Mustang

Mustang is a recent heavy metal band from India, we spoke with lead singer Arijit Dutta, also known as “Piercer” to know more about the rising of Mustang and their recent activity.

Q. - When did Mustang start? Tell us a bit about the beginning of the band.

Arijit - Well technically speaking the seed of MUSTANG was swon around the early 2015. But from the very beginning we dealt with a stable line up issue. People came, people left as they don't have any solid visions with Mustang and it took us almost 4 damn years to find all those musicians on whom I can rely to set off this heavy metal quest. After all this years of struggle, pain and every earthly obstacle finally on February 2018 we released our first demo single called, "TERROR STRIKER".

Q. - How did your interest in heavy metal music start? Who are your main influences?

Piercer - It's kind of weird story. First of all I like to say that we are from India and our traditional culture is nowhere related with Heavy Metal or any sub genres of metal. It's a very very rare occasion here when a parents give a heavy metal record to his/her child to listen to the music in order to grow their interest.

In my case I developed a fondness with Western Music since my childhood. I still remember my father used to bring video cassettes from local video parlor and because of him only I watched so many Hollywood classics when I was a little kid. While watching some western cowboy flicks when I was around 7-8 years of old I guess and I heard the back ground scores of Ennio Morricone. That music has rooted deeply on my mind, later when i hit my adolescence I discovered bands like Metallica and I was shocked when I first heard that same, "The Good, The bad and The ugly" background score is getting played before their show. I don't know am I able make any sense or not, but I felt some connections you know. It's like riding a time machine. All the vivid childhood memories came back to me. Everything begin to make sense after that, I mean I can see now that the circle got complete now.

Apart from that I still remember I was huge fan of Michael Jackson and I used to watch his videos on televisions and I somehow always attracted towards the western music to be very honest. Artist like Dire Straits, MJ toured India when I was very young and all this big names and news helped me to develop more curiosity on music.

Later when I was in college a friend of mine gave me an mp3 CD where he put a folder of Best of Black Sabbath. After returning home I put that CD into my player and the legenary bass intro of N.I.B started to play and followed by that heavy as fuck riff. I can still remember that moment, I was in complete awe cause I was never ever heard anything like this shit before and at the same time I was jumping like a two year ol' crazy boy in joy and I knew that my life is about to take total 360° spin.

Well I am huge fan of Blues and Classic Rock. I must say it's only because of blues and Classic Rock I developed the weakness for Heavy Metal music.

Bands like Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, AC DC, Uriah Heep, UFO, Thin Lizzy, Fleetwood Mac, Journey, Jefferson Airplane artists like Hendrix, Gary Moore, Janis Joplin, SRV, Santana, Eric Clapton played a huge roll on my initial days and till date.

While making Heavy Metal our influences are also very pure. Bands like Sabbath, Priest, Motorhead, Cirith Ungol, Manilla Road, Exciter, Agent Steel and many more inspired us lot.

Q. - How did the name "Mustang" came up?

Piercer - To be very honest the very first name that came to my mind while thinking about a proper Heavy/Speed Metal band name that can portray ourselves was 'Mustang'. It's sounded heavy and powerful and most importantly Mustangs are wild, independent and untamed beast and that perfectly suits our images and concepts.

Q. - Did you sing in other metal bands before Mustang?

Piercer - No, Mustang is my first affair. Funny part is I never sang in my entire life before I tried out my vocals in Mustang. In the beginning I was very much fascinated by guitars, you know and there is no shame in admitting this that I took up taking vocal lessons very lately. But I am glad I picked it up quick cause I have a good musical ears due to all this years of listening and I know exactly what I wanted to do with my vocals and I develop my own style of singing.

Q. - Is Mustang a side project, or is it a full time band?

Piercer - Well MUSTANG is and will always remain as a main project no matter what happens.

As I said earlier I am very fortunate to find all the right guys now and they also are very damn serious about Mustang and it's future prospects.

Right now we have,

MANIAC on Drums,

THUNDERBASTARD on Bass,

STYX and SORCERER on Axe duties and myself PIERCER on Vocals.

Q. - How is the heavy metal scene in India, in general? Is it hard for a heavy metal band to be booked?

Piercer - If I have to answer this question 8 or 10 years back then I might ended up saying it's dreadful.

But now the current situation is changing gradually but steadily. Audiences are more discovering traditional heavy metal than ever before. People are also showing their interest on making new heavy metal music. Bands are getting worldwide recognition. Some of 'em touring abroad too, which is a tremendous positive signs for the traditional heavy metal scene in India where one have to fight against all the earthly odds to do this form of music.

Well the hardcore fact is Indian heavy metal scene is not like Europe or N/S American scene where gigs are happening in almost every or alternative weekend, the number of people who are into traditional heavy metal is also not huge. So things are bit different and more difficult out here, you know. But you gotta do what you gotta do. It's easy to give excuses and blaming everything around you, but what really makes difference is to fight for your dream and march ahead keeping every obstacles aside. It's a cruel world, no one gives a shit about how hard you struggled unless you make it to the top.

Q. - Do you try to keep the eighties metal spirit alive?

Piercer - Of course we do and our songs can testify my comment. Along with that we are also trying to create more awareness about traditional heavy metal in India. We tend to convey the message of those glorious and thunderous days of 80's to as many people we can.

Q. - In your opinion, were the 90's hard times for heavy metal bands?

Piercer - Yes, the 90s were surely a hard time for most metal bands, because Grunge was the in-thing at the moment. What I believe is many bands, especially the ones on bigger labels started experimenting a bit too much to cater to a more wide audience and in the process moved far away from their roots. However, what kept metal alive during this lean period was The Underground. Bands on smaller labels stuck to their guns and kept slogging it out in smaller clubs and venues, supported by die hard metal maniacs, to keep the genre alive. A similar story might be happening in a near future when the Priests and Maidens will be hanging up their boots, but the pulse of The Underground will always keep heavy metal valid till eternity.

Q. - Your latest single "Black Steel" is out now, what reactions does it have so far?

Piercer - We released our second demo single,"BLACK STEEL" few months earlier and we were overwhelmed by the response from the underground heavy metal community of the world.

We got direct praising from the bands like mighty Exciter, Attacker, Traitors Gate etc. It's a different level of joy you feel you know when you got praised by the bands whom you worship. It's kinda surreal.

The song also got aired on prestigious metal radio station of U.S Metal Messiah and it's an absolute honor for a small band like us. All thanks goes to the mighty Bobby Leatherlung Lucas vocalist of legendary USPM band Attacker who supported us like anything from the very beginning of our journey. He is one gem of a human being and I love him a lot.

Q. - Are you recording any new material in order to record a cd?

Piercer - We are writing new materials for our first physical release. We have a gig on upcoming April in Kathmandu, Nepal. Which happens to be our first out station gig and coincidentally it's taking place outside of India. So we are pretty damn excited about our first International show. After we done with this we will totally concentrate on our new compositions and try to release it as earliest as possible.

Q. - And are you trying to find a record deal by now, or do you have one already?

Piercer - No we don't have any record deal as of now. We might release it under independent label, but yeah we are also open for better opportunities. If something fruitful happens in future then we will surely take it under our consideration.

Q. - What expectations do you have for the future of Mustang?

Piercer - In any form of art the first and foremost expectation I think is to spread your creation to the people as much you can and we are also no exception. We have certain goals, we have dreams of playing in some of the prestigious underground gigs all over the world. But it's a distant goal, right now we are taking one day at a time. You know if you are planning to climb Mt. Everest and you are standing under it and gazing the peak, you might think like it's impossible to reach that height and you may lose confidence. But it's better to focus on the next step you are about to take, and again on the next step. After a while you will see that you came so close to the peak and then you start to believe that you can achieve your goal. That's our way, I hope it explains all.

Q. - Being you very NWOBHM influenced, what do you think of this recent revival of the N.W.O.B.H.M., and all these bands reforming?

Piercer - I fuckin' love NWOBHM. In my humble opinion I believe that NWOBHM was the greatest movement in entire history of metal and it's needless to say that the latest revival of the NWOBHM bands as well as new era traditional heavy metal bands are the best thing that happens lately in the music industry.

I am so happy that traditional heavy metal is again regaining it's all lost and deserved glory. Maniacs like us again getting chance to witness all those classic bands. It's huge thing not only for audiences but also for the bands too. A huge thanks to all the promoters, bands and mostly the audiences who are fighting to protect the sacred flame of traditional heavy metal.

Q. - Anything more you want to say, to end up this interview?

Piercer - Well firstly I like to thank Paulo for his generosity and kindness and for this interview and 'PHANTOM LORD' for their continuous effort in order to keep the heavy metal alive. Just like to say few basic things. Focus on your work. Don't bother about what others say. Stay away from negativity and believe in yourself. Nothing and absolutely no one is important in this world except your dream, so fight for it and always care and stay close to your family cause they matters the most.

"It's a long way to the top if you Rock n Roll" my friend. Remember that and march on you metal warrior ✊. Lots of love from, MUSTANG INDIA.

Thank you for your time, and wish you all the best for the future!