Latest news with #GirishPradhan
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ozzy's loss feels like losing a godfather, says Girish Pradhan of Girish & The Chronicles
Collage of Girish Pradhan on the Black Sabbath bridge and Ozzy Osbourne at his last concert For Girish Pradhan, frontman of Sikkim-based rock band Girish & The Chronicles , Ozzy Osbourne wasn't just a music legend — he was a guiding force. 'This is a sad day for rock'n'roll,' said Pradhan. 'Ozzy left a lasting influence on anyone into rock music — including us, as teenagers in Gangtok in the late '90s, getting into rock and metal through pirated tape compilations called things like Greatest Rock Hits . I remember one had Paranoid and Rock'n'Roll Doctor — me and my brother Yogesh [GATC bassist] loved those songs right off the bat. Later, when we really dove in, it was War Pigs and Black Sabbath that hooked us.' Though Pradhan gravitated towards high-octane vocalists like Bruce Dickinson and Rob Halford, he says Ozzy's subtle power left a unique imprint. 'I was more into the screaming vocal style — Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, the stuff that traced its roots back to Robert Plant and Janis Joplin. But Ozzy gave me a very different perspective. His note selection, phrasing, timing — all of it had a huge influence on my songwriting. The way he built melodies with Black Sabbath was something else.' Just weeks before Ozzy's final farewell concert in Birmingham, Girish found himself in the city — almost serendipitously. 'Me and my wife landed up in Birmingham on July 7. There was a visa issue and we missed the show on the 6th — though we had tickets through friends. Still, it was a beautiful tour. First thing I did when we landed was head to this massive Black Sabbath museum with a huge poster of Ozzy welcoming you to the city. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like End Season Sale: Special Discount Luxury Watches Buy Now Undo And then, there we were, at the town square — Black Sabbath mania all around us, and right in the middle of it, a Bollywood film was being shot! (laughs) It was surreal.' Despite Ozzy's towering presence in his life, Girish never got to see him live. 'Iron Maiden came to India — I didn't go. I've never seen Ozzy live. That's why this loss hits so hard. It feels like losing a godfather. It wasn't just his songs or that unique voice. It was his persona, his presence — the way he brought the metal community together. He was the centre of it all.' For GATC, Ozzy's influence runs deep. 'No other band has shaped and influenced the world of metal like the Ozzy era of Black Sabbath. That's who Ozzy will always be for me. In fact, we named our first album Back on Earth — after his song. He truly was the guiding force for us musicians.'
New Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
From Sikkim to global stages: Girish and The Chronicles redefine Indian rock music
This past weekend, Delhi's well-known rock haunt Hard Rock Cafe transformed into a scene straight out of the glam metal era, as the popular four-piece band Girish and The Chronicles (GATC) brought the house down with a set packed with tight riffs, soaring vocals, and unapologetically loud rock and roll. The Bengaluru-based group—featuring frontman Girish Pradhan on vocals, his brother Yogesh on bass, Suraz Karki on guitar, and Nagen Mongranti on drums—played to a packed house. Full venues are no novelty for the ensemble. 'The response was more overwhelming than usual, for sure! People knowing what you sing and singing along—it's what it's all about at the end of the day,' says GATC. Straight from the hills of Gangtok, Sikkim, the band has now taken over global stages too. Just last month, they performed on America's Got Talent (AGT) on American television—one of the world's biggest talent shows. Commanding the AGT stage with the same confidence they bring to every show, GATC made waves with a hard rock reimagining of English singer Adele's 'Set Fire to the Rain' that brought both the judges and audience to their feet. Transforming a melancholic pop ballad into a fiery rock rendition, the band says choosing Adele's 2011 hit was a bold choice. Widely considered a pop classic, the song felt like the perfect canvas for the band to 'fuse with the raw power of rock,' say the band members. 'Our aim was to honour Adele's brilliance while staying true to our sound. We also wanted to connect with a new audience and introduce them to our music—because we've always believed that building bridges like this is how you inspire the next generation of rock fans,' they say.
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Indian rock band Girish and the Chronicles in America's Got Talent
Indian band Girish and the Chronicles — featuring Girish Pradhan (vocals), Nagen Mongranti (drums), Yogesh Pradhan (bass), and Suraz Karki (guitar) — recently appeared on America's Got Talent (AGT) Season 20 auditions. The Nepalese boys from Sikkim performed a cover of Adele's Set Fire to the Rain. What was it like performing in front of the AGT judges? Girish, the band's lead vocalist, recalls that right until they stepped on stage, they kept telling themselves, it is what it is. But the moment the crowd roared, reality hit — this was happening. As soon as Nagen hit the kick and snare, with Yogesh and Suraz following in perfect sync, it felt like diving straight into the opening of a full-blown concert. The energy was electric — something they bring to every show. While the band has played major stages, this performance, Girish says, carried a whole different kind of adrenaline. The band says signing up for America's Got Talent was simply too good an opportunity to pass up. After all, it has been the No.1 summer show in the U.S. for 19 years — and for a band like theirs, bold moves come naturally. Performing in the birthplace of rock 'n' roll felt like the next logical step. As for what's next if GATC moves forward — originals or covers? Girish hints that whether it is their own compositions or a reimagined classic, they never hold back. 'We stay true to our sound and give it everything on stage,' he adds, keeping the rest under wraps. 'Some things are better left as a surprise.'
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rock ‘n' rolling from Sikkim to the US: ‘You gotta be crazy about your art', says GATC
Blazing out of Sikkim and now based in Bengaluru, Girish and The Chronicles (GATC) are proving themselves to be one of India's fastest growing hard rock bands. Formed in 2009, GATC comprises Girish Pradhan (vocals), Suraz Sun (guitars), Yogesh Pradhan (bass/keys), and Nagen Mongrati (drums). The band channels the spirit of '80s rock; with albums like Rock the Highway and Hail to the Heroes , they've built a cult following and shared stages with Hoobastank, Poets of the Fall, and most recently, opened for Guns N' Roses in Mumbai. In June, GATC made history as the first Indian rock band to appear on America's Got Talent (AGT), with their viral cover of Adele's Set Fire to the Rain . In an exclusive interview with us, GATC got candid about staying defiantly rock'n'roll in a pop-dominated world. The band said, "Giving Set Fire to the Rain a raw, gritty, rock spin was our way of honouring Adele while making it our own. We wanted to stay true to who we are as a band – helping us connect with a new audience." On performing at AGT GATC said that they have been fortunate enough to play amazing festivals, release albums internationally, and build a loyal listener base across Europe and Asia. The opportunity to be on AGT felt like the right leap for them. Speaking about performing for judges like Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Mel B, the band said: 'It felt surreal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pinga-Pinga e HBP? Tome isso 1x ao dia se tem mais de 40 anos Portal Saúde do Homem Clique aqui Undo Stepping onto that stage and hearing the audience roar, halfway across the world, was electrifying. It was a culmination of years of hustle, heart, and staying true to our sound. We're grateful to have had this chance to bring our music to USA.' Another rocking night with GNR The band said that they've been fortunate enough to open for Guns N' Roses not just once, but twice. 'First in Abu Dhabi, and then on our home turf in Mumbai. GN'R shaped our early years and influenced our sound so deeply, it was an absolute honour. Their music was part of our journey from the start. We learned their songs, played them at many gigs, and even posted covers online,' said the band members. 'Getting to share a stage with them felt like a full-circle moment. Both shows, especially Mumbai, were unforgettable in every sense.' On India's rock & metal scene GATC believes that India's rock and metal scene has come a long way, especially when it comes to original music and live performances. 'More bands are writing and releasing their own material. That's a huge step forward. Songwriting is getting sharper, production quality is up there, and the live energy has always been strong. But, more events & venues should open up to original music,' shared the band. Plans for 2025: Sharing what the band plans for this year, they said, "This year is about taking our music to more cities, connecting with our fans, and keeping the energy alive on stage. We'll be continuing to tour through the rest of 2025, with shows lined up across Asia and Europe." From serene Sikkim to bustling Bengaluru Looking back at their journey, GATC said, 'It has been a crazy ride. But the power of sticking together as a team is what has truly brought us to this point. It is as if nothing out there feels impossible or big, anymore. We've stayed true to ourselves and believed deeply in our music, which has opened doors across the globe.' They further added, "We've learned that we have to be crazy about our art and just keep at it, with a lot of patience. At heart, we're still the same simple folks from the hills we were 19 years ago." Girish's top four Aviroop Basu from Fire in The Rodeo (Kolkata) Nitesh Rolla from Roll Heads (Gangtok, Sikkim) Sandeep Yogi from Guns from Country Side (Soreng, Sikkim) Megan Rakesh from Meg and The Miracles — a 13-year-old rock'n'roll prodigy from Bangalore who's already making waves
