the video of Quit Playing Games (Backstreet Boys) and Back for Good (Take That). The way Tandon is throwing his hands and making gay faces in the video makes me all the more nauseatic.

Tanha, Lonely At Heart eh?! Seems you’re going to be the lone person listening to your pathetic songs.  Amit Tandon needs to get a reality check. Dude, stick to where you’re making some cash atleast – the saas bahu soaps. Your cheesy accent and gay mannerisms are too much to be tolerated elsewhere.

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It’s been long since I heard a song and instantly liked it. Well no more…

Suddenly, there arrives a song, who with its brilliant musical arrangement and lyrics caught my mind like never before. The song is waste by Seether. I find myself listening to it all day… and as stated in the previous post, it gives me my dose of sadness. The song oozes pain and sadness… the wasy the guitar is played… the way those guys have sung the chorus makes the pain all the more real.

Probably one of the finest compositions I’ve heard in a while with so much emotion and pain put into the song. Amazing.

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I flunked in three exams in the first sem. I cleared all of them. Only one remains which is a mass repeat. Will hopefully clear that exam as well.
A lesson that I learnt was that it’s never to late to correct what went wrong. Better than crying and committing suicide.

Currently listening to :
Three Days Grace – Never Too Late

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You’re like a dog chasing a car. You’ll never catch it and you wouldn’t know what to do with it if you did.

Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars

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Asha and Friends…!!!

Asha Bhosle singing with Sanjay Dutt… and now Brett Lee!! The old woman has lost it. She has an excellent voice, no doubt bout that. But her ideas and their execution and implementation… kinda weird. May God be with her.

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Just like that, I got reminded of this song I had heard as a kid. I used to love it. It made no sense that time but I loved it. Today, I downloaded it : Pet Shop Boys – Se a vida é. Now when I listened to it, I’m in love with this track all over again!! I leave you with the lyrics of the track…. simple yet convey a strong message.

Come outside and see a brand new day
The troubles in your mind will blow away
It’s easy to believe they’re here to stay
But you won’t find them standing in your way

Se a vida é, I love you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Come outside and feel the morning sun (Aah-aah-aah-aah)
Se a vida é, I love you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Life is much more simple when you’re young (Aah-aah-aah-aah)
Come on, essa vida é
That’s the way life is
That’s the way life is

Although we see the world through different eyes
We share the same idea of paradise
So don’t search in the starts for signs of love
Look around your life, you’ll find enough

Se a vida é, I love you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Come outside and feel the morning sun (Aah-aah-aah-aah)
Se a vida é, I love you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Life is much more simple when you’re young (Aah-aah-aah-aah)
Come on, essa vida é
That’s the way life is
That’s the way life is

Why do you want to sit alone in gothic gloom
Surrounded by the ghosts of love that haunt your room?
Somewhere therés a different door to open wide
You gotta throw those skeletons out of your closet and come outside

So you will see a brand new day
The troubles in your mind will blow away
It’s easy to believe they’re here to stay
But you won’t find them standing in your way

Se a vida é, I love you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Come outside and feel the morning sun (Aah-aah-aah-aah)
Se a vida é, I love you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Life is much more simple when you’re young (Aah-aah-aah-aah)
Come on, essa vida é
That’s the way life is
That’s the way life is
Come on, essa vida é
That’s the way life is
That’s the way life is
Se a vida é, I love you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Come outside and feel the morning sun (Aah-aah-aah-aah)
Se a vida é, I love you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Life is much more simple when you’re young (Aah-aah-aah-aah)
Se a vida é

The lyrics are simple yet covey a strong message. Never let the past haunt you. Always look ahead. Just keep what happened in the back of your mind, learn from it (once bitten, twice shy ). Don’t regret, don’t cry. Now is the time to stay happy. Now is the time to live, mould your life, find a reason, find a meaning. Make ammends, if possible, now ’cause you sure as hell know you can’t do anything about the past!!

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The best song Atif Aslam has sung till date. I heard his version of Aadat in Kalyug and it was pathetic.

But this song is just too good. I can listen to it a hundred times and even the lyrics make sense.

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Well I just heard this awesome track. Excellent vocals, hilarious lyrics and catchy music. Now this isn’t for the one’s who hate the desi abuses and prefer the F word.

Gaand Mein Danda or GMD has been sung by the band bodhiTree. The members of the band are students of XLRI Jamshedpur. See… even intelligent people abuse !

Now I know its an old track and someone had even posted it on Theka DaRu dESi as well as Tandem Felix but I never cared to download it and listen to it. I just heard it today in Anjum’s car and instantly started humming the tune. Damn good!

Check this page for more info and download links.

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