Date:03/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/03/stories/2006060320590300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Taxiride' rocks Bangalore

Rakesh Mehar

It performed in the city as part of VH1's `Rock Rules' series

BANGALORE: Despite the rain aiming to play the spoiler, music fans at Palace Grounds here were determined to have a rocking time on Friday night and the Australian band `Taxiride' was only too happy to oblige. The band performed in Bangalore a day after a concert in Mumbai as part of the "Rock Rules" series of concerts organised by the international music channel VH1. "Rock Rules", spread over a fortnight and three cities, features international bands `Haven,' `Empire Dogs' and `Taxiride' along with local rock acts such as `Pentagram' in Mumbai and `Parikrama' in Delhi.

The concert in Bangalore featured local acts `Lounge Piranha,' `Parousia' and `Synaps.'

Kicking off the evening with some well-written originals, `Lounge Piranha' and `Parousia' got the crowd moving to their sound so that even a rather inexpert `Synaps' couldn't get the mood down.

By the time `Taxiride' hit the stage, the audience was ready for a powerful finishing act.

A thumping beginning with songs such as the infectious "How I Got This Way" and "You Gotta Help Me" with an enjoyable classic feel, was followed up by a well-arranged mix of songs. Listening to "Get Set", the single that literally made their careers, one could almost see the song appearing on an anthems compilation in a few years.

The icing on the cake was the vocal harmonies throughout the concert, with lead guitarist Tim Wild backing vocalist and rhythm guitarist Jason Singh admirably.