The new world order, a parallel universe, Nostradamus, JRR Tolkein, democracy, political changes, economic low - rocking poetry, isn’t it? At a loss? Don’t be for when you meet the young members of Delhi-based rock band In Exile, content is the king, even if it’s least audible to the listener. Into Death Metal, for these teeny boppers, “Death is a necessary end, and death metal is not a tattoo piercing music. At least it’s not rapping about big cars, flashy clothes or girls. It’s not shallow, we work hard on our lyrics,” says Ajay, the vocalist who also pens the lyrics. “We are not a bunch of irritating, ignorant teenagers, we too have opinions and ideas,” thumps Revant, on the drums, who feels that all rockers have a heightened sense of hearing. “They have very well developed ears, and so can pick out the lyrics and notes,” Revant’s point of reference is the superfast death metal tracks which can leave anyone with a splitting headache. “That’s because it’s for the young and strong,” he says cheekily. But if they do end up with a hangover, then “it’s back to classic rock for a while,” says Abhimanyu, on the guitars.

Sitting there, in hard rock lounge, Rock in Rio, we were being served a set of two, one after the other. The seniors, obviously, bagged spot number one, while the juniors ambled in. Pieced together, they made quite an interesting subject for a copy. So, instead of cutting them into two which basically would result in a huge mood spoiler, we are serving them in one go, for rarely do you get two generations of rockers to sit and chat about their choices in life. “The preference was like an action reaction - an outlet to expression, which comes out beautifully through rock music,” say the seniors, Delhi-based award winning group, Them Clones. How they got their name was after Alice in Chains’ number Them Bones. “The clones is a metaphor for different emotions and moods,” explains Surojit Dev, the drummer. “In any case, you don’t choose rock, rock chooses you,” strings guitarist Gucci Singh. In Exile, (Wounded Apostles initially) the juniors fresh out of school-into-college share a similar sentiment, but while Them Clones have matured to mainstream rock music whose melodies are heavily influenced by pop and instrumentation by rock, In Exile worship Death Metal. “Fast, sick, brutal, gory, rash, gruesome lyrics and thrashing music, that’s Death Metal, it’s a fast and furious version of thrash,” say the members - Ajay, Vishesh, Abhimanyu and Revant. While the seniors are playing rock because they want to, the juniors are in it “to be taken seriously.”

Meanwhile, Them Clones, and the guys - Clarence Gonsalves on bass, Prithwish Dev on vocals/keyboard, Surojit and Gucci are beyond serious business. “In fact, we totally related to Abhishek Kapoor’s Rock On. Everyone goes through ego clashes, tiffs, change in the line-up, breakdowns…we know so many musicians in Delhi who have shut out music from their lives, who make a living through jingles and hate it, who work in corporates and jam on weekends like us…music is a 24/7 job, it’s a very tough field and survival is difficult,” says Prithwish and Surojit. “As you grow, you realize it’s not about the shows or playing or lyrics, it’s about being together,” reflects Clarence. But for the young guns raring to go, they assert “they’ll never give up on their music.”

In town for a concert along with Chandigarh’s 9th Cadaver, Them Clones have played for Sudhir Mishra’s Hazaaron Khwashishen Aisi, been selected by UN International to play against drug and human trafficking, featured in Great Indian Rock, Channel V, BBC Radio et al. “Our music has always stood up for a cause…cancer, AIDS, next is tiger conservation, terrorism, peace..” tells Surojit. But we leave you with Clarence’s rocking words: “It’s pointless playing for a cause. Be who you are for the change always comes from within.”