Gandhi's Cookbook

Gandhi's Cookbook is a ska punk/hardcore punk band based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

History

The roots of the Gandhi's Cookbook began with Chris Ryan, Rob Courtis and Scott Morrison playing music together with several school friends, but never amounting to much at all. After meeting Martin B through a mutual friend, the four became acquainted and soon after, due to a mutual love of the Dead Kennedys, Martin was invited to be the vocalist.

After having a few rehearsals together, playing a number of covers of 1980s hardcore punk songs and writing a handful of original material (some of which was to comprise the 2008 release In the Cesspool of Culture) the recently named Gandhi's Cookbook played their first live show in late 2006 - the sixth installment in a series of events held by local dubai organization Ignite Events called 'The Assembly'. Rob Courtis left to Australia shortly after to pursue his studies; his bass playing duties were taken over by Adarsh Sekhar, a classically trained guitarist who had just moved to Dubai.

Following this, the band continued to write new material and rehearse, as well as playing a number of shows at The Springs skate park and DIY house shows. Although some amateur recordings had been made in the past, the now-cemented Gandhi's Cookbook lineup decided upon recording an album of all the original material they had written up until that point - to be their debut EP In the Cesspool of Culture. Over time, Chris had been accumulating knowledge of recording and had begun to set up a small recording studio in his bedroom, which was to be where the album would be recorded. Recording of the 8 songs was finished by the end of 2007 and in early 2008, Gandhi's Cookbook released In the Cesspool of Culture.

After the release of the EP, the four members continued to play a number of shows around Dubai and gain publicity in such media as Timeout Dubai Magazine and Dubai 92.0FM, as well as many forms of underground media such as podcasts and zines. Recently, the band have done A Tour of India in the summer of 2008 and have begun writing new songs for an upcoming release featuring replacement guitarist George Hughes. Trendcrusher Podcast Episode 8

The name 'Gandhi's Cookbook'

In their own words:

Ideology

Gandhi's Cookbook are very adamant AbOUT the image and opinions they propagate and always ensure that people have understanding of where they are coming from with their lyrics and opinions. For example, a description behind the band's name is written on the first page of the In the Cesspool of Culture lyric booklet and on their myspace page so as to make sure there are no misunderstandings relating to the name.

The band promotes DIY ethic and independent thinking in their lyrics and in their statements and make sure to see both sides of an issue when writing a song.

Discography

LPs and EPs

Compilations

Note: these are compilation albums featuring multiple artists. Most of them contain only one or two Gandhi's Cookbook songs.

Members

Current

• Martin B - Vocals (2006 - present)
• George Hughes - Guitar (2009 - present)
• Adarsh Sekhar - Bass/Vocals (2007 - present)
• Chris Ryan - Drums/Vocals (2006 - present)

Former members

• Rob Courtis - Bass/Vocals (2006 - 2007)
• Scott Morrison - Guitar (2006 - 2009)

External links

• Official Myspace page