‘West Grand Boulevard’ of Dreams
Friday, January 11th, 2008
I was still soaking in the realization of having completed my first interview. I know not for sure this unfamiliar feeling but I relate it to what an overachieving bookworm of a teacher’s pet must feel like upon completing an Everest of ten-years ‘O’ level series in a day.
Before I could soak any more, I was summoned to chase another interview by my editor. Not one to sit back and relax (Ha! A joke!), I hunted down Singapore’s very own West Grand Boulevard for an interview and they graciously complied. With a wicked sound and attitudes to match (which I soon found out), it’s no wonder this band is synonymous with good Indie rock
Varian: Whew! Big thanks for doing the interview guys. Alright, let’s get down to brass (heh heh, bras-s) tacks.
Dharma: I play some geetar and sing backing vocals.
Jude: I play some bass and kick everyone’s ass in the band.
Syed: I play ze drums.
Erik: Guitar.
Bryan: I’m the main vocal-er and the guy who suffers serious convulsions on stage.
V: Hmm, you should see a doctor for that. So how was West Grand Boulevard formed?
Jude: Well I was in another band called Dead End and Erik, the other guitarist, formed, well yeah, West Grand with Dharma. And they kinda needed a bassist so he asked me and I joined.
Syed: I came in much later into the band.
Bryan: We’re a collaboration of many bands that started out in the humble abode of a mama shop/studio at Leng Ann’s in Commonwealth Ave. Played drums and backing vox with both Erik and Jude in our pop/punk band Dead End. Erik asked to try out for fun and it took off from there onwards.
Varian: Perfect timing eh? How would you express your brand of music definitively?
Dharma: Country ballad.
Jude: Sound of sex from dusk till dawn.
Syed: Like Thai green curry. Spicy, but sweet at the same time.
Erik: Different.
Bryan: Power-poppy-metal-indie-groove, and that’s one word.
Varian: Way groovy, man. So why is West Grand Boulevard performing for Love is Indie Air?
Erik: Great line-up.
Syed: Art and music together. What better combination is there?
Bryan: I’m with Erik and Syed on this one.
Varian: I’m siding with you guys too. Amen. What’s your cause of choice to promote during the event?
WGB: Cross-genre, cross-cultural, cross-medium love. Support creativity, passion and hard work.
Varian: Love! Just like the event (Love Is Indie Air) is named! Speaking of which, what is your biggest love?
Erik: Music….second only to love for girlfriend and family.
Jude: Friends, music, family, DOTA, DOTA, DOTA.
Dharma: Good music and great friendships.
Syed: Friends, family, music.
Bryan: Friends, family, music, cooking good food, eating good food.
