Members of the rock band Vin Sinners; (extreme right) Vinesh ‘Vin’ Nair COURTESY: www.facebook.com/vinsinners; www.vins

That all members of this band were glued to viewing Rock Of Ages in flight during their journey from Dubai to Mumbai in mid-February, only goes to prove that Vin Sinners has got their musical priorities right.

Much credit goes to songwriter-cum-vocalist Vinesh “Vin” Nair, who showed what his band and he could do to the rock scene as they blasted themselves into Mumbai rock folklore — if one can dub it such — during their two gigs at the little known “The Bandra Base,” in Bandra.
“What appealed to me the most about the venue was that it was a small rustic place,” says Vin, “which is the closest I could get to meeting my friends at home.”
With extreme clarity in his mind about bringing the music of his band as close to the audience as possible, Vin even re-arranged the band’s music from their debut album, An Element Of Surprise, for an acoustic set. “Reengineered music” is Vin’s description, and so it was as Vin Sinners performed to a small, enthusiastic gathering during the first of their two nights of live performances in Mumbai.
The first night perfectly showcased the talent of the sextet of musicians consisting of Vin Nair [on vocals], Aldo Rock [lead guitar], Jing Bongato [rhythm guitar], Johan “Joe Demon” D’Souza [bass], Naveen “The Skinner” P [drums], and Cmith “Cmythonika” Sarkar [keyboards].
Originals — such as Go For It, Return To Solace, and Falling Away, to name a few — were interspersed by covers of songs from Nirvana, Guns ‘N Roses, Radiohead, and Doors, but it was certainly the original compositions that stood out, showcasing the band’s talent.
The outstanding selection from them was The Wise Man, dedicated to Vin’s late father, which contained poignant lyrics, and was supported by fabulous guitaring from Aldo Rock.
But it took a while for Vin to rejuvenate his future in music after he took a 14-year vacation from it — a la the Eagles — to concentrate on his family and corporate future before creating Vin Sinners.
The name arriving from an inspiration that occurred when in 1994, Vin wrote an article for his college magazine Cocktail Times under the byline of “Vicky Sinners”.
At the time of reviving his musical career in 2008, Vin was certain about what he would call the band, and the rest as they say, is history.
Vin Sinners is credited for being the opening act for the re-formed Indus Creed in Dubai.
“I have tremendous respect for Indian talent,” says Vin, adding, “As rock bands can bridge the gap between sounds from the West with the East.”
He believes that people often have a wrong impression on reasons for Indian-based bands from abroad touring their home country, clarifying, very precisely, that “we are not here to compete, but collaborate”.
Besides supporting his own career, Vin is providing similar support to his daughter’s music ambitions too — “like father, like daughter”, anyone? — as she is a competent pianist and has already composed a song called Better Things To Do.
Vin had a similar experience with his very own father too, who was working in the Foreign Service; while assigned to Italy during 1980-81, his father bought Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon, which changed Vin’s outlook to life, plunging him into the depths of his eventual passion: music. “That impression still remains with me,” reminisces Vin.
Vin now plans to extend his rearranged set to an Acoustic Jam scheduled in Dubai once this tour, which also covers Chennai, is over.
Further, Vin Sinners is also attempting to put finishing touches to a follow up album to their 2011 debut An Element Of Surprise (digitally released in India in July 2012). “It’s going to be a double album consisting of electric songs, acoustic ones, and some performed live too,” he says. With Vin being someone who is committed to his music — even though he leads a dual life in the cruel corporate world — it will be no surprise if music listeners re-name the band as Win Sinners!