Behind the Scenes with GATC

Sweltering at 36 degrees with unforgiving humidity, leather-jacketed rockers with long flowing hair unleash guitar solos, belt out lyrics, and own the stage set against the backdrop of an eerie 19th-century Gothic church in Karnataka, India. Local youths zip past on their bikes, casting curious glances, while an eclectic mix of locals and tourists gathers, drawn to the spectacle. It’s my fourth day in India, and I’m here filming a music video for the powerhouse Indian rock and heavy metal band, Girish and the Chronicles – or GATC, as they're affectionately known.

Our location, a six-hour drive from Bangalore (GATC's home base), is the haunting Shettihalli Rosary Church ruins. The heat and humidity are so intense that after each take, we all cram into our caravan, the AC on full blast, attempting to cool off. Our driver, the sole Kannada speaker among us, becomes our unsung hero, wrangling local teenagers to fetch us water and beer, and even negotiating a motorcycle rental to replace a missing keyboard stand. Setting off from Bangalore at 4am, we were uncertain if we’d find the church submerged due to the looming monsoon season. Fortune smiled upon us – it wasn’t.

How Did I End Up Here?

The path that led me to this unique experience began in May 2019 when my wife received an exciting opportunity for a business trip to Bangalore. I eagerly joined her, marking our trip to India.

Arriving in Bangalore, we were greeted by a weekend to ourselves, offering a chance to dive into the city’s vibrant life before my wife’s work commitments commenced. The initial impression of India for any Westerner is profound – a symphony of chaos and beauty, with an array of sights, sounds, and smells that are as enchanting as they are overwhelming. The daily life scenes, including the occasional cow navigating the streets, was amazing.

With my wife engaged in her work-related activities, I faced the prospect of exploring Bangalore alone. While the allure of historic British colonial sites and the temptation of the city’s renowned craft beer scene presented themselves, I yearned for something more fulfilling. My curiosity led me to discover Bangalore’s status as the heartbeat of India’s rock music culture. Equipped with my new Fujifilm mirrorless camera, the idea of producing a music video began to take shape. After connecting with GATC on social media and discovering their recent album release in need of promotional videos, the plan was set in motion.

Two months later, our creative collaboration began in person over a meal in Bangalore. We had agreed upon a song and a vision for the video that would intertwine the untamed spirit of rock n' roll with the serene beauty of nature and the eerie allure of an ancient Gothic church. Despite the challenges posed by my unfamiliarity with India and the constraints of our tight filming schedule, the genuine camaraderie and talent of Girish, Suraz, Yogesh, Nagen, and Krishh made this adventure one of the highlights of my video production career.

The music video for "Rock 'n' Roll Is Here to Stay" has amassed nearly 1.4 million views, helping catapult GATC into festivals across Europe and around the world. Keep on Rocking!