Royal treat of Bollywood's best

The Bolllhqy F.oya!e a BoUywood -inspired band has bad an impressive response so far to their debut single, lfllt Me Bullets Love, which released recently The eleven members of the band are immensely passionate about what rl1ey do, and continue to work toward the success of the group in an industry rl1at is incredib ly diffi.culc co crack. The group is often doing gigs co ger their sound ouc to the masses, performing regularly in Brunswick SL Fitzroy, as well -as a variety of festivals and have even been seen 011 local TV. And now since their album release, tl1eir debut single has been p layed ou TripleJ and RRR airwaves.

The Bombqy fu?ya/e sounds are perfect for both young and o ld, Indian and non- lndian, with somerl1ing in their groove that speak co each type of audience. They have the ability to reintroduce their auclience to sounds of Bollywood from yesteryears, of Bollywood classics and retro teledramas, of I 960s surf grooves, of 1970s action and espionage films, and of spaghetti westerns. The Bollywood drama is p layed out in their Jive performances, as each band member takes on rl1eir inclividual character, in persona and in costtm1e. This adds to the overalJ auruence experience, and also sets The Bofllbq; F.fo'tile apart from other bands, since they are now being recognised by their trademark look

The band is headed by tl1e 'Skipper' Andy Williamspn. With his characteristic oversized white skipper's hat, he reminds me of the captain of The L011e Bout, a l970- 80s American cruise ship TV series. Hjs role in the band is as the leader, the scoryteller, and he p lays the sax.

The band has two l ead vocalises, one of whom Parvyn Kaur Singh is known as che 'Mysterious Lady'. Dressed in her shiny I 960s k11rtr1, or a classy saii and behive, she is mysterious like a cat with elegance and poise. Parvyn sings in Bengali, Hindi and English in classica l and in modern cones, and seduces the audience with her voice and Bollywood moves. Her bero on srage is Shourov Bhattacharya, otherwise known as the 'T.iger'. He is strong and buff, and is usua!Jy smartly attired in a gold 70s kurfa. He is always on the lookout, and ar even a suggestion of a threat to his lady, is readr ro pounce. And as for his vocal talent, his deep toned voice is a great compliment co the funky sounds created by the band.

Tbe Bomb9 fu?ya/J.• consists of an impressive variety of instrumentalists, each with a different onsrage character persona. Tbe trombonist is as the 'Kung-Fu Dentist'; the bassist, as the 'Boatswain'; and the guitarist as the 'Railway Mogu l'. The keyboard/syntl1esizing groove master is the 'Bandit Pi:iest', while the drummer is rl1e 'Leaping Shaman', and rhe trltmpeter is ' Chip Chase', the 70s tennis fanatic. On the hom is 'Dr Electro', and the multi- ta!e.nted Jewel Th.ief' plays the sitar, tabla, mandolin, dili:uba, and guitaL

The Bo111b9 Royt1!e came t0getl1et in Melbou.rne, hailing from diverse backgrounds, some of Indian origin, ochers not. la the ir music, we hear an excicing mixture of grooves and sounds that must result from rl1e eclectic namre of the group, from their clifferent insp irations, their diffetenr backgrounds and differing talents. The band has made this their advantage, and thus produced fresh enjoyable tracks.

You can download The Bomh9 RiD•ale debut single '}im Me Bullets Love' for free (mp3) at thebombayroyale.com home page. The debur album is out now, available in record scores, and via Hope Street Recordings. They will perform live at The HJFf Bar in Melbourne on May 19, at their official album launch. V isit thebombayroyale.com for more information.

Leanne Woodward