The members of Post Mark.
Imphal, Sep 25 : As a mark of tribute to Post Mark, a local band that pioneered heavy metal songs in Manipur, their fans collected enough funds to send the existing band members to Bangalore to attend a concert by Metallica on October 30.
Fans of Post Mark, numbering more than 1,000 around the world, collected the funds through an online group, rockmusicmanipur, and social networking site Facebook.
“We are grateful to the fans who donated money for the band members' trip to Bangalore and their journey back. We will bear everything, including the travel expenses and accommodation for the band members,” said Keisam Parmeshore, a spokesman for the fan group, here today.
“We never dreamt that we could watch a concert by Metallica. Thanks to the fans and their support. We will be getting a lifetime’s opportunity of watching the band perform live. We think our efforts did not go in vain,” Paras Nongmaithem, drummer of Post Mark, said.
Post Mark came into existence in 1989. They released an album titled Stamp on You and used to sing songs of Jamaica’s Bob Marley and Japan’s Loudness. But they loved to sing Metallica more than any other group.
The group faded away after its vocalist Abungcha Kshetrimayum died suddenly, after the group started creating waves not only in Manipur but also outside the state.
Abungcha died at a time when music companies like Magnasound of Mumbai wanted to record their songs.
The group was very popular because it blended heavy metal with local beats, adding a local flavour to their songs. Their album had 12 songs.
The number Soar high was based on the drum beat of thabal chongba, famous Meitei dance. Most of the songs had music from tribal dance, Ras Lila and Lai Haraoba, other traditional dance forms of Manipur.
“I was only in Class VIII when I first went to a concert of Post Mark at Yumnam Leikai in Imphal city. I found roots of the state in the heavy metal songs. I simply loved the group and followed them wherever they performed in and around the city,” said Parmeshore, who played a major role in collecting the funds.
There were many rock groups in the state during that time. But Post Mark left an indelible mark.
Of the six surviving members of the group, only the drummer is still a musician. The rest went on to different professions.
The fan group said guitarist Imocha Phurailatpam could not be traced.
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