Desert disks
As Dubai-based rockers Mannikind get ready to blast their guitar-driven nu-metal at this year’s Dubai Desert Rock crowd, What’s On finds out what’s lurking in their record collection.
SAMI SHOBAKI
Rafi - Banana Phone
I feel in times like these the shallow and unsympathetic music industry often forgets the political struggle of banana/fruitbased communication technology. This song deals with the ins-andouts of life as a banana phone, both cellular and modular, and the bias imposed on them not only by the media but also by their heavy-handed parents and iron-fisted traditionalists. Phone rights is an issue which has provided much controversy. Never has such social divide been so evident since the infamous “bunching” case of 1967.
JONNY AITKEN
Slipknot - Purity
I heard Slipknot’s eponymous album when I had just begun playing drums. Listening to Joey Jordison blew my mind – I never imagined drums could be played so amazingly. Ever since, Joey has been my number one drummer and inspiration. Purity is my favourite song from this album but owing to legal disputes over the lyric content, the song was never officially released. Purity highlights the wrongs in human nature, as well as being a powerful song with very creative drums (which I still can’t figure out how to play).
JASON CONELLY
Deftones - Digital Bath
Deftones have been a significant bridge for certain events in my life. I can’t help but use their songs in relation to my own experiences, although the literal meanings behind the lyrics do not always apply. Digital Bath is one of these songs – it’s extremely emotional and can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Often said to be about a man’s sinister obsession with a girl he eventually electrocutes in a bathtub, the song to me does not mean anything specific. It’s pure emotion, which is the greatest quality of a song, as it cannot be heard, just felt.
OZZIE RODGERS
Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven
Despite the fact that I don’t listen to them much anymore, I can safely say that this song had the most significant effect on me out of all the songs I’ve ever listened to. I’ve always said that it is arguably the most complete rock song ever composed; it has awe-inspiring melodies, fantastic lyrics and, above all, an absolutely killer guitar solo. The most significant thing about it is that it represents an era of music that surpasses anything that the packaged new-age artists are pushing out today. Stairway to Heaven is one of the great rock benchmarks.
JONNY RYAN
Dropkick Murphys - Rocky Road to Dublin
The Dropkicks are an Irish punk band from Boston. This song is a blend of punk and traditional Irish music, which are two of my favourite genres. I like the way the one bar tin whistle intro breaks into the song. It’s one of my favourite songs because I can listen to it in the car or at a party and it usually lifts my mood. I always wanted to find a band that had Celtic influences, being Irish myself. Another great Irish punk band are Flogging Molly – along with Dropkick Murphys these are probably the two bands that I listen to and like most at the moment.