Deciphering Cypher16

UK-band Cypher, that will perform in the city tomorrow, gets talking music and more
For a bunch of guys who���������ve named their band after a code, we find that the members of Cypher 16 are surprisingly open with their responses, when we caught up with them for an interview. One of the leading acts in the alternative/epic metal scene in Britain, the line-up, comprising Jack Doolan, Stuart Deards, Carl Dawkins and Chris Woollams, now gets set for its third musical stint in India ��������� this time, in Chennai, alongside other city bands, in the Saturday Night Live show.
Why the name, we ask, to start off with, and are told that they were originally called Cypher, a different spelling of the word cipher which means ���������code���������.���������The 16 was added later to avoid legal complications with other artists who might also be called Cypher. And although it���������s an unusual choice of name, it seemed to be popular and ended up sticking,��������� explains Jack Doolan, front man and guitarist. Elaborating on their brand of music, he says, ���������Our specialty lies in creating a unique sound, incorporating metal with electronic elements, alongside clean vocals. We are influenced by all sorts of genres, but bands like Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, Meshuggah, Lamb of God and Gojira are favourites. However, we don���������t sound like any of them.���������
After shows in 2009 and 2010 in India, Jack explains that their expectations are sky high this time around. ���������The reaction we received in Bangalore last year was incredible. We hope to experience the same in Chennai too,��������� he says, adding, ���������I think ���������energy��������� is a good word to sum the band up, especially when we perform live. We are very interactive, as our fans from our earlier shows in the country will be aware of, and are about making massive music and sharing it with as many people as possible.��������� And have they been exposed to Indian music forms? ���������Musically, the western tuning system is very different to the systems used in other parts of the world, so it���������s always fascinating to listen to stuff that is constructed in a manner completely unfamiliar to us ��������� Indian ragas for example,��������� he replies.
As for their plans for the future, Jack concludes, ���������We���������ve just released a new music video for a single of ours and we���������re doing a lot of promotion for that. Around November, we will start writing our next record that will be accompanied by various tours ��������� no doubt, including India once more!���������