Drummer Partha Boro Interviewed

Cool blue (without mint) at Café Coffee Day. Truly, a lot can happen over coffee (well, over a cool blue for this instance).


Unholy Maunder correspondent Deborsi Hazarika sipped away with one of the most talented and promising tempo machine Guwahati city has had to offer for a long time.


Yes, you got it right. He is none other than the flamboyant and charismatic Partha Boro. Here are the bites from the hamburger.



Deborsi(DH): So how has the music been flowing so far?


Partha (PB): So far so good! My journey has been a ride on a free highway with a lot of twists n turns, and I’m glad I read the signs! My first band was ‘HEAT’ which I formed with my elder brother and my twin brother. I have been performing with several bands over the years which have contributed a lot to my musical experience and knowledge. Right now I’m with Lucid Recess and it has earned me a good social identity. It is an honor to work with Amitabh and Siddharth. To be appropriate, it’s challenging and at the same time, rewarding!



DH: Give us some idea on how it all started for you. Your inspiration(s)?


PB: My dad, Late Gopal Boro, was a well known musician. My elder brother, Abhishek Boro, plays the guitars for Rampazze & my twin brother, Pritam Boro, plays the keys. So, there is always some kind of music going around. I grew up listening to a lot of different types of music. It was at the age of 12 that I started taking drum lessons. I've always been inspired by a lot of drummers. Each of them has something or the other that inspires me. Dave Weckl, Dennis Chambers, Ian Paice to name a few. My will to be able to play like one of them keeps me going.



DH: You play for LUCID RECESS; arguably one of the most successful bands this part of the world. How was the reception like when you first came into Lucid Recess? How does it feel to be surrounded by the big guns?


PB: I joined Lucid Recess in April 2009 after their former drummer had quit. They buzzed me up one fine evening and enquired if I was interested. I was like “hell yeah!” But honestly, I was a little too nervous on the other side. Few days later, we jammed and it all turned out to be positive. It has been a rollercoaster ride ever since. It feels really good and secured to be surrounded by the big guns! The best part is that they are my source of motivation and inspiration, always super cool. We are like brothers and I get to learn a lot from them!




DH: Moving on to drumming, what was your kit when you started out?


PB: The kit I started out with was a ‘basic’ starter kit. It did not have any brand name as such. I loved its color though. It was milky white!



DH: What techniques do you generally concentrate on?


PB: The MOELLER technique helps me a lot. Watching your stick and hand movements while practicing is very important. You can play louder and faster with less force and thus, conserve your energy, and eventually, perform longer. More recently, I’ve been working on the Jojo Mayer Heel-toe technique for multiple strokes on my foot. It has helped me a lot. It is very comfortable and allows me to play at ease.



DH: Do you follow any particular practice regime?


PB: I do not follow anything as such. But I like to warm-up a little before I actually start drumming. It helps me with my movements. I feel the most important part is to learn to express your emotions through your kit, and aye, I'm learning!



DH: Any suggestions for the kids who want to start drumming/ looking for tips?


PB: I am not yet there to be able to offer ‘tips’, yet I will say this. For any beginner, it is very important to start real slow and try and to nail everything you pick up. Make sure you are playing it CORRECT rather than FAST. Keep working hard and listen to as many grooves as possible. The only shortcut to be a good drummer is-PRACTICE YOU ASS OFF!



DH: Run us through your current kit.


PB: Tama Swingstar drumkit with Evans heads, Tama Speed Cobra single pedal, random cymbals.



DH: What impact does the modern day equipment have on your playing? How much is it important than just sticking to the conventional kit?


PB: You have to move ahead with time and I guess modern day equipment can give you a lot of edge. I would like to mention my pedal. The one I use is a Tama Speedcobra. It has an iron coil beneath the footboard which pushes back your foot to rest position real quick, allowing you to play faster. It has a long footboard too, real comfortable. It is without a doubt, an integral part of my drumming.



DH: Coming back to music, what is your take on 'the scene' right now?


PB: The scene is getting better, definitely. A lot of good bands are working hard on originals and most of them have come up with excellent records. Even the crowd is getting bigger and better. People are starting to appreciate the bands in terms of music. It feels great performing for a crowd which really connects with your music!



DH: Any specific plans for the future?


PB: A whole lot of plans in the pipeline. We have started working on our next album and we are planning to do as many gigs as possible. Hoping for international gigs too. DH: We wish you all the luck on your endeavors. Anyway, what is on your music player right now? PB: Here we have-Muse, Porcupine Tree, Freak Kitchen, Sue Foley, Audioslave, Perfect Circle, Tool, Kings of Leon, Kiss.



DH: Your favorite bands?


PB: Too many to name. Currently Tool, Muse, Freak Kitchen, Soulmate, Zero etc.



DH: Your most memorable moment on stage?


PB: Opening for Meshuggah at GIR 2010 in New Delhi. The crowd was just so ‘djentle’. We had a great time on stage there.



DH: Do you have any incident at which you look back with embarrassment and all you can think of doing is raise your middle finger?


PB: It happened long back with HEAT. We were playing at a rock beat contest. It was probably my third time on stage and I was all bones about it! We were supposed to play the song called 'Can I play with madness?’ by Iron Maiden which goes along with a straight rock beat. What I did was, I started off with a completely different beat and that too at a different tempo. My band mates turned around to me and were like “what’s wrong?”I stopped midway and started all over again. The judges and the crowd had a good laugh!



DH: Now this is where we dig into you. define 'Partha Boro'.


PB: Very passionate about drumming .Works real hard.



DH: How does the skin basher on stage differ from the soft-spoken guy off it?


PB: I believe it is very important for me, as a performer, to radiate all my energy and run riot when I am on stage to let the crowd enjoy both visually and emotionally. Onstage and offstage, I am basically the same guy. I can't be all that wild all the time. Takes a lot of energy you know!



DH: We often see that you are quite popular with the crowd wherever you play. Countless mentions on online forums, endless appreciation, girls going nuts over you to state a few. Would you share your ‘secret’ behind this?


PB: There is no secret to reveal. I just try and connect with the crowd wherever I perform. I play it for the crowd and it all comes back. I guess that helps me a lot.



DH: Thank you for your thoughts (and the cool blue) Partha! And I hope you have had a hard time with us. Your views on UNHOLY MAUNDER?


PB: I honestly had a great time with you. In fact, I was waiting for something like this for the longest time. Unholy Maunder is a good job done! It keeps us updated on the scene. Good job guys! I am really glad I got an opportunity to speak my heart out through Unholy Maunder.



DH: We would like to sign off on a personal note. What is your philosophy for life?


PB: Every morning I wake up, I take it as an opportunity to be a better man than I was yesterday. It helps me rectify myself and grow with my life at a good pace.