The Riot Peddlers was formed in 2010 by Arun Singh Ravi(Vocals/Guitar), Ashwin Dutt(Drums) and Animesh Das(Bass). After making a mark at numerous competitions and getting rave reviews for their songs. The band released its debut EP “Sarakarsm” on 15th August 2012. The band pioneered the hard-core punk and has lived up to expectations of many longing fans across the country
Amey Tripwire (CT Records): Tell us about hardcore? What’s hardcore beyond the music?
The Riot Peddlers(TRP): Google It. Or Wikipedia It. If you are too lazy to do that, then you are not hardcore. Or punk. Hardcore punk (or referred to simply as hardcore) is a punk rock music genre that originated in the late 1970s. Hardcore is generally faster, heavier, and more abrasive than regular punk rock.
Beyond the music, hardcore means a bunch of stuff to various people. In wrestling sports entertainment, a hardcore match is a one devoid of any rules or regulations, where you can use foreign objects, and do as you please. There’s also a Punjabi NRI female rapper. I guess she’s Hard Kaur as well.
Amey: Sarkarsm is a revolution in Indian punk talk us through it? Is there a CD?
TRP: It’s a revolution? Really? Thanks, i guess. For me, it was just a bunch of passionate songs strung together that aimed to define the band, sonically. I don’t think we revolutionized either the scene, the business, or how things are done. All we wanted to do was to get the songs out, and let them do the talking, and preaching.
You can’t get a CD. We haven’t made one. We don’t feel the need to. Do you still buy CDs and listen to them exclusively on a 2-in-1 stereo system or a ‘discman’? I guess not. You buy the CDs (if you still do), then pop it in your CD/DVD RAM/RW and rip the shit out of it. And then, you push those .mp3s, .aifs, or .whatevers in to your portable music player. Why should we make one, only for you to rip it and then keep locked in your cupboard, or thrown amindst all the pile of shit in your room?
Amey: Punks have a distinct sense of fashion and you have your bit… Talk us about Indians and fashion, tattoos, a trend or a statement?
TRP: IMO, to be a punk is to make a statement. WIth your words, sure, but preferably with your actions. You do something you believe in, and that’s that. Dress how you want to, get your hair cut the way you want it, tattoo over your face if you want it. Tune out all of ‘them’ and the ‘they’s. If you do something to be part of the herd, and it’s against your will, you are confirming to the herd’s rules. That’s not ‘bad’. It’s just not punk.
I don’t think Indians have a bad fashion sense. We love colours. And we flaunt them. Everything’s a trend at some point in time. Fuck cares if something is ‘bad’. If its good for you and you want it, it’s all good. The same with tattoos. Just keep in mind that most of us Indians have a fairly dark complexion. We’re not goras. So don’t get a lot of colours. They won’t show. Unless you are a vampire, and only step out in the night.
Amey: Bollywood, what’s your elaborate take?
TRP: Bollywood is the reason why each one of us Indian ‘independent’ musicians, artists and film-makers exist. If we weren’t so sick of it, we’d never have dug around for other sounds or visuals. It’s not all ‘bad’ music or ‘bad’ movies. After all, that’s subjective. What’s annoying is the retard-ness of it. That’s what we hate.
