Rolling Stone's '100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time'
Indie, rock, and alternative bands have always been diverse, yet persistent stereotypes often overshadow the contributions of South Asian musicians.
Despite prevailing misconceptions, the presence of South Asians in rock and indie bands is undeniable.
Contrary to the belief that there is a lack of Asians in bands, thriving scenes across Asia, including the Indian subcontinent, refute this notion.
Organisations like Unite Asia regularly document the vibrant rock and metal scenes in these regions, debunking the myth.
However, the lack of South Asian representation on major stages reflects systemic biases within the music industry.
Emerging artists are often discouraged, emphasising the notion that success requires conforming to a white-dominated industry.
Moreover, discrimination persists within South Asian communities, where individuals are sometimes labelled as “white-washed” for embracing alternative music genres.
Nevertheless, South Asian musicians worldwide persist in creating and consuming various styles.
In regions like the UK and North America, several bands with South Asian members have risen to prominence over the years.
So, we look at the people who have drummed, strung, jammed, and rocked their way with some of the most famous, popular, and emerging rock and indie bands.
Sum 41
Dave Baksh, widely recognised by his stage moniker Dave Brownsound, hails from Canadian roots with a rich Indo-Guyanese heritage.
His notable presence as a musician, vocalist, and songwriter shines brightest in his role as the lead guitarist for the renowned Canadian rock ensemble, Sum 41.
Baksh entered the fold as the band’s third member in 1997, following the formation of Sum 41 by Deryck Whibley and Steve Jocz in the preceding year.
Infusing the band’s sound with his penchant for metal, Baksh introduced dynamic guitar solos characterised by intricate shredding and sweeping techniques.
In 2006, Baksh temporarily parted ways with Sum 41 to focus on his heavy metal/reggae fusion band, Brown Brigade, which he co-founded alongside his cousin, Vaughn Lal.
Despite his hiatus, Baksh made a memorable live appearance with Sum 41 in 2008 before reuniting with the band in 2015.
Since his return, Baksh has contributed to Sum 41’s creative output, participating in the release of two studio albums.
Beyond Sum 41, Baksh has wielded his guitar skills in the band Organ Thieves and the death punk quartet, Black Cat Attack.
Echobelly
Sonya Madan, born in Delhi and relocating to England aged two, is the frontwoman and lyricist of the alternative rock outfit Echobelly.
The genesis of Echobelly occurred in 1992 when Sonya crossed paths with guitarist Glenn Johansson, eventually leading to the formation of the band.
Their 1993 debut single, ‘Bellyache’, marked the beginning of a journey they could hardly anticipate.
Whilst Sonya has been open about the scepticism she faced from Indian parents, she told WEIRDO Zine:
“[My father] mellowed a little after reading about Echobelly in The Times of India.”
This quintessential seal of approval spurred her and the band onto great success.
Echobelly swiftly rose to prominence, embarking on world tours and becoming one of the most influential British bands of the Britpop era.
Their accolades include praise from icons like R.E.M. and Madonna, who sought to sign them to her label albeit unsuccessfully.
The pinnacle of their commercial success arrived with their second album, On, which soared to number four on the UK album charts.
They continue to captivate audiences with their live performances, and in 2021, they treated fans to remastered versions of their albums People Are Expensive and Gravity Pulls.
Sonya’s enduring influence in the music scene was further highlighted in the Netflix docuseries This Is Pop.
Billy Talent
Ian D’Sa serves as the lead guitarist and co-songwriter for the acclaimed Canadian rock ensemble, Billy Talent.
Beyond the instrument, D’Sa also showcases his talents as a producer, notably co-producing the band’s second album, Billy Talent II, and fully producing their fourth and fifth projects.
An intriguing tidbit about D’Sa’s career is his collaboration with Canadian hard rock outfit Diemonds, co-writing the track ‘Ain’t That Kinda Girl’, fronted by Priya Panda.
Originating from Southall, London, to parents hailing from Goa, India, D’Sa embarked on his musical journey from a young age.
Relocating to Ontario, Canada, at the tender age of three, D’Sa’s passion for guitar ignited at 13, inspired by the legendary Led Zeppelin film The Song Remains the Same (1976).
D’Sa’s path to musical stardom began during his high school years, where he made crucial connections at a talent show, forming the foundation of what would become Billy Talent.
D’Sa’s guitar style is distinguished by its clean tones and lightning-fast multiple-note riffs, crafting a distinctive percussive sound.
Through his innovative guitar work and collaborative spirit, Ian D’Sa continues to leave an indelible mark on the rock music landscape.
Flyleaf
Sameer Bhattacharya holds the roles of lead guitarist and co-songwriter within the American rock band Flyleaf.
Originating in Belton, Texas, in 2002, Flyleaf’s debut album achieved platinum status after surpassing 1 million copies in sales.
Following a hiatus in 2016, Flyleaf reunited in 2022, reigniting their passion for creating music together.
During Flyleaf’s hiatus, Sameer embarked on a musical journey of his own, joining P.O.D on tour as their keyboardist from 2016 to 2018.
Additionally, he delved into solo projects under the moniker Belle and the Dragon, collaborating with fellow Flyleaf bassist and P.O.D drummer.
His debut album, Birthrights, released in 2020, encapsulates how music can be a release.
Beyond the stage, Sameer is the founder and proprietor of Professor Bombay Sound, a thriving music and studio production company based in Southern California.
Sameer’s Christian faith and Bangladeshi heritage have influenced Flyleaf’s music, leading to recognition in the Christian rock genre and a devoted fanbase.
Soundgarden
Kim Thayil is a renowned guitarist and a founding member of the American grunge band Soundgarden.
A self-taught musician, Thayil immersed himself in guitar playing at the age of 15.
Thayil’s exceptional talent earned him a coveted spot among Rolling Stone’s ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’ in 2010.
His distinctive style – heavy riffing, unconventional time signatures, and immersive chorus effects – played a pivotal role in shaping the iconic ‘Seattle Sound’ scene of the 90s.
This scene birthed numerous successful bands, including Nirvana, Alice In Chains, and Pearl Jam.
Therefore, Thayil stands out as one of its most innovative guitarists.
Beyond his contributions to Soundgarden, Thayil also played with the post-punk band Identity Crisis and made significant contributions to the electronic outfit Pigeonhed.
Thayil’s musical roots trace back to his Indian heritage, with his mother being a music teacher and accomplished pianist.
Despite his mother’s prestigious background, Thayil credits his musical education to his teenage obsession with the band Kiss.
Cornershop
Tjinder Singh, a versatile musician proficient in vocals, guitar, bass, and dholki, stands as a founding pillar of the legendary British band Cornershop.
Born in Wolverhampton in 1968, during the time of Enoch Powell, Singh’s upbringing was marked by a poignant awareness of his family’s immigrant experience.
Recalling his father’s forewarning that their presence in the country might not always be welcomed, shaped Cornershop’s musical direction.
Before the inception of Cornershop, Singh and Ben Ayres formed General Havoc in 1987.
The birth of Cornershop in 1991 in Leicester marked a pivotal moment in British music history, with Singh’s brother Avtar and drummer David Chambers joining the ranks.
Although Avtar departed from the band in 1995, Cornershop continued to evolve, deftly blending Punjabi folk, indie rock, electronic dance music, and pop influences.
Cornershop’s discography boasts nine albums and a plethora of singles and EPs, with their third studio album, When I Was Born for the 7th Time, garnering widespread acclaim.
The iconic track ‘Brimful of Asha’ was propelled to global fame by Fatboy Slim’s remix.
Sharing stages with musical heavyweights like Oasis, Beck, and Stereolab, Cornershop cemented their status as trailblazers in the industry.
Young The Giant
Sameer Gadhia, the lead singer of the American indie rock ensemble Young the Giant, boasts a diverse array of musical talents, including percussion, keyboards, and guitar.
Originally forming in California under the moniker The Jakes, the band rebranded as Young the Giant in 2010.
Proudly Indian-American, Gadhia was born in Michigan but spent his formative years in Irvine, California.
Surrounded by Indian classical music, Gadhia’s upbringing was steeped in melodic influences, with his sister, mother, and grandmother all possessing huge vocals.
Despite initial aspirations of entering medical school, Gadhia opted instead to follow his passion for music.
He made the bold decision to drop out of university, embarking on a journey that would see him rise to prominence as the frontman of Young the Giant.
No Doubt
Tony Kanal is recognised as the bassist and co-songwriter of the American ska punk rock sensation No Doubt.
His initial foray into music began with the saxophone, a gift from his father who held a fondness for the instrument.
At just 16 years old, Kanal was invited to attend No Doubt’s inaugural club performance in 1987 by their original drummer, subsequently joining the band as their new bassist.
This pivotal moment marked the beginning of No Doubt’s meteoric rise to fame.
In 1991, they signed with Interscope Records.
Of course, lead singer Gwen Stefani received most of the recognition, especially once she started her solo career.
However, many of her tracks, lyrics, and even style, have been associated with Kanal’s presence and insights.
Despite No Doubt entering a hiatus phase in 2015, Kanal continued to bass for them, including the genres ska, funk, soul, disco, and punk.
Bombay Bicycle Club
Suren de Saram holds the rhythm as the drummer of the acclaimed British indie rock outfit Bombay Bicycle Club, a name inspired by a now-defunct chain of Indian restaurants in London.
The band’s inception dates back to 2005 in the vibrant neighbourhood of Crouch End, London.
With four albums and extensive international tours under their belt, Bombay Bicycle Club took a hiatus in 2016, only to make a triumphant return in 2019.
Suren’s musical lineage is illustrious, being the son of the esteemed UK-born Sri Lankan cellist Rohan de Saram, while his mother hails from English heritage.
Beyond his drumming duties, Suren has mastered an array of percussion instruments, including the timpani, tabla, and the traditional Kandyan drum of Sri Lanka.
This diverse skill set adds depth and richness to Bombay Bicycle Club’s sound, reflecting Suren’s cultural heritage and musical upbringing.
Glass Beams
Glass Beams, the enigmatic Melbourne-based band, draws inspiration from their Indian and South Asian heritage.
They infuse serpentine psychedelia with cosmic instrumentation and worldly polyrhythms.
Their debut EP, Mirage, was self-recorded in a home studio, capturing a captivating fusion of 70s-era Indian classical and disco elements.
This enigmatic quartet radiates cyclical riffs and dizzying melodies, reflecting an inclination for cosmic instrumentation.
Additionally, the EP was featured on BBC6’s ‘Fantastic Beats’ segment, with the standout track ‘Taurus’ included on the Grammy-nominated Jayda G’s acclaimed ‘DJ Kicks’ release.
Likewise, NME hailed them as ‘An Essential Emerging Artist’ for 2022.
Glass Beams’ self-recorded songs are hypnotic and their masked identity adds mystery to their character, similar to Daft Punk and at a time, Sia.
Kaiser Chiefs
Vijay Mistry assumes the role of drummer in the esteemed British indie rock ensemble Kaiser Chiefs.
A remarkable blend of determination, talent, and familial support marks his musical journey.
Self-taught and driven by a passion ignited at the age of 13 upon hearing Nirvana’s Bleach and Nevermind, Mistry embarked on a lifelong pursuit of musical expression.
Despite fashioning makeshift drum sets from dining chairs, pillows, and wooden spoons, Mistry’s unwavering dedication led him to his first proper drum kit.
After months of persuasion, he succeeded in convincing his parents to invest in his music. Eventually, they acquired a battered old drum kit from a nearby village.
Mistry’s path to Kaiser Chiefs was paved through Simon Rix, the band’s bassist and Mistry’s former bandmate during their university days in Leeds.
In 2013, following the departure of Nick Hodgson, Mistry seized the opportunity to join Kaiser Chiefs.
Rooted in his Gujarati heritage, Mistry reflects fondly on the unwavering support of his parents, who championed his musical ambitions from the outset.
Their encouragement, coupled with his father’s rhythmic table-tapping, served as catalysts for Mistry’s passion for drumming.
Pinkshift
Ashrita Kumar, the dynamic vocalist of Pinkshift, embodies the band’s mission to foster genuine expression while empowering individuals to embrace their true selves.
Pinkshift transcends the boundaries of conventional punk.
Their narrative traces back to Baltimore, where Kumar crossed paths with guitarist Paul Vallejo during college.
Bonding over their shared passion for music, Kumar discovered the pair loved to write original music.
With fate on their side, the duo became a trio and graced local stages by the end of 2019.
Their 2020 debut EP, Saccharine, defies its namesake by delivering raw, unapologetic music infused with aggression and authenticity.
Despite facing the challenges posed by the pandemic, Pinkshift’s breakthrough single, ‘I’m gonna tell my therapist on you’, garnered over 4 million streams since its 2020 release.
Catapulted into the spotlight, the band draw inspiration from a blend of older pop music with punk elements and punk bands with pop appeal.
The release of their 2022 debut album, Love Me Forever, garnered rave reviews from critics for its sharpness, skill, and infectious energy.
The album solidified Pinkshift’s status as one of the most exciting and influential bands in contemporary music.
Despite facing systemic barriers and entrenched biases, South Asian musicians continue to carve out their space in the alternative music scene.
Whether it’s through mainstream bands or groups of the past, it’s evident that South Asians have had a massive influence on rock and indie genres.
Likewise, their achievements have trickled into other parts of the industry such as teaching, producing, and songwriting.
As we celebrate the achievements of these trailblazing artists, it’s essential to acknowledge the underrepresented.
After all, the true essence of rock and indie music lies in its ability to transcend boundaries and unite us through the power of sound and expression.
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