Keeping Indian rock 'n' roll alive

Girish and The Chronicles on the formation of the band, their journey, and more

- Verus Ferreira

From the scenic hills of Sikkim to international stages, rockers Girish and The Chronicles (GATC) have carved a reputation as one of India's most electrifying hard rock bands. Known for their high-octane vocals, searing guitar riffs, and the unapologetic spirit of old-school rock, the band led by frontman Girish Pradhan on vocals, Yogesh Pradhan on bass, Suraz Karki on lead guitars and Nagen Mongrati on drums, has become a force in the country's rock and metal scene.

GATC are all set to perform on November 16 (Sunday) at Olly Fest which is sponsored by Maharashtra Tourism powered by Aspect with The Free Press Journal as the media partner.

Excerpts from the interview:

How was Girish and the Chronicles formed?

Well, this story is never complete without mentioning my younger brother, Yogesh Pradhan. We grew up in Gangtok, Sikkim, in a home filled with music - our mother is a Nepali folk and classical singer, so it was always part of our lives. We started performing in school, inspired by bands like Guns N’ Roses and Iron Maiden, and soon formed our first band. Over time, that passion evolved into Girish and The Chronicles in 2009. With Suraz and Nagen as two of the first ones in the lineup since 2006, were all more like a family, and it’s amazing that this ship is still sailing strong.

When did you first realise you wanted to be a vocalist?

I am a self-taught musician and actually started out playing the guitar. During one of our school band performances, I had to unexpectedly fill in for the vocalist, and that’s when it hit me that singing was truly my thing. From there, I started pushing myself to hit the notes of legends like Bruce Dickinson and Axl Rose, just trying to match that power and range. Over time, that constant trial, passion, and love for the craft helped me shape my own voice and style.

Is your songwriting a collaborative effort or led by specific members?