Skinny Alley

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Skinny Alley
Origin	Kolkata, India
Genre(s)	Rock Alternative Pop Funk
Years active	1999 - present
Label(s)	EMI India (till 2005), Counter Culture (2007-)
Website	Skinny Alley Online
Members
Jayashree Singh Amyt Datta Gyan Singh Jeffrey Menezes Jeffrey Rikh

Skinny Alley is a band comprising some of India's most experienced and versatile musicians. As a name and concept, Skinny Alley was formed in the late ninetines, though the musicians have been playing together in various bands since the 1970s.

[edit] The Band

Jayashree Singh Vocals
Amyt Datta Guitars
Gyan Singh Bass and Vocals
Jeffrey Menezes Keyboards and Vocals
Jeffrey Rikh Drums and Vocals.

Each of the five members of Skinny Alley brings a wealth of experience that contributes richly to the sound of the band. The musicians performed in several bands all over the country and outside, playing music that spans many decades and even more styles, ranging from rock and roll to reggae, from funk to fusion, and from jazz-inflected pop to the blues. The band has played to diverse crowds, from college campuses to plush clubs and from coffee-houses to football stadiums.

The original music of Skinny Alley reflects all of this; incorporating the maturity, the skills, the influences and the experience of the five musicians. This is a new sound and we believe that it is here to stay. [1]

The band has released two albums: 2003's Escape The Roar, the first Indian English language album released by a major label (EMI), and 2007's Songs From The Moony Boom

Jayashree Singh, Amyt Datta and Gyan Singh also perform with drummer Jivraj Singh in an experimental rock quartet called pinknoise

[edit] 2007: Songs From The Moony Boom / Counter Culture Records

Album Cover

Inner Artwork

Skinny Alley recorded this CD in the “Moony Boom”, a 12’x12’ rehearsal space in Gyan and Jay’s home, on a soon-to-be defunct 8 track machine; live, loud and totally lo-fi. Needless to say, the neighbours were not too pleased. The CD was mastered by Eddie Miller (ex-Prince, Action Figure Party, Metric, Kylie Minogue etc.) in Los Angeles. In keeping with the ethos of the rest of the album, of course, he didn’t get paid.

The songs on the CD somehow fit the manner of recording. They are real and raw and many emerged out of jams. One tune, Shape Your Life, was created as the band jammed to get recording levels and we decided to keep that very cut without any kind of editing. Only the vocal was added later.

The CD is being released by Counter Culture Records which the band feels great about, as the CD has a pretty “counter culture” feel to it. [2]

Review of the album in The Hindu : [3]