Head Bangalore

With the mecca of heavy metal hosting one international gig after another, prepare yourself for a headbanger’s ball the next time you visit.

If you are into baggy jeans, black T-shirts, long hair, tattoos and guitars, chances are you are already figuring out your itinerary for Bangalore Open Air (BOA). An offshoot of the Wacken Open Air, the metal fest, slated to take place next Saturday, will feature German thrash metal giants Kreator’s debut gig in India.

And the organisers feel there’s enough reason for fans to visit the metal capital. “We have organised a metal market, where fans can pick up band merchandise, equipments etc,” says Sanket Mehta, one of organisers of BOA, adding, “Since we are hosting the festival at a new venue, we’ve organised a free pick-up and drop service for attendees.” So here’s how you can get gig-ready the next time you are in the city.

Rocking ride no more?
If Neeta Volvo’s overnight journeys with strangers watching Kannada films is not your ideal way of travelling to a concert, learn from city ad guy and metal head, Vikram Varma.
Last year, Varma started his rocking bus service, For Whom The Bus Rolls, packing in an army of Metallica fans. “We started with a pre-party in Mumbai, stopped in Pune for a night out, had a beer stopover in between and reached Bangalore with people jamming all along,” he recalls.

Varma had planned a similar service for next weekend. However, the last-minute cancellation of Iced Earth’s performance put him in a fix. “About 65 of our 80 registered users backed out this week making it difficult in terms of logistics, so we had to cancel the tour,” he says. The festival’s site (www. bangaloreopenair. com), however, offers travel and stay options to suit different pockets.

Metal alert
Bangalore is gearing up for Indian Metal Festival in October, which will feature five international acts. While the headlining act is yet to be announced, it includes three UK-based bands — Bloodshot Dawn, Xerath and Flayed Disciple — and one Lebanese act, InnerGuilt.
For details, email sweet.leaves. entertainment@gmail.com.
And who knows, this could be Varma’s next ride. He says, “If the band is good, our bus will roll.”
For details, see www.forwhomthebusrolls.com.

Pub-hopper’s guide:

1.Styx: Number one on the metal head’s list, this is where Sepultura and Iron Maiden fans like to down their beer, pre and post concerts. Call 080 25582259.

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2.Kyra: Fans of alternative rock music, head here. With regular live performances, this is a great place for gig-goers. Call 080 4338 9292

3.B-Flat: Another live music venue, which as the name suggests, features a good mix of soul and blues. Call 080 25278361

4.Take Five: The jazz-themed bar plays everything from disco to Latin music. Call 080 25291054

5.Pecos: The beer-only bar comes with great music and music-based interiors. Call 080 25586047

6.Purple Haze: Hard rock music, smoky dark interiors and an old ‘adda’ for long-haired beer chuggers. Think you fit in? Call 080 41104747

7.Mojos: Walk in for a retro music night. This pocket-friendly pub also comes with an interesting menu that definitely goes beyond regular bar snacks. Think dosas and chilly beef. Call 080 41142038

10.Tavern At The Inn: The English-style pub comes with a DJ and great offers. Call 080 41113333

11.Monkey Bar: This newest addition to the party scene has surprised many! Call 080 41116878