Fossils (band)

''Fossils'' (') is an Indian hard rock band from Bengal formed in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, in 1998. The group is considered one of the pioneering rock acts in Kolkata's Bengali music scene. The band currently comprises Rupam Islam (lead vocals, additional guitars), Deep Ghosh (rhythm guitar), Allan Temjen Ao (lead guitar), Tanmoy Das (drums), Prasenjit 'Pom' Chakraborty (bass guitar).

Their music is flavoured by a blend of blues, rock and psychedelia, hard rock along with Rupam Islam's vocal renditions of his characteristic psychoanalytical lyrics. They are noted for their social commentary and advocation of causes such as the welfare of HIV-positive people.

History

Formation and early years: 1998–2000

The band was formed by Rupam Islam. Their first stage show was held on 9 January 1999 at Najrul Mancha for Gaan 99 organised by His Master's Voice. While performing on stage as "Rupam Islam and group," Rupam announced the band's new name, Fossils. This initial show had Deep on acoustic guitar, Deep Ghosh on guitars, Tanmoy on bass, and Rajiv on drums. This line-up was short lived however, and the very next show saw Chandra and Teno on guitars, Baji on drums, Bumpy on bass, Jatu on keyboards and Rupam.

The group started to call themselves "Fossils" after a suggestion by their guitarist Deep. The name is inspired by a line from one of Rupam's lyrics: "''Khoro aamar fossil, onubhutir michhil protikriashil kono biplobe''" ().

The initial audience reaction to the band's music was negative. During their first few shows, they were met with jeering and hostility because of their rock style and techniques.

The band name was meant to convey a sense of an "underground" movement, as well as their belief that they would be fossilized in history, under the pressure of social disapproval of their music, only to be excavated decades later by musicologists wishing to discover the roots of Bengali rock.

The band would experience a flurry of line-up changes until the end of 1999, by which time a sort of permanency was achieved with Rupam (vocals), Chandra (bass), Allan (guitar), Deep (Rhythm Guitar), Stephen (drums), Indra (keyboards), and Parikhshit (manager) as the members.

In spite of the hostile feedbacks, the band decided to stick to their sound, and for the first time in the history of Indian Bengali rock, a full-fledged, continuous, effort was made to establish the Bengali rock sound.

Fossils: 2000–2003

In 2000, the band recorded a demo version of their tracks. They faced rejection several times from different record houses.

In 2001, the guitarist Allan left the band for a corporate career. Former members Teno and Deep re-joined in Allan's stead.

A contract was landed with Asha Audio and by the end of the same year, recording for the band's first studio album began. The recording had to start without Allan, whose departure was so sudden there was not enough time to rework their tracks. Some of the guitar tracks for this album had to be lifted from the demo version.
The album was entitled ''Fossils'' and released in 2002.
It was not an instant success, but the music caught on once the FM radio stations started broadcasting the tracks. The album's popularity has increased with time, and today it has achieved a cult following.

Teno left the band in 2002, and was replaced by Partha.

In 2003, the drummer Stephen underwent rehabilitation. Andre served as part-time drummer till Bubun joined.

By this time, the band had created a nice audience and dedicated following among the youth.

Fossils 2: 2004–2005

The band's second album, entitled ''Fossils 2'', was released in 2004.
It was then noted as the Bengali band album with the highest budget to date.
The album was partly sponsored by the Thums Up brand.
The mastering engineer was Steve Fallone of Sterling Sound, New York.

The band witnessed a surge in popularity.

In 2005, the manager Parikshit was expelled from the band; Rupam and Deep jointly took over his work. As of 2007, management has been handled by Deep and Rupam's wife Rupsha Dasgupta.

Mission F: 2006

The band's third studio album, entitled ''Mission F'', was released in 2006.
It was a theme album for the first Kolkata Police Friendship Cup Football Tournament.

A special track, "Aeka Nauo", dedicated to HIV positive people, was included in the album. It featured Usha Uthup and was produced in collaboration with the Kolkata Sukriti Foundation.
A free VCD distributed with the album contains the music video for the track, which shows HIV positive people with their faces uncovered interacting freely with Uthup and the band members.
The VCD also contained a chat session with band members.

Radio Mirchi collaborated with the band to produce two "unplugged" versions of previously recorded tracks that were included in the album.

According to a survey conducted by Radio Mirchi, ''Mission F'' was declared the best-selling album in Kolkata for the year 2006.

On Earth Day, the band covered Michael Jackson's Earth Song in Bengali exclusively for the news channel CNN IBN.

Aupodartho: 2007

In the first half of 2007, Rupam Islam worked on a separate project named ''RnB'' with the bassist Bumpy.

In the second half of 2007, the band released a music video album entitled ''Aupodartho''.

The album was scheduled to be launched in Music World, Park Street, Kolkata. The crowd turnout was so unexpectedly huge that fans had to be turned out and the outlet's premises closed. The police had a tough time controlling the crowd. The release eventually happened on the same day, with Rupam Islam placing himself atop a stool outside the outlet and addressing the fans without a microphone.

During the Pujas of 2007, Rupam Islam's 1998 solo album was re-launched by Saregama.

On 9 November, Fossils played lived for the first time in Bangladesh at the Dhaka Rock Fest 2007, the first ever international Bengali rock festival.

Fossils 3: 2008–2013

Fossils featured in the Rolling Stone India magazine in 2008.

The end of 2008 saw Fossils begin the recording of their fifth studio album, which was released on 19 September 2009. It was titled ''Fossils 3'' and developed as a concept album. It endeavours to tell the story of a mysterious character known only as ''Shada Jama'' (White Shirt) through the interlinked audio tracks as well as a separate graphic account contained in the inlay cards. Mayookh Bhowmick on the distortion tabla, Indrajit Dey (Indra) on the keyboards, and a team from the Kolkata Music Academy Chamber Orchestra led by Abraham Mazumder were the guest contributors to the album. Fossils 3 would go on to win in the Best Non-Film Album category of the Anandalok Awards 2009.

2009 marked the band's tenth anniversary.

The band's official fan club, Fossils Force, was launched the same year, which started their operations through a blood donation camp on 1 May 2009. They continue to engage in activities for social welfare, such as contributing to the relief of people affected by the Cyclone Aila and another blood donation camp in 2010.

''Rupam on the Rocks'', written by Rupam Islam and published by Ananda Publishers was launched at the Kolkata Book Fair 2009.

The same year saw Fossils touring the UK and Bangalore.

2010 started with a change in the line-up. Bubun was replaced by Tanmoy on the drums.

In July 2010, the band played live at Nashville in the United States. Due to the venue restrictions their performance was cut short. But owing huge demands they took to the stage the next day.

Later in the year, Rupam Islam won a National Film Award (Silver Lotus or ''Rajat Kamal'') in the Best Male Playback Singer category from the Government of India for his work in the film ''Mahanagar @ Kolkata''.

June 2011, Allan rejoined the band in place of Partha.

September 2011, Fossils visited Dhaka, Bangladesh for the third time.

July 2012, Fossils performed at Las Vegas, USA; which was a huge hit.

Fossils 4: 2014

The sixth studio album of the band is scheduled to be released on 19 October 2013 at City Centre II, Rajarhat – Kolkata. For the first time, the band has soft launched their album "Fossils 4" as full-length online streaming to the audience days before physical release of the album. It is also the first time the band holds both copyright and publishing rights of this album whil
INRECO
will do the distribution and marketing.
Sayantan the drummer joined as Tanmoy went for a degree. Tanmoy will be rejoining sooner as heard by the fans. another young artist from Kolkata, is set to join the band in 2017 as a bass guitarist and lyricist.

Fossils 5: 2017

Their 7th Studio album Fossils 5 was released on 8th December 2017. It included 4 songs & 3 of them were released with Music videos. The music videos were directed by renowned director Samik Roy Choudhury.

Fossils 6: 2019

Their latest album, Fossils 6 was released in 2019. The album contains 3 songs & was mixed & mastered by famous Producer Miti Adhikari who worked with Nirvana & Pearl Jam. This was the last album in which the band's Bassist Chandramouli Biswas contributed.

In 2018, Bassist Chandramouli Biswas left the band because of health issues. Chandramouli was known for his iconic basslines & his stage presence. he quickly developed a fan following among the audience. He was replaced by Prasenjit 'pom' Chakrabutty on bass who was previously their recording engineer.

Recent Years: 2020-present

After the pandemic Fossils have gained a huge number of fans, particularly among the younger generations recently due to the introduction of several music fests & expansion of shows. Their live shows are noted for highly immersive live background visuals which enhance their concert experience & add a psychedelic effect. the visuals are prepared & presented by their VJ Arindam Sen who is also a talented guitarist in the band What escapes me.

On 9th January 2023, they celebrated their 25th Anniversary by organising a concert named ‘Fossils Panchabingshoti’. It gathered a 7,000-plus strong crowd, delivering hit after massive hit for over two hours on the sprawling lawns of a south Kolkata venue.

They have also teased their next album 'Fossils 7' which is expected to be released in 2025. They have also performed some of the unreleased songs from their upcoming album in recent shows.

on 12th January 2025, Their former bassist Chandramouli Biswas died by suicide. It was reported that he was suffering from depression for a long time & had also struggled financially.

Discography

* ''Fossils 1'' (2002)
** Aaro Ekbar
** Ekla Ghor
** Nemesis
** Hansnuhana
** Dyakho Manoshi
** Bishakto Manush
** Niskramon
** Millennium
* ''Fossils 2'' (2004)
** Keno Korle
** Manob Boma
** Chhal
** Harano Podok
** Tritiyo Bishwa
** Acid
** 29 Se October
** Bicycle Chor
** Shasti
* ''Mission F'' (2006)
** Etwastata
** Sototar Bilashita
** Manob Boma
** Friendship Chai
** Bondhu He
** Kichuta Somoy
** Bishakta Manush
** Eka Naow
** Sono Amra Ki
** Hari Na
* ''Aupodartho'' (2007)
** Aupodartho ideo Album* ''Fossils 3'' (2009)
** Swabhabhik Khoon
** Maa
** Danober Utthan
** Guru
** Phire Chaulo
** Bidroher Pandulipi
** Mummy
** Bhoot Ar Tilottoma 1
** Dhongsho Romonthon
** Haspatale
** Mrityu: Mrityur Pore
** Railline-e Mrityu
** Schizophrenic Bra
** Bhoot Ar Tilottoma 2
* ''Fossils 4'' (2013)
** Khnoro Aamar Fossil
** Bñaador
** Haajar Bichhana
** Mohakaash
** Baari Esho
** Shoytaan
** Resolutions
** Sthaabor Austhaabor
** Mrityu
* ''Fossils 5'' (2017)
** Janla
** Stobdho Jibon
** Mrito Manush
** Palao
* ''Fossils 6'' (2019)
** Ghreena
** Hridoy Bhangbar Gaan
** Dewali Pee

Gallery

File:Fossilslive.jpg
File:Fossilslive2.jpg
File:Fossilslive3.jpg
File:Fossilslive4.jpg

See also

* Rupam Islam
* Music of India
* Indian rock

References

External links

*

Interview with Rupam Islam on Fossils


The Telegraph reports on Fossils 3 pre-release buzz

The Times of India reports on Bengali rock bands

Rupam Islam and composer Debojyoti Mishra talk about the history of comic songs in Bengal

The Telegraph reports on the impact of a new generation of singers on Bengali film music

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Indian progressive rock groups
Musical groups established in 1998
Bengali musical groups