Did we choose the time or did time choose us?

In the early nineties, the average Bengali youth was restless with the farcical socio - political system, the apprehensions of globalization and a sense of alienation.
 
Every initiation, most certainly, is derived from a need - a need to improve the existing state. We were no exception.
 
Circa 1990, the music scene in Bengal was a complete contrast to the present one. We had to satisfy ourselves by taking pride in the music composed much before we were born. The youth was unable to identify with the contemporary music of the time and we also experienced the same emotions.

Moreover, the average Bengali was not used to the idea of Bangla rock. A very small percentage of the mass would listen to rock music which was essentially in the English language. There was also a severe lack of identification with the local music culture which was only doing English rock music. This led to a sense of dissatisfaction, leaving the youth disoriented and confused.

Some hope had to germinate...

Or rather, a statement - Bold and emphatic!
By the youth and for the youth…


Thus, "CACTUS", an outfit that catered to the thirsty youth, was born. We derived our name from the fact that the music scene was then devoid of life as in a desert. And despite the odds, like a cactus, we survived...

Cactus was formed way back in 1992. Inspired by the likes of DEEP PURPLE, PINK FLOYD, LED ZEPPELIN, IRON MAIDEN and many others, we started the journey with the purpose of doing rock n' roll in a language closer to our soil, thereby expanding our vistas and erasing all existing limitations. Cactus went on to become the first ever professional Bangla rock band.
 
The professional debut of the band saw the light of the day on 6th March,1993 at Aban Mahal (CLT), Kolkata.
 
We tasted some success when our first self-titled album was released in 1999 by HMV with the following members:
 
VOCALS-      SIDDHARTHA
GUITARS-     SANJAY
KEYBOARD-    KANISKA(PINKY)
BASS-        SHUBAYAN
DRUMS -      SIBAJI (BAJI)
VOCALS-      RAJESH
LYRICS -     AVIJIT (BABI)



In 2003, for the first time in the history of Bangla music, a Bangla rock band was associated with a Bengali movie titled 'NIL NIRJONE'. Cactus composed and performed all the songs in the movie along with a bit of acting thrown in.


In October 2004 the second album of Cactus titled 'RAJAR RAJA' was released by ASHA AUDIO.

Along this journey we had to part ways with many of our friends for different reasons - some personal, some not. However, we also made many new friends who have helped evolve the sound of Cactus.
 
The current lineup of Cactus is
 
VOCALS-      SIDDHARTHA
VOCALS-      SAYAK
GUITARS-     ALLAN
KEYBOARDS-   BUTI
BASS-        SANDIP
DRUMS -      BAJI

We have done over 2000 shows since we started and the journey towards the sun continues. We welcome you to be a part of this magical journey...

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© 2007 cactusmusic.com

 

Every initiation most certainly is derived from a need. A need to improve the existing states - the picture was no different in our case. Around (date - 1990's) the music scenario of Bengal was a complete contrast to the present one. We had to satisfy ourselves by taking pride in the music composed much before we were born. More specifically the youth was disoriented and confused, as they were unable to identify with the music of the past era. We suffered through the same emotions. There was a severe lack of identification with the local music. The youth disoriented and confused experienced a sense of dissatisfaction creeping in. Some hope had to germinate. Thus "CACTUS" an outfit that catered to the thirsty youth. We derived our name from the fact that the music scene was then deprived of life as in a desert. We survived amongst all odds. Back in early 90's, the average Bengali was not used to the idea of banglaa rock. A very small percentage of the mass used to listen to rock music that was essentially in English. Cactus was formed way back in 1992. Inspired by DEEP PURPLE, PINK FLOYD, LED ZEPPELIN and IRON MAIDEN- we started the journey with the purpose of making some real good rock music in a language closer to our soil (we are the first ever organized banglaa rock act) thereby growing its vista (erasing its existing limitations).The professional debut of the band saw the light of the day on 6th March 1993 at Aban Mahal (CLT) Kolkata. It tasted some success when our first self titled album came out in 1999 released from HMV with the following departments taken care of: VOCALS- SIDDHARTHA, GUITARS- SANJAY, KEYBOARD-KANISKA, BASS-SHUBAYAN, DRUMS -SIBAJI, VOCALS-RAJESH and AVIJIT (BABI) lyric. Along this journey we had to part ways with many of our friends for different reasons some personal some not. Like in 2000 RAJESH had to leave the band in order to take care of his family business and AVIJIT (POTA) joined and aptly shouldered the responsibility. In 2003 for the first time in the history of banglaa music, a banglaa rock band got associated with a Bengali movie titled NIL NIRJONE and the soundtrack for the movie was released. Cactus (VOCALS- SIDDHARTHA, GUITARS- SANJAY, KEYBOARD-KANISKA, VOCALS-POTA, BASS-SHUBAYAN and DRUMS -SIBAJI) composed and performed all the songs in the movie along with a bit of acting thrown here and there. In early 2002 SHUBAYAN left the band in order to focus on his business and SANDIP joined the band to carry on the bass duties. In early 2004 KANISKA decided to leave Cactus in order to concentrate on studio and background scores and SUDIPTO stepped into his shoes. In October 2004 the second album of Cactus titled RAJAR RAJA was released from ASHA AUDIO and this time the line up was VOCALS- SIDDHARTHA, GUITARS- SANJAY, BASS-SANDIP, KEYBOARD-SUDIPTO, VOCALS-POTA and DRUMS -SIBAJI. In early 2005 we had to part ways with POTA due to some difference in musical ideologies that could have hampered the bands movement towards a new musical route. Thus SAYAK was roped in to carry on the voyage. And the journey towards the sun is still on… you are welcome to join and be a part of history…………