10 to see: UAE rock groups

It’s easy to miss the UAE’s underground music scene, yet beneath the headline-grabbing house DJs and omnipresent R&B mash-ups there’s a healthy artistic undercurrent. A thriving network of old-school musicians, many of them from South Asian countries, thrash away at guitars on small stages and in cramped studios. Now the scene is getting a healthy kick thanks to Reformed Absolutizm, a rockfest bringing together ten of Dubai’s local bands to play on Friday September 28, alongside a display of visual art. But first, what’s with the event name? ‘We wanted something profound,’ offers producer Cesar Diego. ‘We got two words, we mixed ’em up, it sounds good, so that’s it.’

The gig marks the first venture by Ring of Fire Productions, a new community of volunteers driven to promote local artists and musicians. All funds they raise will go towards projects such as creating an institution for artists. Co-producer Jane Odulio adds: ‘Reformed Absolutizm is a by-product of the burning desire to see people coming together for one purpose. It’s a change of mindset, believing that this generation deserves more than bare-minimum standards when it comes to art, music and literature.’ Let’s hope this is the first of many much-needed showcases of local talent. In the meantime though, let’s get to know the ten bands playing at The Music Room in Dubai event next week. We kept it simple: we’ve found what these guys listen to, what they sound like (in just five words) and where they got their name.

BrownFusion
The name: ‘South-East Asians are naturally “brown” and our music is a fusion of rock, ska, funk and more.’
Influences: Bob Marley, Iron Maiden, Incubus, REM, Queensrÿche.
In five words: ‘Groovy, melodic, positive, catchy, depicting.’
The rock scene in the UAE is... ‘Mature enough to be unleashed.’
The best rock song ever: “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin.’
www.facebook.com/brownfusion.