We Are The Weirdos, Aunty-ji

In this episode, Zee Ahmed interviews Sym Gharial, the bassist-turned-solo artist whose journey has taken him from the chaotic energy of The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster to the introspective depths of his solo project, Primitive Ignorant. Growing up as a Sikh in 1990s London, Sym found solace and purpose in punk, channeling its raw spirit to carve out a path that defies convention. In this conversation, Sym opens up about his music, his identity, and the power of sharing untold stories.

Follow WEIRDO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weirdo.zine/

Credits:

Hosted by Zehra Ahmed

Edited by Neil Parmar

Produced by Naz Toorabally

Artwork by Ami Patel ⁠⁠⁠@artbyamixx⁠⁠⁠

Music: Supermodel Superficial by Voodoo Queens

Priya Panda is the co-founder and frontwoman of the Toronto-based rock band Diemonds. Since the band took a break in 2020, Priya has steadily made a name for herself with her 80s pop-inspired solo project. In this episode, hosted by Nandita Suria, Priya talks about her early days in the Toronto rock scene, how Diemonds and her other projects came about and an India tour gone awry.

Follow WEIRDO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weirdo.zine/

Credits:

Hosted by Nandita Suria

Edited by Neil Parmar

Produced by Naz Toorabally

Artwork by Ami Patel ⁠⁠⁠@artbyamixx⁠⁠⁠

Music: Supermodel Superficial by Voodoo Queens

Hassan Amin, the singer of the hardcore punk band Zanjeer and a DIY die-hard from Pakistan's underground music scene, joins host Rajen Bhatt in this episode. They discuss the vibrant, diverse, and resilient spirit of Pakistan's underground music culture, which remains largely unknown outside the country.

In the episode, Hassan mentions that he wants to share a playlist of Pakistani metal and punk - you can listen to it here.

Follow WEIRDO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weirdo.zine/

Credits:

Hosted by Rajen Bhatt

Edited by Neil Parmar

Produced by Naz Toorabally

Artwork by Ami Patel ⁠⁠⁠@artbyamixx⁠⁠⁠

Music: Supermodel Superficial by Voodoo Queens

Riz Farooqi is the founder of Unite Asia and is the frontman of renowned hardcore band, King Ly Chee, from Hong Kong. Unite Asia, stands as a vibrant platform spotlighting Asian bands across Asia and the diaspora with daily updates. In this episode hosted by Neil Parmar, Riz delves into the genesis of Unite Asia, his perspectives as a Pakistani hardcore enthusiast who grew up in Hong Kong, and shares how this compares to his experiences following his recent move to London, UK.

Follow WEIRDO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weirdo.zine/

Credits:

Hosted by Neil Parmar

Edited by Neil Parmar

Produced by Naz Toorabally

Artwork by Ami Patel ⁠⁠⁠@artbyamixx⁠⁠⁠

Music: Supermodel Superficial by Voodoo Queens

Sam Chetan-Welsh is a guitarist and a founding member of British metalcore band Ithaca. In this episode, Neil Parmar talks to Sam about the formation of Ithaca and the band's journey to date. During the conversation, Sam reflects on being of mixed heritage - Indian and English - and discusses how his Indian heritage has informed his music. Sam also shares his insights on the evolving landscape of diversity and inclusion in the metal and alternative music scene.

Follow WEIRDO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weirdo.zine/

Credits:

Hosted by Neil Parmar

Edited by Neil Parmar

Produced by Naz Toorabally

Artwork by Ami Patel ⁠⁠⁠@artbyamixx⁠⁠⁠

Music: Supermodel Superficial by Voodoo Queens

Urvah Khan is an independent Canadian-Pakistani musician based in Toronto, Canada. Known for captivating online performances and live shows, her unique story and music have earned recognition from prestigious outlets like the BBC, CBC, Vice, and Sports Centre LA. Urvah is also the founder of ScrapFest, a festival that prioritises trans and underground artists. Zee Ahmed speaks to Urvah about being a South Asian kid growing up with the music scene in Toronto, reconciling Muslim tradition with Western culture, and what inspired her to start ScrapFest.

View the transcript on our website: ⁠⁠https://www.weirdozine.com/podcast⁠⁠

Follow WEIRDO on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/weirdo.zine⁠

Credits:

Hosted by Zee Ahmed

Edited by Neil Parmar

Produced by Naz Toorabally

Artwork by Ami Patel ⁠⁠@artbyamixx⁠⁠

Music: Supermodel Superficial by Voodoo Queens

Som Wardner is the frontman and guitarist in the alternative rock band My Vitriol, who gained widespread acclaim following the release of their debut album 'Finelines' in 2001. In this episode, Neil Parmar talks to Som as he reflects on the creative process behind writing and recording 'Finelines', shares insights into the early days of My Vitriol and how he gained a love for music back in his formative years growing up in Sri Lanka.

Follow WEIRDO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weirdo.zine/

Credits:

Hosted by Neil Parmar

Edited by Neil Parmar

Produced by Naz Toorabally

Artwork by Ami Patel ⁠⁠@artbyamixx⁠⁠

Music: Supermodel Superficial by Voodoo Queens

Anjali Bhatia is a solo artist and the former frontwoman of 90s riot grrrl band Voodoo Queens. Voodoo Queens were one of the few bands fronted by a South Asian woman at the time and they left their mark on the riot grrrl scene from their very first gig, catching the attention of radio tastemaker John Peel. Naz Toorabally speaks with Anjali about the history of Voodoo Queens, the music she's currently working on and her advice for emerging artists.

View the transcript on our website: ⁠⁠https://www.weirdozine.com/podcast⁠⁠

Follow WEIRDO on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/weirdo.zine

Credits:

Hosted by Naz Toorabally

Edited by Neil Parmar

Produced by Naz Toorabally

Artwork by Ami Patel ⁠⁠@artbyamixx⁠⁠

Music: Supermodel Superficial by Voodoo Queens

Sahil Makhija, better known as the Demonstealer, has been integral to the growth of the metal scene in India. Dubbed as "the man who brought metal to India" by Kerrang! Magazine, the Mumbai-based metalhead created Demonstealer Records (India's first metal label), founded Resurrection Festival which is India's first extreme metal festival and fronts the blackened death metal band Demonic Resurrection. If that wasn't enough, Sahil also founded India's first heavy metal cooking show called Headbanger's Kitchen. Rajen Bhatt speaks with Sahil about all of this and more.

View the transcript on our website: ⁠https://www.weirdozine.com/podcast⁠

Follow WEIRDO on Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/weirdo.zine

Credits:

Hosted by Rajen Bhatt

Edited by Neil Parmar

Produced by Naz Toorabally

Artwork by Ami Patel ⁠@artbyamixx⁠

Music: Supermodel Superficial by Voodoo Queens

Tjinder Singh is the frontman of the pioneering British band Cornershop. You'll likely know their iconic single ‘Brimful of Asha’ - the remix version knocked Celine Dion off the top of the charts in 1998 and the single is recognised around the world today. Puja Nandi speaks with Tjinder about Cornershop, racism growing up in the West Midlands and sticking out at gigs.

CW: this episode includes open discussion on racism, with language no longer used today mentioned.

View the transcript on our website: https://www.weirdozine.com/podcast

Follow WEIRDO on Instagram: https://instagram.com/weirdo.zine

Credits:

Hosted by Puja Nandi

Edited by Neil Parmar

Produced by Naz Toorabally

Artwork by Ami Patel @artbyamixx

Music: Supermodel Superficial by Voodoo Queens