Atomic Forest was a popular Indian psychedelic and hard rock band from Bombay, active in the 1970s, formed by Neel Chattopadhyaya, with Keith Kanga, Valentine Lobo and Madhukar C. Dhas. The band's lineup changed over the years, as members left and others took their place. It was thought that they had recorded a single album, Obsession '77, However, since 2011, two new LPs have been reissued by Now-Again Records, Obsession, and Disco Roar (a rediscovered first-album).
Background Atomic Forest only recorded one album, which was not released until after the band had dissolved, in 1981.The Caravan, 1 July 2012 - Flashback | Forest of SoundAn author reflects on hazy days in the Bombay rock scene - Simon Frank Obsession 77 was re-released in January 2011 by Now-Again Records, a Los Angeles-based label. It caught the attention of collectors as it was the only psychedelic rock album that was ever produced in India.The Hindu, 28 December 2012 - MUSIC, Atomic Forest - By JANAKI LENIN The group also featured in Abhimanyu Kukreja's rockumentary, Evolution of Indian Rock. The band is also famously known for performing with English rock band Led Zeppelin.
Members
Original Atomic Forest line-up
Neel Chattopadhyaya: guitars Madhukar C. Dhas: vocals Keith Kanga: bass Valentine Lobo: drums
First phase of subsequent members
Glen Gilbanks: vocals Keith Kanga: bass Jerry DeMoss: drums Abraham Mammen: guitars
Second phase of subsequent members (around 1976)
Dheena Chandra Dhas: vocals Abraham Mammen: guitars Jerry DeMoss: drums Keith Kanga: bass
Third phase of subsequent members (until around 1979–1980)
Dheena Chandra Dhas: vocals Jimi: guitars Ritchie: bass Cedric: drums
This lineup would later change their name around 1980, to become the band "Hope" and they became backing band for the rock opera "Tommy", in which Dheena would also act.
Other members
Bosco Monsorate: guitars Rajneesh Duggal: Drums. Dhanraj Skau: Guitars Zubin Balaporia: Keyboards Bunty Duggal: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals Nandu Bhende: vocals
Notes
Keith Kanga: Stopped playing after finger paralysis, continued exclusively as the band's manager.
Madhukar Dhas joined the band in 1971. Also that year, Jazz musician Joe Alvarez played with the band at Blow-up in the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.Mid-Day, 30 Apr 2015 - Famous Personalities, Mumbai's Jazz musicians recall their first performances, Joe Alvarez by Suprita Mitter
Nandu Bhende, a former member of the group, died of a heart attack on 18 May 2014.Mid Day, 19 May 2014 - The Rockstar: A tribute to Mumbai's rock legend Nandu BhenduIndian Bands Hub - Atomic Forest (1)DAS FRÖHLICHEWOHNZIMMER - Dinosaurs: "Sinister Purpose" (1970)(3)
Discography + AlbumsTitle Label Year Notes # Obsession '77 Music India 2392 580 1981 LPProduced by Sharon Prabhakar Obsession Now-Again Records NA 5087 2011 2LPCompilation Disco Roar Now-Again Records NA 5188LP 2019 LP Discogs - Atomic Forest, Discography
Further reading It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine, 10 Sep 2012 - Atomic Forest interview with Madhukar Dhas (aka Madooo) - Interview made by Klemen Breznikar Rolling Stone, India, 21 Apr 2012 - Seventies Obsession: Mumbai’s Atomic Forest And The Original Hipster Era by Rahul Verma
References
External links Now-Again Records: Atomic Forest - Disco Roar Now-Again Records: Atomic Forest - Obsession Indian Bands Hub: Atomic Forest Discogs: Atomic Forest