Silver just wanted to be a part of Independence Rock. However, the Pune based band ended up being a part of the winning list of the XXII Independence Rock, 2008.

Rishi Rai, Bassist of �Silver' talks about their experience, future plans and hardships the band faced in a candid chat with Radioandmusic.com's Chirag Sutar.

As a band you guys are just eight months old, but you already have got good exposure – having played at the Asian Beat 2008 after winning the Yamaha Roxx and then playing in Taiwan.

Right, though we represented India in Taiwan, we didn't win there, we realized that we cannot afford to make any mistakes, and ever since our school days we dreamt of playing at India`s most exalted rock competitions, we really wanted to be a part of this mega event. For us, winning at I-Rock is simply a dream come true.

When did you guys get together as a band? Did you play with other bands before forming Silver?

I had been playing with a lot of bands all over India like Cyanide Angels (Kolkota), Karnage (Darjeeling), and Legacy and Mountain Mirror (Pune). I was looking for versatile musicians to form an experimental band and I stumbled upon these guys. Savio had done some side projects before but this is his first band. Amit has played in a couple of Bands along with Mahesh.

Tell me about the kind of music that everybody in you band listens to, your influences or the bands that you revere.

I would like to start off with our own Indian bands and musicians who have inspired us – Darjeeling bands like Leviathan, Pralay, Millenium, Indus Creed, Ezee Meat ,Parikrama and Black Market. From the international scene it's Rush, Extreme, Tool, Black Sabbath, Yes, Planet X, Miles Davis, Buddy Rich, Van Halen, Tower of Power, Bela Fleck and the flecktones, Death, Robben Ford, Iron Maiden, Lee Ritenour, Weather Report, Greg Howe, the list goes on…

Why the name Silver?

After the lineup was complete, we were in the process of naming our band and we came up with many crazy names. Finally Savio expressed that ever since his schooldays, he had dreamt of being in a band called �Silver' - we liked the name. The name has been very lucky for us.

What is each one doing (besides playing in the band, of course). Anybody studying or working?

Amit is doing his Master`s, Mahesh and Savio are in their final year of college and I`m working in a software company as a business development analyst.

Who's the most funny in the band?

That has to be Max and Savio, Max will never run out of jokes – He's the funny man of our band.

So when you guys started jamming, what was it like? Did you play covers or started of with originals...

Thank God, from day one we concentrated creating original music. We did play a few covers, but that was to get our sound right.

Who writes the lyrics? And what do you write about?

Lyrics are mostly written by Mahesh, Savio and me. Since we don`t restrict ourselves to a particular genre of music likewise when we do the same when it comes to writing lyrics, it can be about anything.

Did you guys ever think that you would win? One band which I felt was equally good was Rainbow Bridge…

Yeah...we liked that band very much...however we were very positive about our music and not to forget the fact that we had given our best – for each jam session we traveled more than 30 kilometers – but once you reach the jam room, it's worth it.

What did you guys say to each other before getting on stage for the grand finale?

Since we got the second slot, and since I'm considered as the grand Daddy in the band, I told my guys that they need not worry, I advised them to think that we are headlining the gig and that Delhi's AVR is opening for us. We basically filled our body with positive energy. Besides that, our intention was to have as much fun up onstage and connect with the listeners.

You didn't mind the MC's and BC's?

(laughs) it's fine, part of it...

During your practice sessions, did you guys have enough equipment or did you have to arrange for gear?

We had some basic equipment, however to buy good gear I took a loan from Bank, Savio started working in a BPO, even Amit worked for a while.

But now, having won the prize (the Rs 1 Lakh voucher) you can focus on music. Have you guys decided on the gear that you'll be buying?

I am planning to buy a good Bass amp, Amit want`s some drums accessories, Savio has his mind set on a good acoustic guitar and Mahesh and SM 58 Microphone & Amp.

So what are your future plans (maybe, it's too early to ask) but as a band I am sure you must be having some vision in mind?

Yeah...a good solid album which will take the Indian rock scene to an International scenario...

In India, there are just a handful of them known for rock music; it hasn't got to that international level.

I know… our country has always been considered a land of Elephants and snake Charmers. Hopefully, we'll try and change that.

You have around five originals – planning to record them?

Hmmm.....we're not planning to release an EP, but an album straight way.

You know that today marketing plays a very important role, there are some dynamics that music business model follows, how do you plan to spread your music?

We're planning to set up a website A-S-A-P. Right now, we are promoting our selves through Orkut, Facebook, Hi5 and myspace.

And what about the victory lap? You would soon be playing all around India, right?

Yeah, its starts this month from Kolkota.