Date:03/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/03/stories/2007120360680200.htm

Back

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Rocking for a cause

Abhijit Dev Kumar

Bands jam up to spread awareness on AIDS

PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

ON A HIGH: Member of a rock band performing at the Rock Fest at Durgam Cheruvu as part of AIDS awareness programme.

Hyderabad: It was an evening to remember. Five rock bands got together at ‘Killer- Keep the promise Rock Fest II’ at Durgam Cheruvu and electrified the atmosphere on World AIDS Day. The message was clear -- to spread awareness about AIDS and fight against the dreaded disease.

The evening kicked off with Delay IVI setting the stage on fire with three of their own compositions and cover tracks from Korn, As I Lay Dying, Drowning Pool and Hate Breed.

Rock lovers were seen ‘head banging’ in sync with the beats of the songs. Hands went up in air as the atmosphere got charged. Turning the music a few notches higher was Blood Maze which played tracks from Lamb of God and performed their original piece, ‘Comatose’.

The crowd swayed to the tunes of Stiffneck Syndrome when they took the stage and performed ‘Funky Free Jam’, ‘Mint Street’ and ‘Jet Lag’ apart from other cover tracks from Coldplay and Beatles. “The red ribbon is not just a symbol of the cause. It’s a commitment that all of us have to take seriously and fight against AIDS,” said Baba, lead singer of Native Tongue during their performance. The head lining act was done by Sledge. One of the oldest bands in the twin cities, Sledge played their own compositions called ‘Versus Billion’ and ‘Serpent of Sorrow’ to name a few. The show ended on a rock solid note- ‘Stop AIDS and Keep the Promise’.