Keep The Promise - A Rock Fest

5 of the city's premier rock bands are getting together at Durgam Cheruvu tonite. Even if you cannot land an invite, you can probably here them at home anyway!

On the occasion of the World AIDS Day on 1st December, the Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society is organising a rock concert called Keep The Promise, by five of the city's rock bands, at Durgam Cheruvu.

The concert will feature Sledge, History Makers, Wreckage, Stiffneck Syndrome and Ethereal Rush, performing seperately in 30-minute slots. All the bands are city-based, with Sledge being the oldest, followed by Stiffneck Syndrome. History Makers, Wreckage and Ethereal Rush are recent entrants, who still haven't made it big in the city rock scene.

Winners of Castrol Garage Rock '03 and runner-up at NSIT & IIT Delhi, Sledge was formed in 1998, when a group of students decided to get together to bring death and heavy metal back into prominence. The band consists of Subhash on the lead guitar, Avinash for the vocals, Suman on the drums, Karna on rhythm guitar and Anjani on the bass.

Stiffneck Syndrome was initially a 9-piece fusion band Dhwani, that won rave reviews for its eclectic mix of classical and metal. It was re-christened Stiffneck Syndrome, concentrating only on metal. Vivek, the lead vocalist, has Carnatic training, while Ernest, lead guitarist and vocalist, sings for a gospel rock band in the town. Sanjay on the drums and Jayant on bass complete the band.

In a bid to create awareness on the silent killer HIV/AIDS, the concert is being organised by the Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society, with the basic target being youngsters and college-going cosmopolitan youth. During the break between each concert, anti-HIV/AIDS messages and latest advertisements will be projected on a screen by the bands, celebrities and NGOs. Hindustan Latex Family Planning and Promotion Trust will also be launching a mass campaign to highlight the use of condoms.

This first-of-its-kind concert is free and open to all, but strictly through invitations, available at Basics clothing outlets in the city. For further details, please contact the venue at 2311-0523.