Sikkim band bags first runner-up title at Rock-o-Phonix

ISABELLA GURUNG
GANGTOK: Sikkim band Guns From Countryside (GFC) finished first runner-up in Rock-o-Phonix at Alcheringa 2020, the IIT-Guwahati event, held from January 30 to February 2.
GFC is a stoner-rock band established in 2016 by Sandeep Yogi (vocals/lead guitar), Bhaskar Gurung (bass) and Prabal Gurung (drummer) in Rinchenpong, West Sikkim. The band has performed in various parts of Sikkim including the Red Fest 2018 (runner-up) and the recently-held Wild West Music Festival at Soreng.
“Alcheringa was a new experience and we are really happy to perform in the largest rock festival in India, while bagging the first runner-up title. The event was organized by the students, and it was fun performing there,” expressed the band.
The concert had 200+ entries from all over India out of which 25 were shortlisted for the prelims. In the finale, six bands performed, including GFC.
The competition was judged by Olik Godshedder from the band Alien Gods. 
GFC mostly performs their originals and has come up with two singles ‘Rock-a-Rolla’ and ‘Girl from Nepal’. They are planning to release their new album this year and will be performing at the rock concert organized by IIT-Gwalior this month.
Rock-o-Phonix, popularly known as 'The Holy Grail of Rock' is the largest rock band competition in India. With a history of constantly evolving the rock and metal community in the country single-handedly, Rock-o-Phonix has outgrown itself. It has become the rites of passage for every great band that has ever been in the country. 
Alcheringa is the annual culture festival of IIT- Guwahati. Started in 1996 by a group of students, Alcheringa has now become one of the biggest college-level culture events in Asia. Alcheringa attracts people from all over the world with its spectacular events and competitions.