Rock Machine Indus Creed was originally called Rock Machine, a group formed in 1984 by Mahesh Tinaikar (lead guitar), Mark Selwyn (bass), Ian Santamaria (vocals), Aftab Currim (rhythm guitar), and Suresh Bhadricha (drums). After playing just a few concerts in 1984, the lineup went through some changes. Jayesh Gandhi replaced Currim, Mark Menezes took Bhadricha's chair, and Uday Benegal took over from Santamaria as lead vocalist. A few months later, Zubin Balaporia joined the band, adding keyboards. Tinaikar, Selwyn, Gandhi, Benegal, and Balaporia remained the core members of the band for a major portion of its existence. Rock Machine started out as a
cover band, playing a mix of mainstream rock and hard rock by such bands as
Thin Lizzy,
UFO,
The Who,
Deep Purple,
Van Halen, and
Rush. Rock Machine were one of the earliest bands in India to tour the country extensively, performing at colleges and independent rock festivals. The band eventually began to write and perform their own songs. In 1988, Rock Machine released their first album, ''Rock'n'Roll Renegade''. Hailed as India's first all-original rock album, it was a major success.
Reunion In 2008, Uday Benegal relocated back to Mumbai, where he and Mahesh Tinaikar teamed up to create the acoustic project Whirling Kalapas. In 2010, Benegal and Tinaikar regrouped with ex-bandmate Zubin Balaporia to reform Indus Creed. They recruited bass player Rushad Mistry and drummer Jai Row Kavi to complete the outfit, now down to a five-piece from the original six-member group. The newly formed Indus Creed was officially launched on 7 October 2010, when they headlined
Harley-Davidson's Harley Rock Riders concert at Hard Rock Cafe Mumbai. In December 2010, the band embarked on their Reboot Tour, headlining concerts and festivals across India, including the Cherrapunjee Indigenous Festival in
Meghalaya, Harley Rock Riders finale in New Delhi,
Independence Rock Festival XXV in Mumbai, and the South Asian Bands Festival in New Delhi. In June 2011, Indus Creed was inducted into the Indian Recording Arts Academy Hall of Fame.
Evolve (2012) Indus Creed released
Evolve, their first album in seventeen years, on 21 April 2012, through Universal Music. Featuring eight songs, the album was produced by Indus Creed, mixed by
Grammy-nominated mixing engineer
Tim Palmer, and mastered by Andy VanDette. The band was subsequently featured on the cover of a number of magazines, including
Rolling Stone Indias February 2012 issue. Indus Creed was the big winner at the Jack Daniel's JD Rock Awards 2013, held at
Mehboob Studios in Mumbai, taking home Best Band, Best Keyboardist, and Best Drummer trophies for their album
Evolve. They had been nominated in seven categories, including Best Album, Best Song, Best Vocalist, and Best Guitarist. ==Band members==