VARIOUS ARTISTS - SIMLA BEAT '71

Gramophone Company Of India 1971


01. The Fentones - Simla Beat Theme
02. Nomads - Nothing Is The Same
03. Hipnotic Eye - Killing Floor
04. Mini Beats - Hey Gypsy Girl
05. Velvette Fog - I'm So Glad
06. The Black Beats - Mod Trade
07. The Eruptions - I Am Gonna Erupt
08. The Fentones - Until The Dawn
09. Brood Of Vipers - Psychedelic Web
10. The Eruptions - You Can't Judge A Book
11. Hipnotic Eye - Aimless Lady

Second instalment of the cigarette sponsored Indian garage rock talent contest comps. Favourites this time; the bad ass raga rock of The Fentones 'Simla Beat Theme' and the psychedelic freak out of 'Psychedelic Web' by the wonderfully named Brood Of Vipers.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - SIMLA BEAT '70

Gramophone Company Of India 1970

01. Confusions - Voice From the Inner Soul
02. Dinosaurs - You Can't Beat It
03. X'Lents - Psychedelia
04. Innerlite - Zorba's Dance
05. Genuine Spares - Proper Stranger
06. Genuine Spares - What's Going On
07. Dinosaurs - Sinister Purpose
08. Great Bear - Mist
09. X'Lents - Born On The Bayou
10. Innerlite - Baby Baby Please

A recent conversation with friends about Garage rock from India inspired this post.

Back in 1970, the Indian cigarette brand Simla ran a talent contest showcasing new bands. Garage rock was the in thing (interestingly not too far from the time the west was picking up on Indian music). This is the first of two albums compiling the artists.

Check out the real heavy raga rock of the X'Lents 'Psychedelia' and the garage rock par excellence of the Dinosaurs take on CCR's 'Sinister Purpose'.