Shrikant Sreenivasan
| Shrikant Sreenivasan | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Scarecrow |
| Born | June 15, 1989 |
| Genres | Heavy metal, hard rock, blues rock, Progressive rock, Progressive metal, Alternative rock, ambient, Electronic Music |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Composer, Guitar Teacher |
| Instruments | Electric guitar, Acoustic guitar, Bass guitar, Programming |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | Universal Music India |
| Associated acts | Coshish, Fraunikus, Albatross, Paradigm Shift |
| Website | Official Website |
| Notable instruments | |
| Blade Durango Deluxe DD3 | |
Shrikant Sreenivasan (born 15 June 1989) is a Mumbai-based musician, composer and guitar instructor, best known for his position as the guitar player for the pioneering progressive rock band from India called Coshish. He has also worked with artists such as Albatross, The Chudail and Demons and Paradigm Shift in the past. Along with Coshish, he is also a part of an instrumental project (symphonic/post rock) called Fraunikus which was formed in early 2015.
Biography
Early years and personal life
Shrikant was born in Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, a residential township which was funded by the central (federal) government. He started playing the guitar at the age of 12, under the influence of his brother who always wanted to learn the instrument but could never do so due to his studies. So he decided to gift an acoustic guitar to Shrikant on his 12th birthday. Since he lived in a township where there were only engineers, doctors and scientists (majorly), he couldn't find a guitar teacher who could teach him. He finally found a local tutor and learned sight reading for a couple of years. After taking a few lessons from a local tutor, he began learning on his own by playing regularly with other budding musicians.[1] It was then that his journey as a musician began to take shape and he realized that music was his calling.
High school life
At the age of 16, he met his classmate Mayank Sharma (currently the drummer for a Mumbai-based groove metal band, Zygnema). Soon they started sharing music and covering songs of their favorite bands. He formed his first band in Atomic Energy Junior College (high school), in Anushakti Nagar. They played their first show in AEJC's annual festival called Aaina Festival. The show was organized by Shrikant himself and is still considered as AEJC's most memorable rock show ever.
Coshish story
In mid 2006, Shrikant met Mangesh Gandhi at an audition where they were auditioning for a metal band. Shrikant was heavily into extreme metal back then and was not open to playing anything other than metal music. They were inside a lift when Mangesh asked Shrikant if he'd be interested in joining a Hindi band. Back then, being in a Hindi band was considered to be doing something commercial like Bollywood. This very mindset was letting Shrikant think twice about the decision but soon after a few minutes of conversation between the two, he agreed to join hands with Mangesh to form Coshish.
Influences and playing style
Shrikant Sreenivasan is known for his brilliant pinch harmonics and vibrato tricks. He is considered as the melodic guitar player amongst other guitarist players from Mumbai. He is widely influenced by Tony Iommi, Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde, Adrian Smith, Guthrie Govan, Marty Friedman, Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani, Adam Jones, Mikael Åkerfeldt, Steven Wilson.
Equipment
Shrikant is endorsed by Blade Guitars[2] and is currently using his Blade Durango Deluxe DD3. He is also endorsed by Laney Amplification[3] and is using Laney IRT-Studio[4] for all his live shows and studio work. He uses Line 6 POD HD500 for all his effects that go through the IRT-Studio.
Discography
- "Uncle Sunny at the Tavern", with Albatross (Composed/Arranged, The Kissing Flies EP, 2012)
- Coshish - Firdous (Full length album, 2013)
- "Prelude", with Eternal December (Guest guitar, 2013)
- "Raastey" (Single, 2013)
- "Bhula Do Unhey" (Single, 2014)
- "Hum Hai Yahin" (Single, 2014)
- "Purity", with Fraunikus (Guest guitar, 2014)