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Simply sixth sense
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They are the Head Band on `Simply Shekhar' and go by the name of Sixth Sense otherwise. Meet the popular band from Mumbai that rocked the twin cities recently.
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DOUBLE TAKE: Darren Das and Petula Fernandez hit the high notes.
YOU SEE them playing on Simply Shekhar as the Head Band a.k.a Darren Das and Petula Fernandez. Together with Sylvester Chaves, Rodney Crasto, Keith Donald and Ben Fernandez they are the `Sixth Sense' a prominent band in Mumbai at Razzberry Rhinoceros, Bombay Presidency Golf Club, Breach Candy Swimming Club, Not Just Jazz by the Bay, Club 9 and more, who were here to rock the twin cities at the VJIET college fest.
Their enviable schedule includes national and international gigs, backing popular artists Lucky Ali, Mehnaz, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Shaan and Sagarika, Anaida and others, memorable dos-they opened for Air Supply and UB40 Live in Bombay, the American Consulate Ball, the Ricky Martin Show, corporate parties-for the Bajajs, Kirloskars, Ambanis and Vijay Mallya, and product launches-the latest being the Fiat Palio.
Given the vivid audience they play for, young executives, CEOs and socialites, their music spans across various genres-reggae, soft rock, and techno to Indi-pop. One finds the group having an upswing career graph, more so when they do music for a hobby.
ON THE UPSW|ING: The Sixth Sense in performance.
Lead singer Darren is into choreography-ad films and commercial cinema, with the recent `Preity Zinta' Godrej Dream Wash and the Govinda-starring Wheel commercials to his credit, as also the Ajay Devgan, Rani Mukherjee and Sonali Bendre starrer Chori Chori. His experience in theatre has helped him in his choreography profession and at the live band act on the show.
"Simply Shekhar is a stand up act. Most of them, such as the Jay Leno show have live bands that cuts out the monotony and offer highlight at different parts of the show-a bit for commercial break or a song. Simply Shekhar starts and ends with a song," he says. On working with Shekhar Suman, he says, "oh its great! He is spontaneous and with no attitude whatsoever for a person of his calibre. His command over Hindi and English languages is remarkable," says Darren.
Crooner Petula, a fashion designer and model, is a fun-loving Gemini who can sing the Shakira, J Lo and Kylie Minogue as good as the Indian pop tracks with a live wire stage presence. Ben Fernandez (keyboards) and Sylvester Chaves (Drums) have been on the cable earlier as the Rubber Band on Movers and Shakers. Ben has played with artistes like Gary Lawyer and Nandu Bhende and is popular in the advertising world for jingles and background scores. Rodney Crasto (Lead Guitar and Vocals) and Keith Donald (Bass Guitar) have been associated with the music industry for over two decades. Keith also performs with the Colonial Cousins.
"We all gel very well. We just need to put down our scores and practise," says Darren about their meets for jamming on the eve of events-- they live in diverse parts of Mumbai and love the pav bhaji, vada pav and the Chowpatty. "The city just doesn't stop ticking, always on the go," he says, with the band aboard the first flight early in the morning, back to the city that never sleeps. Do catch them on Simply Shekhar, the next time around.
SYEDA FARIDA
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