“The Quad is a backing band. We associate with different singers for our shows and perform pop, rock and rhythm and blues. We have now collaborated with 12 singers,” says Sanjay Chandrakanth, co-founder and lead guitarist of this Bengaluru-based band.
He was recently in the city with his team with Joshua Costa (keyboard), Santhosh Cherian (vocals), Jeoraj Stanly George (drums), and Prashanth Gnanamuthu (Bass) for a classical rock concert organised by Cedees Pujak & Co. at Vivanta by Taj Surya.
Chandrakanth is from Coimbatore and moved to Bengaluru in 1995 to take up a corporate job. “I was into music from a young age. I quit my job in the year 2011 to be a full time musician. I started my first classic rock band called Classic Wild in 2013. I have worked with George and Costa since then. The Quad began it’s journey later in 2015 and Gnanamuthu joined us in 2017.”
Not all of the band members are full-time musicians. “Costa and Cherian work in the corporate sector. We bond over music,” he says. The band has done around 12 shows in Bengaluru and Guwahati. “The reception of the same song will vary with different audience. This is what makes each of our show unique. For example songs by the band Little River Band have good reception in Coimbatore and Chennai in comparison with Bengaluru. It shows the difference of musical cultures in different cities.” Chandrakanth says that while he performs different styles of music, classic rock is his favourite. “I like to be known as a rocker. I grew up listening to songs of 1970s. I connect with that style. It makes me feel complete on stage”.
He says that his biggest inspiration is Joe Satriani. “For me, he is Guitar God. I wish to play with him some day.”
He hopes to perform more often in the city in the future. “Coimbatore is home, so performing here will always be special”, he says.