Multiple Personality Disorder is back ! click on for more pics

Multiple Personality Disorder is back!
The band better known in the music circle simply as MPD is back after a two-year hiatus owing to work and other commitments. They played their comeback gig at Elysium last night (13th march) to a crowd expecting nothing less than an Extraordinary performance. MPD have always had an exclusive following because of their style. Also, one can expect a lot of musicians to turn up for their gigs, because of their individual brilliance and virtuosity and collective intensity. Although the crowd turn out was pretty good last night, one would have expected it to be bigger.Before MPD was to come on, “Khadki Junction Blues” took to the stage to get it all started. The band comprises Bhrigu (guitar/vocals), Karan (bass), Sumair (drums), Nikhil (tabla) and Aditya (guitar). By the way, I’m the guitar player (Aditya).
If you feel this is bit weird, you’re not the only one! We’re basically a funk/rock band. Last night we performed two
Hendrix tracks, having opened with a rock classic in “Purple Haze”. The band also played two originals namely, “journey to Funkeshwar” and “saucy fingerchip”. If you just thought to yourself, “what’s with the names?” feel free to call our Bass player Karan on 9822056165 and talk to him about it! Anyways, judging by the crowd response, I think both were very well received, especially the latter with its groovy funk progression and amazing tabla work by the best musician in the band,
Nikhil, who also took an awesome, speedy solo in the song. We finished the set with Hendrix’s “Wild Thing”, moving into a Reggae version of the track to wind things up, with Bhrigu introducing the band in his Jamaican accent that really borders somewhere Between Bihari and Italian! One aspect that could have been much better though, was the sound, which wasn’t mixed properly and got to be good only towards the end.MPD, after a second sound check, launched into their most popular track, “All Alone in Silence”, much to the delight of all their anxious listeners. This song is a part of their theme composition called “Cycles”. One thing the band has decided to do differently from now on is not play their themes in its’ entirety, but to segregate each individual track so that their music is better understood and appreciated by listeners. Because, lets face it, not too many people enjoy thirty minute long compositions. I too enjoyed and could appreciate their music better in this short format. One of the biggest strengths of this band has been and is their diversity. Each of the band members draws influence from various genres of music like rock/ jazz/classical, only to combine it into this intense “Progressive Rock” band. One major influence on the band collectively though seems to be “dream Theatre”, which is brought out in their odd time signature riffs played in unison by the instrumentalists. The band is Arnab (vocals), Joe (keyboards), Vijay Xavier (guitar), Dilip (drums) and Sonu (Bass). Their diversity is brought about in the fact that they also have some jazz progressions incorporated in their music, which was showcased on “soul Ache”, also from “Cycles” and on ”Resurrection”. What one gets to see a lot of at an “MPD” gig are amazing solos. And this particular gig was no exception. Joe especially dazzled with a brilliant passage on their piece called “experiment”. Vijay was not to be left out and took an exclusive solo in the latter half of the performance. It was One of those flash guitar solos that has everybody’s jaws dropping! Although Vijay Xavier has the technical proficiency and ability to do just as he pleases, he never seems to overplay unnecessarily. Which is part of what makes his guitar playing so appealing. As far as the band is concerned, they were as tight as ever and their sound had the punch and “volume“ that makes so much of a difference.The good news is “Multiple Personality Disorder” is here to stay and no, for all those who were wondering, this wasn’t a one-off gig for them. They’re definitely going to be performing often and also have plans to start touring shortly.

Aditya Nain
stonejaded@yahoo.com
www.drummingworld.com