| Gandhi's Cookbook | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Genres | Ska punk Hardcore punk |
| Years active | 2006 — 2010 |
| Website | Official Myspace page |
Gandhi's Cookbook were a ska punk/hardcore punk band based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. They split up in October 2010.[1]
Contents |
The roots of Gandhi's Cookbook began with Chris Ryan, Rob Courtis and Scott Morrison playing music together with several schoolfriends, but without this amounting to much. Martin B became acquainted with the others through a mutual friend, and soon afterwards, due to a mutual love of the Dead Kennedys, Martin was invited to be the nascent group's vocalist.[2]
After a few rehearsals, playing covers of 1980s hardcore punk songs, and the writing a handful of original material (some of which was to comprise the 2008 release In the Cesspool of Culture) the newly named Gandhi's Cookbook played their first live show in late 2006, at the sixth installment in a series of events held by local Dubai organization Ignite Events, called 'The Assembly'. Rob Courtis left for Australia shortly afterwards to pursue his studies; his bass playing duties were assumed by Adarsh Sekhar.
The band continued to write new material and to rehearse, as well as playing a number of shows at The Springs skate park and at DIY house shows. Although some amateur recordings had been made in the past, the now-cemented Gandhi's Cookbook lineup decided to record an album of all the original material they had written up until that point. This was to be their debut EP, In the Cesspool of Culture. Over time, Chris had been accumulating knowledge of recording and had begun to set up a small recording studio in his bedroom, which was to be where the album was recorded. The recording of eight songs was completed by the end of 2007, and in early 2008 the EP was released.
Following the release of the EP the four bandmembers continued to play shows around Dubai, gaining publicity via such media outlets as Time Out Dubai Magazine and the radio stations Dubai 92.0FM and 103.8FM, as well as in underground media such as podcasts and zines. In 2008, Gandhi's Cookbook completed a tour of India, and released the 'Egotistical Game / War' online single upon their return to Dubai. This release would feature two songs from the follow-up full-length album 'Under Construction', a split CD with local punk band Public Refuse. Released shortly after their joint 'Under Construction' UK tour in 2009, this was the first album and tour to feature new guitarist George Hughes.[3]
In their own words:
| “ | The name 'Gandhi's Cookbook' is an analogy. Mankind strives to achieve a high level of stature in society, such as that of Mahatma Gandhi, but instead of putting in the work and sacrifice that he did, men would prefer to have things handed to them and spoon-fed to them, in an easy-to-consume, concise 'how-to' guide such as a cookbook: Gandhi's Cookbook. | ” |
Gandhi's Cookbook were adamant in the propagation of their image and their views, and always ensured that people were provided with an accurate understanding of their lyrics and opinions. For example, an explanation of the band's name was written on the first page of the In the Cesspool of Culture lyric booklet and on their Myspace page to ensure that no misunderstandings might arise in relation to the band's name.
The band promoted a DIY ethic and independent thinking in their lyrics and in their statements, and endeavoured to see both sides of an issue when writing a song.[5]
| Year | Title | Other information |
| 2007 | 3 Songs from the Cesspool | Free online three-track sampler from In the Cesspool of Culture |
| 2008 | In the Cesspool of Culture | Debut eight-track EP |
| 2008 | Egotistical Game / War | Free online single |
| 2009 | Under Construction split CD | Ten-track split CD with Public Refuse |
Note: these are compilation albums featuring multiple artists. Most of them contain only one or two Gandhi's Cookbook songs.
| Year | Song Title | Album Title | Label | Other information |
| 2006 | "Down Your Throat", "No Thoughts" | Ampulance Compilation Volume 1 | Ampulance | Compilation |
| 2007 | "Plaid Parade" | Ampulance Compilation Volume 2 | Ampulance | Compilation |
| 2009 | "Bloody Revolutions" | Ampulance Compilation Volume 3 | Ampulance | Compilation |