SWRAIJAK BAND: "SWRAIJAK" means CURSED in our Kokborok Language. The name was the first and last name decided by the members. We particularly came up with the name as we wanted to keep that connection with the Triprasa (our Tribe) Roots. The theme behind the name SWRAIJAK is the dark Feelings and Emotions of an individual . SWRAIJAK is The word for every individual living with a Devil deep inside themselves . And we are also one of them who live by feeding the DEVIL inside us to stay alive.
UM: Please list the name, age & respective instrument of each band member.
SB: Pritam Debbarma(21)-Vocals
Amar Rupini(20)-Lead Guitars
Tushar Debbarma(20)-Rhythms Guitars
Biraj Debbarma(22)-Bass/back vocals
Bapi Debbarma(22)-Drummer
UM: What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
SB: We are mostly into Death and Black Metal stuffs and which can be found in our Music, where we create the Death and Black Fusion blasting out a sound of its own kind. The music influences between the band members varies a Lot, but when it comes together under a same roof, it was influenced by the old school metal guardian like Black Sabbath, Slayer, Metallica, Venom and now influenced by the new age of Death and Black Metal bands like Arch enemy, Dimmu Borgir, Cannibal Corpse, Gorgoroth, Mayhem etc.
UM: How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?
SB: The band has been together Since Three years now. Bapi and Biraj knew each other before forming the Band during their school days in Shillong. After coming from Shillong Bapi formed his own band with Tushar and Amar and was in need of another piece to handle the bass part. Biraj also left his previous band and was simply on his own. That’s when Bapi knocks on old mate’s door and the final piece was attached.
UM: When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
SB: SWRAIJAK was formed during 2009 beginning, when all the members realized that we are all set to carry ourselves together as a Band for the coming future and to bring a change in the Tripura Music scene. The inspiration we gained was from each and every band we saw playing in front of our eyes and all those songs of the Heavy Metal gods we grew up listening to.
UM: Do you have a record label?
SB: We come under TNT which is an independent record label which most of the bands in the states also come under. TNT is the media and Rock/Metal Music distributors in the Northeastern region of India. Owned by His Highness Maharaja Pradyot Bikram Manikya DebBarma .
UM: What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever's available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/color preference?
SB: Members in the Band are very specified about their weapons. As Tushar always goes for ESP’s . He presently uses a ESP one and felt that comfort ability with this particular brand and looking forward to buy an ESP or a Dean with EMG pickups . And Amar too is planning to grab a new Jackson Guitar like his present Jackson one as his fingers give a better solo on the Jackson frets . In the Bass part also, Biraj prefers ESP to enjoy his sound, and planning to pick one of the ESP AX series soon. Whereas, Bapi presently uses a assembled drum kit with a Basix Double Power pedal. But he is really looking forward to grab a TAMA drums.
UM: Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
SB: In these Three years of journey SWRAIJAK performed in different venues and some good gigs within the state and we also spread our wings across the Northeast. Rock for Cause in Agartala, The Anti Vile concert against corruption. Dehradun gig in Doon College Rock show with some other fellow Tripuri Band mates. Winter and summer shows in the state in different venues. Till now the best show was in the Home ground itself, in the ANTI VILE gig, which was organized by RMST (Rock music Society of Tripura) against corruption in the state. Where we got some really good crowd. The Upcoming show is in Shillong on 24th May where Mr. Lou Majaw invited us to perform in the 70th Bob Dylan Birthday celebration. Then again in Tripura in the 3 days Youth fest from 10th -12th June organized by the RMST again.
UM: Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?
SB: In most of the shows we perform our own composition along with some covers. But the one song we perform frequently is the band theme song SWRAIJAK which is in our own language, was our first composition, and in every show it’s our must perform song. But the songs we mostly perform now are our two new comps ‘The dark falls’ and ‘Hell Praiser’ which we are promoting for the upcoming EP. Covers like Arch Enemy, Six Feet Under, Cradle of Filth and some old school like Metallica and Iron Maiden according to the venue.
UM: Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
SB: Most of the time Biraj comes up with the band song. He shares his ideas and thoughts about the lyrics. It’s not only him even the other members come out with their own imaginations and take the lyrics to the next higher level. Most of SWRAIJAK songs show the Darker side of someone’s hidden brutal feelings, or it tries to bring out the Devil face of an individual, which we all try to hide. And as we said, we believe that "There is a DEVIL inside every individual, we are keeping them Alive in some way by feeding it" And we don’t think these topics will ever change until and unless this world itself be free from sins and curses.
UM: Could you briefly describe the music-making process?
SB: The main sound behind SWRAIJAK starts with Tushar who always comes up with his different riffs and other stuffs for the band. Then Amar gives his mysterious Licks to it, to take it to the next level . Biraj finally makes some minor and major changes in the composition to match along with the Lyrics. Our drummer Bapi, we won’t say he plays the best drums, but whenever he beats the shit out, is the final touch of the band's composition . Where he offers his full devotion to what we are really into. Finally Pritam the front man itself, 'the-never-serious-guy'. But he has those natural vibes to squeeze the crowd through his movements and interaction. He likes to try different styles of singing . So in every show or in jamming he tries to do something different then the other one.
UM: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
SB: SWRAIJAK's music has evolved a lot in these couple of years. When we were in our initial point we got lots of comments regarding our music, like people saying we don’t know anything about the metal sound, and some other “valuable” criticism. But these things are a part of it. You have to take it on your face. Ignoring all these stuff we were planning for the next tracks to leave a mark. But in these two years after our first two debut songs ‘Swraijak’ and ‘Serek Serek’ the maturity level was seen in the band and the members were much more devoted to it. After finishing ‘The Dark falls’ and ‘Hell praiser’ and a couple of gigs, people came to know about our stuff more which was not only within the state but also outside it, which obviously made us feel good because our music was not just enclosed within our region but it was breaking the barriers too. They liked our music, which was the biggest achievement for us as we have succeeded in delivering the best to the listeners. We can say that we have earned that IDENTITY of our own.
UM: What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
SB: Every band in its initial point goes through some challenges and obstacles. We were also one of them as there were people fucking around with the Orthodox shit inside their skull, people talking shit about us regarding our music. But those things only helped us to rise up in some way. Financial problem was one of the major wall in Swraijak's journey. No cash to buy proper instrument, shortage of enough cash to hit the studio for recording and a long list of it, but somehow we managed it. And presently some of these challenges are still lying on our way to distract and push us back. Support from our families at the starting point was not good at all, until we gained some momentum and became steady where we made them believe in us. Problems and challenges are never ending in this path where we are heading into. We know it will never stop as there are others also who have the same ideology and some who have a hunger for that name and fame. We just have to live with it and learn to overcome each and every situation.
UM: What's the ultimate direction of your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
SB: We are mainly focused on delivering the best to the guys and girls waiting outside, who are always seeking for something new to relate themselves with. Fame is not the main priority because the bands itself hates showoffs and running behind to gain the spotlight. We just need that satisfaction from the sounds we are creating and to quench the thirst of those who are waiting for something good to be served.
UM: What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
SB: Guys just be natural with your Music. Don’t go for showoffs and the lime light. Satisfy yourself first while creating your stuffs then deliver it to the world.
UM: What have you got to say about the metal scene in Tripura? Why is this state always cut off from the rest of Northeast India Music scene?
SB: Northeast India- The Rock music capital of our country but to be honest, we are not very happy with the Metal/Rock scenario of Tripura. Even today it’s not that up to the mark as compared to the vast Metal scenario in the other Northeastern states. People hardly know anything about this particular genre of Music, except a few people who are into it from the beginning and who are influenced by some other way. The alien culture in the state is changing the minds of the people and is creating obstacles in blooming the Heavy Metal music in Tripura .The reason behind Tripura always been isolated from the N.E music scene is mainly due to the lack of support from the government and some of its rednecks and the people of the state itself . The govt. hardly permits for Shows and Gigs . The ‘Aliens’ with their limited F*cked up imagination in the state has almost changed the originality of the state . Giving a term to Metal Music as a ‘Nonsense Music ‘. According to them it is just a western influence and is the main reason for spoiling the Youths of Tripura. That’s a pure Bullsh*t. They just ignore the fact that it is just the other side of Music that we are going into. Everyone knows what’s goin wrong in Tripura but no one screams out. But thanks to His Highness Maharaja Pradyot Bikram Manikya DebBarman and RMST (Rock music Society of Tripura) and the new generation of Metalheads who are doing a lot to increase the level of Metal/Rock scenario in the state.
UM: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
SB: Guys you all have to wait for few months for our first full album, but we have our Three Demo Tracks on The Revebnation Site. And the best part is that we are launching our own website .
UM: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
SB: First and foremost our manager Mr. Sunil Kalai, who saw our ability in us to serve with some good music to the people and decided to be a part of us and sharing his work to promote our music and encouraging us in each and every way. Our parents who Always supported us in what we were looking for in our life, our friends who were always there to help us in any situations, fellow Band Mates from like Horjwlai ,Chethuwang ,Twijlang in the state . Our fans who always blessed us with their valuable ideas and shared their thoughts with us . And most special ones are our own SWRAIJAK band mates, who believed in each other and still going good and strong .
UM: Any last words?
SB: The last word and the most special one for Mr. Rik Yeun and the whole "Unholy Maunder" team . Really honored man. The things UM are doing for the rising metal bands is just an awesome work. We the metal bands and metalheads in the Northeastern region and really owe UM. This metal music things going around needs to be projected in larger screen and that’s exactly what we are getting from UM .
No shit deals, no showoffs, the pure Metal scenario. SWRAIJAK raises the FIST up for you guys... \m/
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.