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Underground Authority (sometimes abbreviated as UA) is an Alternative rock/Rap rock band from Kolkata, India formed in 2010. The group is considered as one of the most popular acts in the modern Indian music scene.

The current lineup comprises lead vocalist Santhanam Srinivasan Iyer, lead guitarist Adil Rashid, rhythm guitarist Kuntal De, bassist Soumyadeep Bhattacharya, and drummer Sourish Kumar.

Their music is flavoured by a blend of Protest poetry, Reggae, Alternative rock, Rap rock and Hard rock. They are noted for their compositions which speak against the corrupt politicians and deliver the message to portray with a political inclination.

History

Formation

Undergound Authority was formed in early 2010, when two of the previously existing acts from Kolkata, !Banned and Skydive collaborated together to put forth a live act collectively and hence its existence as a band.

Early Days: 2010

Underground Authority had it's early share of success performing frequently in the premier pubs of Kolkata and also being a part major music events such as the 'Closed Mic' at Someplace Else and 'Tuborg Unseen Underground Pub Rock' festival.

They had also been the runners up at a national Rock band competition organised by Yamaha termed as Yamaha Asian Beat 2010 held at Hard Rock Cafe, Mumbai.

India's Got Talent 2 and Rise to Fame

Underground Authority tried their luck at the auditions of India's Got Talent (season 2), a large-scale televised entertainment variety show, intending to showcase India's best unknown acts and talents, and made their maiden appearance on National television through ColorsTv.

And as the show progressed, they consistently proved their musical skills / performing arts at the above nation wide talent hunt competition covering A. R. Rahman's hits in their own style, which in turn got them to be tagged as one of the nine finalists on the same platform and they earnt a huge fan following. They also performed a song from the soundtrack of Dabangg to surprise the guest appearing judge Salman Khan in an episode.

Above all this, not only did they recieve an overwhelming response from the Indian audience, they've also managed to win hearts of Indian celebrities such as Salman Khan, Sonali Bendre, Nikhil Chinapa, Ayushmann Khurrana and Kiron Kher. Salman Khan requested them to remix the whole Dabangg album in their own unique style.

Post India's Got Talent 2 : 2010 - Present

The band was previously unsigned till October, 2010 but is now under Sony BMG Artist management, who has taken care of all their further responsibilities. They are currently working on their major label debut album, and the double disc is set to release in early 2011.

In recent times, the band is currently touring / performing at events all across India, be it college festivals, concerts or even for the purposes of raising funds for charity and has also been awarded a prestigious trophy in appreciation for their talent by the deputy CM of Jharkhand at a performance in Kolkata, 2010. On 25^th December, 2010, they performed at 'Tata Docomo Rock er Thek", this performence marked the highest number of audiences in an Underground Authority gig, reported 30,000 above by the organisers.

Musical Style and Influences

Underground Authority's music is a blend of Protest poetry, Reggae, Alternative rock, Rap rock and Hard rock. Primarily the band was known for it's original compositions which always had a message to portray with a political inclination, 'Protest Poetry' as they themselves like to term their genre. Their popular originals include songs such as, "Microphone", "Realize", "You Can't Stop Us", "We Killed G.I.Joes" etc. But after India's Got Talent, they also became famous in twisting Bollywood Retro songs and presenting them in their own style of music which in turn has made many non rock lovers to be glued to their songs as well, They frequently cover A. R. Rahman's songs in their own way.

The band cites that Rage Against The Machine, KRS-One, Cypress Hill, Living Colour, Public Enemy and The Roots are their biggest musical influences.

Recognition and Criticism

Underground Authority signed with a major label within just a few months of their inception. They have gained a huge fan following among the youth, mostly teenagers and students. Underground Authority's Facebook page is one of the highest liked band pages in India, with more than 12,500 members currently.

Inspite of their huge success, the band has not been free of criticism. They were criticised by Sajid Khan and Kiron Kher for turning A. R. Rahman's hit "Humma Humma" into a Rap rock song in one of the episodes of India's Got Talent (season 2).

Band Members

Santhanam Srinivasan Iyer (alias/aka : EPR) : The Poet/Lead Vocals
Adil Rashid (alias/aka : Iago - The Invincible) : Guitars and Backing Vocals.
Kuntal De (alias/aka : Storm ) : Rhythm Guitars, Effects and Backing Vocals.
Soumyadeep Bhattacharya (alias/aka : Bubbla): Bass Guitars and Backing Vocals.
Sourish Kumar (alias/aka : the Sheikh) : Drums and Backing Vocals.