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“We’re a Bandra Band!”

  • Press
  • The Band
  • 7 years ago
  • 6 comments

The famous rock band Grand Funk Railroad is forever identified with its signature song, “We’re An American Band,” which was played incessantly in Bombay’s discos in the early 1970s. The Combustibles on the other hand were a Bandra Band – and always proud to be one!

Bandra is one of the erstwhile Bombay’s most famous suburbs – as vibrant and full of life today as it was during The Combustibles’ era. Every two years since 2003, its residents have re-lived their history during a week-long event, “Celebrate Bandra.” Music was the theme of the latest event (November 22-30, 2014) and The Combustibles (along with many others) contributed a short and nostalgic piece about their memories of their hometown, entitled “We’re A Bandra Band!”

Read it here http://www.celebratebandra.com/bandra-tales.html – it’s the last article in the feature.

“…to understand the history of The Combustibles you have to understand Bandra itself in the ‘60s! Bandra’s love for music – be it jazz, classical, rock or country – was ingrained in every household. From the day one was born to the final send-off, music was part of one’s life.”

“Two of the earliest restaurants that promoted live pop music in Bandra were Lunik and Gazebo on Linking Road, usually featuring Sunday morning jam sessions.”

“The Combustibles and other bands also needed a network of amazingly skilled local craftsmen who could repair and build guitars and amplifiers and sound-systems to enable the music to sound as well as was possible in those days. Who could forget Freddy Fernandes, who lived at the end of St. Andrew’s Road, adjacent to the famous Hersch Bakery, and was the magician of choice in keeping guitars and amplifiers working.”

“It’s indeed been a long and fun journey for The Combustibles with unexpected twists and turns. But at the end of the day, all its members proudly still say, “We’re A Bandra Band!”

combustibles-ad Ad Design: @paulignacio

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6 comments

Wavell
August 10, 2015 at 8:22 pm

Can anyone share any information of Le Phantoms – Harry Manning, Eusden Dias, Shuffy and the various drummers like Croyden Mayben, Carlyle Curry?

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The Band
August 10, 2015 at 10:02 pm

Hi – This is Nissim. I do know about Le Phantoms but don’t have any contact with them. However, you mention Croyden Mayben – who was our drummer with The Combustibles till November 1969 and who is a great friend. Croyden is still very much in Bombay and we are in touch with him.

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Carl fonseca
October 31, 2019 at 7:20 am

Eusden Dias I met in Delhi after mass about 5 years ago, sad indeed I lost his phone number to the lazy mobile phone, not like before that small telephone book came out of the wallet to note down the number. Eusden was my neighbour in Bandra West, chapel road.
Carl fonseca

Reply
Megha
August 26, 2021 at 3:37 pm

Hi Mr. Dias is working in DPS international, New Delhi . His phone number is +91 98916 78620

Reply
Freddy
May 29, 2020 at 11:06 am

Is George still alive? I’d left my visiting card at his house about two years ago, but I’ve had no call from him. if he’s there then please give him my number. 9820219457. Freddy the Vox fixer.

Reply
The Band
May 29, 2020 at 9:10 pm

Hi, Freddy:

Thanks for reaching out and George is very much around and I have forwarded your message to him

Glad to hear from you as always. The miracle you pulled off with the Vox amp retrieved from the bottom of the Arabian Sea docks in Bombay after our show at the training ship Dufferin, will never be forgotten!

Take care – Nissim

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