From the scenic hills of Sikkim to international stages, rockers Girish and The Chronicles (GATC) have carved a reputation as one of India’s most electrifying hard rock bands. Known for their high-octane vocals, searing guitar riffs, and the unapologetic spirit of old-school rock, the band led by frontman Girish Pradhan on vocals, Yogesh Pradhan on bass, Suraz Karki on lead guitars and Nagen Mongrati on drums, has become a force in the country’s rock and metal scene.

With an ever growing fanbase, global tours, three albums, performing with Chris Adler, G N’ R, and a recent appearance early this year on America’s Got Talent, GATC continue to prove that Indian rock ‘n’ roll is not just alive, it’s roaring louder than ever.

GATC performed on Day Three - Sunday 16^th November 2025 at Olly Fest which is sponsored by Maharashtra Tourism, powered by Aspect.

Verus Ferreira spoke with Girish Pradhan, on the formation of the band, their albums, its appearance on AGT and their future plans.

Take us back to the beginning — how did your musical journey start, and how was Girish and the Chronicles formed?

Well, this story is never complete without mentioning my younger brother, Yogesh Pradhan. We grew up in Gangtok, Sikkim, in a home filled with music - our mother is a Nepali folk and classical singer, so it was always part of our lives. We started performing in school, inspired by bands like Guns N’ Roses and Iron Maiden, and soon formed our first band. Over time, that passion evolved into Girish and The Chronicles in 2009. What started as a small dream from the hills has now taken us to stages around the world. With Suraz and Nagen as two of the first ones in the line up since 2006, were all more like a family, and it’s amazing that this ship is still sailing strong.

From what I understand is that you and guitarist Suraz Sun started the band back in 2006 in Gangtok, Sikkim. However the group is named after you as Girish and the Chronicles. Why did you guys decide to have your name headlining the band and tell us on the formation of the band, your meet up with bassist Yogesh Pradhan and drummer Nagen Nags to complete the group’s lineup?

This story actually goes way back. Going back to the beginning, Yogesh and I had a band in school, which pretty much kicked this whole thing off. We gained a lot of stage experience during those days, and with our dad backing us, we were getting proper guidance on how to move forward. However, being in a place like Gangtok, it wasn’t common at all for anyone to pursue music as a career at that time. Still, that very fact made us believe even more that this was something we could take further in the future. Long story short, by the time I was in college, Yogesh had already headed to Chennai to study sound engineering. Around 2005–2006, I got acquainted with Suraz, who used to come to my college as a participant in one of the annual music fests. I called him up soon after I left college, and he introduced me to Nagen, our current drummer. Before long, I realized it would take a lot more than just forming a band to fulfill the vision I had in mind. So, the next few years had me travelling through a few cities like Gurgaon, Delhi, and Kathmandu, learning about different music scenes, doing solo gigs, and performing with various bands along the way. By 2009, I finally came back home. Yogesh suggested that we record our first single together, and around that time, we started doing unplugged shows at a local venue called Cafe Live and Loud. That’s when we recorded tracks like Angel and Golden Crown. I was actually on the verge of releasing a solo album then, and my YouTube channel (now renamed Girish and The Chronicles) was starting to do quite well. That was really the beginning of the GATC chapter. During one of our shows, Nagen and another musician named Noel, a bit of a veteran in the local scene, approached me about joining my sessions. By then, the name Girish had started to go around, and it was becoming a brand in itself. So, I suggested we call the band “Girish and The Chronicles.” The word “Chronicles” actually came from a short-lived group I was once part of back in Kathmandu, but I liked the name and decided to carry it forward. Right before heading out for our first performance outside Sikkim, Suraz called up and said he’d love to join the gang. Yogesh, meanwhile, was producing our songs remotely, and he officially joined the lineup the following year. And that’s kind of how it all began, in short.

What drew you towards heavy metal as your genre of choice? Which bands shaped your early influences?

Growing up watching MTV, we were exposed to incredible bands like The Eagles, Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, Guns N’ Roses, and so many others who really shaped our early sense of music. Our school environment also encouraged us to explore western music, which played a big role in broadening our horizons. As we grew and evolved as musicians, so did our taste. We naturally gravitated towards heavier sounds, the energy, the emotion, and the power of rock and metal. It felt like a space where we could truly express ourselves, and that journey has shaped the sound you hear from us today.

When did you first realise you wanted to be a vocalist? Who were your biggest inspirations, and how did you train your voice over the years?

I am a self-taught musician and actually started out playing the guitar. During one of our school band performances, I had to unexpectedly fill in for the vocalist, and that’s when it hit me that singing was truly my thing. From there, I started pushing myself to hit the notes of legends like Bruce Dickinson and Axl Rose, just trying to match that power and range. Over time, that constant trial, passion, and love for the craft helped me shape my own voice and style.

Having toured across several countries, which destination remains on your list of dream stages to perform on?

Now it’s all about the big festivals like Wacken, Graspop, Hellfest, Download, and so many others. We really hope to hit those stages soon. And of course, we’d love to tour alongside some of the bands we grew up listening to.

You performed with Chris Adler’s band during his India tour — how did that collaboration come about, and what was the experience like? You also opened for Guns N’ Roses in Abu Dhabi in 2023. What was that moment like for the band?

That was an incredible phase for us. My friend, now our manager, Subhash Rao reached out to me about performing as the supporting band for Chris Adler’s India tour. Over the course of the tour, Chris really connected with my vocals, and that eventually led to us forming a project together called Firstborne along with guitarist Myrone. It is a fantastic experience working with such world-class musicians. And opening for Guns N’ Roses, not once but twice, was beyond a dream come true. Those are the artists we grew up idolizing, and to share the stage with them felt like everything we’ve worked for as musicians coming full circle.

Could you walk us through your songwriting process? Is it a collaborative effort or led by specific members?

It’s always a group effort, with Yogesh and me mainly taking on the roles of producers. We bring ideas to the table and keep building on a song together. Our main goal is to make sure the music stays interesting while preserving the core idea of the song. We usually start by writing the instrumentals first. We love sudden twists and turns, and we don’t really limit ourselves to any particular style. The next album, for instance, might begin with some grungy elements, and we could end up shaping the entire record around that vibe while giving it our own twist. I usually start working on the lyrics and melodies after the instrumental is done, unless I already have ideas forming while writing the guitar riffs. That approach gives me a lot of room to experiment with the vocals. I also like taking my time to complete every song. When it comes to lyrics, it really depends on my state of mind at the time, though I often touch on broader, universal themes as well. A lot of what you hear might be quite personal to me.

Being from Sikkim and singing primarily in English, have you ever considered creating music in Hindi or Nepali

Honestly, I never thought in such terms and that’s pretty much the same for everyone else, as far as GATC is concerned. If I ever write in another languages, it would be because I really wanted to, perhaps inspired by some event. Having said that, we did release a semi Nepali single last year, named Kaal. I guess I just got so deeply soaked into the world of rock and metal, and all the artists I grew up idolising were doing it in English, I ended up wanting to do the same, and ask kids you don’t really think in terms of “Language”, and “Community”.

Your first single Angel released in 2009, while your debut album “Back on Earth” came out five years later. What caused the delay between the two?

That’s true. Angel was our first official release back in 2009, but at the time, we were still figuring out our direction as a band. We were touring extensively, writing a lot of material, and constantly evolving our sound. We didn’t want to rush the process, we wanted our first album to truly represent who we were. So, we took our time to refine the music, the production, and the identity of GATCbefore putting it out into the world.

Your subsequent albums “Rock the Highway” (2020) and “Hail to the Heroes” (2022) showcased strong evolution. How do these records differ in sound and vision?

Each album reflects a different chapter in our journey. ‘Rock the Highway’was more of a nostalgic tribute to the golden era of rock and metal, it celebrated the sounds that inspired us growing up. ‘Hail to the Heroes’, on the other hand, marked a shift in maturity and perspective. It carried a stronger message, more personal storytelling, and a modern edge in its production. Together, they show how we’ve evolved from celebrating our influences to truly finding and defining our own voice. We’re anyway a band that keeps evolving and changing. You never know what’s next.

The band made headlines after your America’s Got Talent appearance earlier this year. How did that opportunity arise, and why did you choose to perform Adele’s Set Fire to the Rain instead of one of your originals?

 The AGT team actually discovered us through a viral sound check video of mine that had been doing the rounds online, and from there, everything just fell into place. It felt like an incredible opportunity we couldn’t miss. We chose Set Fire to the Rain because it’s such a powerful, emotional song, and we wanted to give it our own rock ’n’ roll spin. Besides that, the Production team is also fully involved in the discussions and all that. So it was not completely in our hands our sound. It was also a great way to reach out to a new set of fans who were not necessarily into Rock and Metal. The great thing is that it worked exactly how we wanted it to. The response was so amazing, that we have actually released a studio version of the track.

Was there a specific turning point when you felt Girish and the Chronicles had truly arrived?

Honestly, we’ve never really thought of it as “arriving.” Every milestone, whether it was releasing our first album, touring internationally, or performing on America’s Got Talent - has just felt like another step forward in a long journey. We’re grateful for how far we’ve come, but we still feel there’s so much more to learn, create, and experience.

How do you view the current rock and metal scene in India? Do you feel it’s gaining the recognition it deserves?

Rock and metal have always been an evergreen genre, they never really fade away, they just evolve with time. The scene in India today is thriving in its own unique way, with a lot of talented bands pushing boundaries and gaining global recognition. Bands like Bloodywood, for instance, have really put Indian metal on the world map. It’s amazing to see how the community continues to grow and inspire a new generation of musicians and fans alike. I’d say the scene is going international, but by bit.

You performed at the debut edition of Olly Fest in Mumbai. How was it?

It was a a power-packed set full of energy, emotion, and a few surprises. We performed some of our most loved songs along with a sneak peek of a track from our upcoming album. It was a night to remember- pure rock ’n’ roll.

Finally, what’s next for GATC — new releases, tours, or collaborations planned for 2026?

2026 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for us. We’ve got a brand-new album in the works, which we’re aiming to release early next year. There are also plenty of shows and tours being planned both domestic and international- so definitely stay tuned, because there’s a lot more rock ’n’ roll coming your way.

Photos: Courtesy of the Artist

Interviewed by Verus Ferreira