An ode to Bangla grunge: junkhEad’s maiden track ‘Shamprotik’ enamors rock aficionados

Dhaka, May 1 — Emerging Bangla grunge band junkhEad has stirred excitement among rock enthusiasts with its debut track ‘Shamprotik’, a song that has been garnering widespread appreciation for reviving the essence of Bangla grunge genre.

Released on April 20 across platforms including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram, and Facebook, the song has become a talk of the town among the listeners, and Ahsan Titu, founder of junkhEad and formerly of renowned bands Black and Indalo, talked to UNB regarding the band’s journey.

According to Titu, junkhEad introduces a gritty, emotionally charged sound, heavily inspired by the Seattle grunge movement. Titu takes on a multi-faceted role in the band, managing bass, guitar, vocals, and sound design, and throughout his musical journey, he played Bass with Horoscope, X-Trude, and Aashor, as well.

“We – Bipu Ifti (guitars) and myself – had been jamming together for over a decade, composing several tracks influenced by the Seattle grunge scene,” Titu told UNB. “Over time, we also ventured into post-rock and alternative rock elements.”

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the duo began crafting songs together in earnest. They were later joined by longtime friend Newton, who contributed additional guitar work. The trio bonded over their shared passion for grunge, shaping the distinct identity of junkhEad.

On the meaning behind ‘Shamprotik’, Titu echoed what was already written in the song description, “This song talks about death.”