Together they sing, eat and sleep

Source: Bangalore Mirror; Column: Band Baja
  Copyright: Puja Goyal

Zion play music from their soul. They recently played for a thousand odd girls at Chennai's Women's Christian College. Before the performance started they wondered if the girls will be able to take the punch of their music, because they had some real powerfule audio equipment. "The girls surpised us, their screams are still resounding in our ears. We haven't experienced a crowd like this to date. It wouldn't be wrong to adjudge them as the best crowd, so far," they said.

The Bangalore basd band comprises of, Joseph Samuel (drummer), Melvin Jude (vocalist), Jilson Joy (bass guitar) and James Stephanus on the lead guitar. The seventeen yar old Joesph also plays for another band, Slain.

While Melvin's voice is similar to that of Scott Stapp, Creed and John Schlitt. Jilson is a seasoned player who created ripples with his Sammick slung around him. James, was a lead guitarist for American pianist Marcus Daniel. He has the distinction of taking lessons from guitar maestro Benhur Khamrang. Excerpts from an interview...

Your next concert is in Delhi. Have you performed there before?
No. This would be first. We have heard that there are lot of bands in Delhi. We will give the music- hungry a taste of raw rock.

Who is the brat of the pack? How do you keep him in check?
Our, Drummer, Joseph. He is the youngest but comes up with some cranky ideas. The best way to control him is to hit him with his sticks!!

And the guru of the pack is...
Melvin. The strongest advice he has given us is, "The problem is that you guys just don't listen"

You band's motto?
Womanising (just kidding). It is to entertain the crowd 24/7, refresh the human soul at the end of the show and get every chick, of course.

If Zion wasn't Zion, what would you guys be doing for a living?
James - I would be a hajam (Barber. He's the band's hairstylist)
Melvin - I would be a chaiwala (tea- carrier) complete with a torn baniyan (vest)
Jilson - Road performer, like Rancho - the monkey
Joseph - I would assisst Melvin, so technically, I would be an assistant chaiwala.