Love Runs Blind
Encyclopedia
LRB is a Bangladeshi band, which was started in 1991 by guitarist Ayub Bachchu
.
, Bangladesh
. He started his music career with a band called Feelings. Then Bachchu spent ten years with a band called Souls, which was one of the first Bangladeshi rock bands. At Souls
, Bachchu played a key role in writing songs and having them performed. Souls originally was based in Chittagong
but later moved to Dhaka
, which is the capital of Bangladesh
. Souls was started in 1972 and its first gigs where performed in hotels where they did reproductions of American pop music. Bachchu joined the Souls
band as lead guitarist in 1976 and left the band in 1991 to start LRB. During this period, Souls produced five albums and performed in about 4,000 concerts, mostly in Bangladesh
. Souls is noted for Super Souls, which was the first rock album released in Bangladesh
. A song from this album, “Mon Shudhu Mon Chuyecge”, remains popular in Bangladesh
. Although Souls
still exists as a musical group, the founders have all started their own musical groups.
M H A Joyy - 5 April 1991 - 8 June 1993
Milton Akbar - 8 June 1993 - 31 January 1994
Riyadh – Joined With LRB Mid Of April 1994
Sumon - Played for 2years,during Riyadh's suspension period from LRB.
Romel - Still Playing.
, Jimmy Page
, Joe Satriani
, Ritchie Blackmore
and Brian May
. Bachchu also played with Departo in the United Kingdom. Bachchu owns his own music studio named AB Kithcen and has a reputation for wearing a headdress at concerts."
Music and Lyrics. LRB’s top hits in Bangladesh are "Cholo Bodle Jai","Ghumonto Shohore",“Rupali Guitar”, “Ghum Bhanga Shohore”, “Hokar”, “Mahdhobi”, “Ekhon Onek Raat”, "Hashte Dekho","Raater Tara","Chand Mama" and “Ghor Chara Ek Shukhi Chele”, "Mon Chaile mon Pabe", "Baro mash", . LRB prefers to sing about problems in the world such as love, being lost, and life problems in general. LRB prefers not to focus on one issue because they want to relate to a wide audience, from the older generation to teenagers. Recently, LRB composed two songs in English that will be released soon on an English speaking album and music video; the two English songs are “Hold On” and “Look at Me”."
LRB has performed over 1,000 gigs that have included extensive performances in Bangladesh as well as tours in Asia, Europe, and the United States. Their first show outside country was held in India in 1997 at Jadavpur University, where LRB was to perform.But they organizer was little bit doubtful about the quality of the band.After their performance they request LRB to act as a judge which Ayub Bachchu agreed to comply with. 1998, LRB went for their first international tour in United States, where they played in seven states. In 1998, the group also played in Qatar, Abudhabi, Japan, Germany, Austria (Vienna), and Italy. The group played a second tour in the United States in 2000. The group had a European tour in 2002, which included Austria, United Kingdom, and Australia."
From 2003 through 2006, LRB performed twice in Italy (Rome) and Belgium. They also performed in many cities in India as well as Germany (Frankfurt), Singapore, Hong Kong, and Wembley Arena in London. At Singapore they performed at Fort Canyon Park stage. In 2005 and 2006, LRB performed in Salt Lake Stadium (Rock Jugalbandi Part 1 & 2), Science City Theater, Alpha Bangla, ETV Bangla, Najrul Manch, Rabindra Shorobor, Guru Nanak University (Jodhpur), Haldia Utshab,Durgapur University and recently at Kalyani,Govt Engg. College in their college fest(EXOTICA '08). LRB has performed in Wimbledon Stadium
in London, Madison Square Garden
in New York City twice, and Ellin Garden in the United Kingdom."
LRB also has used its music to support social causes in conjunction with other Bengali rock groups. Recently, LRB performed in support of children endangered by the recent tsunami & Sidr. Also, LRB has performed in support of campaigns to Say No to Drugs, Save Motherhood Project (Organized by Northern Light), and Victims Against Non-violence.In 1998 Ayub bachchu released a Single album 'Bachao Bidhata' for the aid of the flood stricken people of the country.
has been used as a communication device to relay stories from one generation to the next, and to encourage the population to adopt specific ideals towards how they lead their lives. Bangla music fits into five genres, many of which reflect the core values of the musical approach taken by LRB:
• Classical: Based on musical modes called raglas. All Bengali music has some basis in classical music. LRB’s reliance on classical instruments (guitars and drums) demonstrates training in classical musical technique. However, Bachchu picked up his training of classical technique not through education but rather through years of experience performing pop and western music.
• Rabindra Sangeet
: Based on the works of Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore
, who emphasized a common theme of philosophy and love. Music was influenced by western styles of the late 1800s after Tagore visited England. Note that the title of LRB band pays homage to the Tagore philosophy towards love. Also, similar to many pop songs, many of LRB’s songs deal with the concept of love.
• Nazrul Sangeet: Based on the musical works of Kazi Nazrul Islam who was the national poet of Bangladesh during the Indian independence movement. Islam disseminated his revolutionary ideals through his music, which was a fusion of West Indian ghazals and traditional Bengali classical music. LRB has used its music to support the populace during a recent tsunami, which reflects the political use of music to reach a social end.
• Folk: Ayub Bachchu, the leader of LRB, prefers not to use folk music in his songs. Insteads, he writes his own lyrics and remixes old folk songs to give it a modern vibe, although he does use the themes of old folk songs.
• Modern music including pop and rock: Bengali pop and rock music was heavily influenced by Western music styles. Recent pop musicians have access to modern technology and attempt to use their own talent to make their music unique. LRB is an example of a pop music group. Recently, Bengali music has moved to other modern music genres such as heavy metal.
Similar to other Bangla music groups, LRB's musical style is heavily influenced by western pop music
. In the case of Ayub Bachchu, he started his musical training with the Band, Souls, which initially played the cover songs of famous western pop music in hotels while they developed their own songs and musical styles. It took this group eight years (from 1972 to 1980) to release its first album, Super Souls. LRB frequently bases its songs on an underlying folk background, but then remixes them so that they are unique to the band so that the actual folk song is not in the LRB lyric.
carried over to LRB. LRB uses all of the traditional pop music techniques:
• Instrumentation: Similar to many western pop bands, the band uses guitars, bass and drums. The band does not use traditional Bengali musical instruments such as the sitar
, sarod
, sarangi
, or tabla
. This instrument choice provides a western music sound rather than musical motifs of traditional Indian or Bangladeshi music. However, the band does not use an electric keyboard.
• Lyric writing style: As with most pop music, LRB lyrics for a specific song focus on a simple theme. Also, LRB tends to use a strophic or chorus
form, where a section the music is repeated, similar to repeated stanzas in poetry. LRB frequently uses a verse-chorus structure, where the chorus serves as a contrast to the verse especially with regards to greater use of instrumentality, and uses a refrain
or chorus to repeat a central theme of the song.
• Pop and rock music techniques: LRB uses many of the musical techniques pioneered by earlier western bands. For example, LRB uses phasing
and polyrhythms where the same part is played by more than one instrument, either out of or in phase, in order to provide greater musical variety. Bachu is an expert guitarist and has used many rock and roll techniques with his guitar
such as Legato
, two-handed tapping, sweep-picking, volume swells, harmonics, and extreme whammy effects.
LRB uses theses pop and rock musical techniques to express musical themes of importance to the Bengali populace. Similar to pop groups in other countries, this technique coupled with the guitar skills of Ayub Bachchu led successfully the building of a strong fan base. LRB then attempted to export their interpretation of pop music to Europe and the United States through their international tours.
• Live album:
• Compilation albums:
• Mixed albums:
Ayub Bachchu
Ayub Bachchu is a famous Bangladeshi rock musician and a guitarist in the country. During 1980 - 1990 he was a member of Souls as lead guitarist...
.
History
Bachchu was born in ChittagongChittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. He started his music career with a band called Feelings. Then Bachchu spent ten years with a band called Souls, which was one of the first Bangladeshi rock bands. At Souls
Souls (band)
Souls is a pop-music band from Bangladesh. It was established in Chittagong, and later moved to Bangladesh's capital city of Dhaka. Former members include Tapan Chowdhury, Ayub Bachchu, Nakib Khan, Naseem Ali, and Partha Barua...
, Bachchu played a key role in writing songs and having them performed. Souls originally was based in Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
but later moved to Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
, which is the capital of Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. Souls was started in 1972 and its first gigs where performed in hotels where they did reproductions of American pop music. Bachchu joined the Souls
Souls (band)
Souls is a pop-music band from Bangladesh. It was established in Chittagong, and later moved to Bangladesh's capital city of Dhaka. Former members include Tapan Chowdhury, Ayub Bachchu, Nakib Khan, Naseem Ali, and Partha Barua...
band as lead guitarist in 1976 and left the band in 1991 to start LRB. During this period, Souls produced five albums and performed in about 4,000 concerts, mostly in Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. Souls is noted for Super Souls, which was the first rock album released in Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. A song from this album, “Mon Shudhu Mon Chuyecge”, remains popular in Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. Although Souls
Souls (band)
Souls is a pop-music band from Bangladesh. It was established in Chittagong, and later moved to Bangladesh's capital city of Dhaka. Former members include Tapan Chowdhury, Ayub Bachchu, Nakib Khan, Naseem Ali, and Partha Barua...
still exists as a musical group, the founders have all started their own musical groups.
Drummer
Through The Years Of Proceeding A Number Of Drummer Came To Share Their Visions With The Band.M H A Joyy - 5 April 1991 - 8 June 1993
Milton Akbar - 8 June 1993 - 31 January 1994
Riyadh – Joined With LRB Mid Of April 1994
Sumon - Played for 2years,during Riyadh's suspension period from LRB.
Romel - Still Playing.
Band Group
The original band members of LRB were Ayub Bachchu (Vocals and Lead Guitar), Saidul Hasan Swapan (Bass), Shahidul Islam Tutul (Keyboard and backup vocals), Joyy (Drums and back up vocals). The band members changed several times. The current line-up since 2003 retains Ayub Bachchu (vocals and lead guitar) in the lead role and now includes Swapan(Bass), Masud (Guitar), and Romel (Drums). Shamim Ahamed currently is the band manager. Ayub Bachchu’s western musical idols are Jimi HendrixJimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
, Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani
Joseph "Joe" Satriani is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations...
, Ritchie Blackmore
Ritchie Blackmore
Richard Hugh "Ritchie" Blackmore is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was known as one of the first guitarists to fuse Classical music elements with rock. He fronted his own band Rainbow after leaving Deep Purple where he was unhappy because his favourite musical style wasn't adequately...
and Brian May
Brian May
Brian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
. Bachchu also played with Departo in the United Kingdom. Bachchu owns his own music studio named AB Kithcen and has a reputation for wearing a headdress at concerts."
Music and tours
LRB released their first double album in 1992 and has released 10 albums through year-end 2007.Also, Ayub Bachchu has recorded six solo albums. These albums include Amader, Bishwe, Ferari Mon (unplugged), Ghumonto Shohore, Hokaar, ochena Jibone, Mone Achhe Naki Nai, Shopno, Shukh, Tobuo, and Collection of LRB and their last album 'Sporsho'.LRB is the only band in Bangladesh to have the credit of releasing two double album among which one was their debut album.LRB has also got the credit of releasing an unplugged album 'Ferari Mon' for the first time in Bangladesh.Music and Lyrics. LRB’s top hits in Bangladesh are "Cholo Bodle Jai","Ghumonto Shohore",“Rupali Guitar”, “Ghum Bhanga Shohore”, “Hokar”, “Mahdhobi”, “Ekhon Onek Raat”, "Hashte Dekho","Raater Tara","Chand Mama" and “Ghor Chara Ek Shukhi Chele”, "Mon Chaile mon Pabe", "Baro mash", . LRB prefers to sing about problems in the world such as love, being lost, and life problems in general. LRB prefers not to focus on one issue because they want to relate to a wide audience, from the older generation to teenagers. Recently, LRB composed two songs in English that will be released soon on an English speaking album and music video; the two English songs are “Hold On” and “Look at Me”."
LRB has performed over 1,000 gigs that have included extensive performances in Bangladesh as well as tours in Asia, Europe, and the United States. Their first show outside country was held in India in 1997 at Jadavpur University, where LRB was to perform.But they organizer was little bit doubtful about the quality of the band.After their performance they request LRB to act as a judge which Ayub Bachchu agreed to comply with. 1998, LRB went for their first international tour in United States, where they played in seven states. In 1998, the group also played in Qatar, Abudhabi, Japan, Germany, Austria (Vienna), and Italy. The group played a second tour in the United States in 2000. The group had a European tour in 2002, which included Austria, United Kingdom, and Australia."
From 2003 through 2006, LRB performed twice in Italy (Rome) and Belgium. They also performed in many cities in India as well as Germany (Frankfurt), Singapore, Hong Kong, and Wembley Arena in London. At Singapore they performed at Fort Canyon Park stage. In 2005 and 2006, LRB performed in Salt Lake Stadium (Rock Jugalbandi Part 1 & 2), Science City Theater, Alpha Bangla, ETV Bangla, Najrul Manch, Rabindra Shorobor, Guru Nanak University (Jodhpur), Haldia Utshab,Durgapur University and recently at Kalyani,Govt Engg. College in their college fest(EXOTICA '08). LRB has performed in Wimbledon Stadium
Wimbledon Stadium
Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located in Wimbledon in southwest London, England. It also hosts speedway, stock car and other racing events....
in London, Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
in New York City twice, and Ellin Garden in the United Kingdom."
LRB also has used its music to support social causes in conjunction with other Bengali rock groups. Recently, LRB performed in support of children endangered by the recent tsunami & Sidr. Also, LRB has performed in support of campaigns to Say No to Drugs, Save Motherhood Project (Organized by Northern Light), and Victims Against Non-violence.In 1998 Ayub bachchu released a Single album 'Bachao Bidhata' for the aid of the flood stricken people of the country.
Influence of Bengali music tradition
Although LRB is a Rock group, they owe their musical heritage to a rich Bengali musical tradition. In general, music in BangladeshMusic of Bangladesh
Bangladesh is traditionally very rich in its musical heritage. From the ancient times, music documented the lives of the people and was widely patronized by the rulers....
has been used as a communication device to relay stories from one generation to the next, and to encourage the population to adopt specific ideals towards how they lead their lives. Bangla music fits into five genres, many of which reflect the core values of the musical approach taken by LRB:
• Classical: Based on musical modes called raglas. All Bengali music has some basis in classical music. LRB’s reliance on classical instruments (guitars and drums) demonstrates training in classical musical technique. However, Bachchu picked up his training of classical technique not through education but rather through years of experience performing pop and western music.
• Rabindra Sangeet
Rabindra Sangeet
Rabindra Sangeet , also known as Tagore Songs in English, is a form of music composed by Rabindranath Tagore who added a new dimension to the musical concept of India in general and Bengal in specific....
: Based on the works of Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore , sobriquet Gurudev, was a Bengali polymath who reshaped his region's literature and music. Author of Gitanjali and its "profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse", he became the first non-European Nobel laureate by earning the 1913 Prize in Literature...
, who emphasized a common theme of philosophy and love. Music was influenced by western styles of the late 1800s after Tagore visited England. Note that the title of LRB band pays homage to the Tagore philosophy towards love. Also, similar to many pop songs, many of LRB’s songs deal with the concept of love.
• Nazrul Sangeet: Based on the musical works of Kazi Nazrul Islam who was the national poet of Bangladesh during the Indian independence movement. Islam disseminated his revolutionary ideals through his music, which was a fusion of West Indian ghazals and traditional Bengali classical music. LRB has used its music to support the populace during a recent tsunami, which reflects the political use of music to reach a social end.
• Folk: Ayub Bachchu, the leader of LRB, prefers not to use folk music in his songs. Insteads, he writes his own lyrics and remixes old folk songs to give it a modern vibe, although he does use the themes of old folk songs.
• Modern music including pop and rock: Bengali pop and rock music was heavily influenced by Western music styles. Recent pop musicians have access to modern technology and attempt to use their own talent to make their music unique. LRB is an example of a pop music group. Recently, Bengali music has moved to other modern music genres such as heavy metal.
Similar to other Bangla music groups, LRB's musical style is heavily influenced by western pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
. In the case of Ayub Bachchu, he started his musical training with the Band, Souls, which initially played the cover songs of famous western pop music in hotels while they developed their own songs and musical styles. It took this group eight years (from 1972 to 1980) to release its first album, Super Souls. LRB frequently bases its songs on an underlying folk background, but then remixes them so that they are unique to the band so that the actual folk song is not in the LRB lyric.
Musical approach
The influence of the western pop musicPop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
carried over to LRB. LRB uses all of the traditional pop music techniques:
• Instrumentation: Similar to many western pop bands, the band uses guitars, bass and drums. The band does not use traditional Bengali musical instruments such as the sitar
Sitar
The 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...
, sarod
Sarod
The sarod is a stringed musical instrument, used mainly in Indian classical music. Along with the sitar, it is the most popular and prominent instrument in the classical music of Hindustan...
, sarangi
Sarangi
The Sārangī is a bowed, short-necked string instrument of India which is originated from Rajasthani folk instruments. It plays an important role in India's Hindustani classical music tradition...
, or tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
. This instrument choice provides a western music sound rather than musical motifs of traditional Indian or Bangladeshi music. However, the band does not use an electric keyboard.
• Lyric writing style: As with most pop music, LRB lyrics for a specific song focus on a simple theme. Also, LRB tends to use a strophic or chorus
Strophic form
Strophic form is the simplest and most durable of musical forms, elaborating a piece of music by repetition of a single formal section. This may be analyzed as "A A A..."...
form, where a section the music is repeated, similar to repeated stanzas in poetry. LRB frequently uses a verse-chorus structure, where the chorus serves as a contrast to the verse especially with regards to greater use of instrumentality, and uses a refrain
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
or chorus to repeat a central theme of the song.
• Pop and rock music techniques: LRB uses many of the musical techniques pioneered by earlier western bands. For example, LRB uses phasing
Phasing
In the compositional technique phasing, the same part is played on two musical instruments, in steady but not identical tempo...
and polyrhythms where the same part is played by more than one instrument, either out of or in phase, in order to provide greater musical variety. Bachu is an expert guitarist and has used many rock and roll techniques with his guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
such as Legato
Legato
In musical notation the Italian word legato indicates that musical notes are played or sung smoothly and connected. That is, in transitioning from note to note, there should be no intervening silence...
, two-handed tapping, sweep-picking, volume swells, harmonics, and extreme whammy effects.
LRB uses theses pop and rock musical techniques to express musical themes of importance to the Bengali populace. Similar to pop groups in other countries, this technique coupled with the guitar skills of Ayub Bachchu led successfully the building of a strong fan base. LRB then attempted to export their interpretation of pop music to Europe and the United States through their international tours.
Full discography
• Studio albums:- L.R.B 1 & 2 (1992)
- Shukh (1993)
- Tobuo (1994)
- Ghumanto Shahare (1995)
- Shwapno (1996)
- Amader? Bishmoy! (1998)
- Mon Chaile Mon Pabe (2001)
- Achena Jibon (2003)
- Mone Achhe Naki Nai (2005)
- Sparsho (2008)
• Live album:
- Ferari Mon... Unplugged Live (1996)
• Compilation albums:
- Greatest Hits
- Collection of LRB
• Mixed albums:
- Chamak (1994)
- Capsule 500 mg (1996)
- Screw Drivers (1996)
- Dhun (1998)
- 6 Band '99 (1999)
- Hit! Run! Out!
- Dabanol (2008)
See also
- Visit official web site of LRB for more information about LRB
- Music of BangladeshMusic of BangladeshBangladesh is traditionally very rich in its musical heritage. From the ancient times, music documented the lives of the people and was widely patronized by the rulers....
- Ayub BachchuAyub BachchuAyub Bachchu is a famous Bangladeshi rock musician and a guitarist in the country. During 1980 - 1990 he was a member of Souls as lead guitarist...