Purely Provocative: The F16s Get a Little Absurd and Outlandish

In describing themselves as a pop band disguised in a rock n’ roll outfit, The F16s have summed themselves up perfectly. Combining catchy pop vocals with groovy bass lines, upbeat drumming, and dynamic keyboards, the Chennai, India band just released their latest EP Is It Time To Eat The Rich Yet? on October 22nd.

The five-track EP represents an evolution for the group, initiated by their reaction to how their home country of India compromised the lives of millions of people in their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The songs also reflect on how this personally affected the lives of the band members themselves and their reactions to it. Equipped with a lot of wit, these songs explore alienation, and represent a sort of celebration of the human condition, as it navigates enormous duress. It’s like celebrating our downfall, and it couldn’t sound any more joyful or enthusiastic.

With The F16s making their presence felt, thanks to the release of the new EP, and their September single “Easy Bake Easy Wake,” we caught up with the band members for a quick session of Purely Provocative where we asked some more, let’s say, unusual questions.

Any arrests?

The Band: “All four of us in airport jail at Hong Kong airport. They were quite upset with us.”

Any near-death experiences?

Abhinav Krishnaswamy: “Hit on the head by a cricket ball when I was maybe 10?”

Shashank Manohar: “Stung by a lionfish.”

Josh Fernandez: “House on fire, roof collapsing, knife fight in a bar.”

If you could choose, how would you die?

Fernandez: “At the bottom of my own infinity pool.”

Manohar: “Abducted by aliens.”

Krishnaswamy: “Anything quick, please throw me in the trash afterwards.”

Harshan Radhakrishnan: “Rich.”

Weirdest place you’ve ever taken a shit?

Manohar: “Middle of the sea.”

Fernandez: “In the hands of my worst enemy.”

What scares the absolute shit out of you?

Manohar: “Pomeranians.”

Fernandez: “Hugs.”

Krishnaswamy: “Any real intimacy.”

Radhakrishnan: “Backing tracks.”

Have you ever been too wasted to play live? What happened?

Manohar: “Someone spiked my drink with horse tranquillizer. The rest of the night is anyone’s guess.”

Fernandez: “We’re professionals, I don’t know what the question means.”

Krishnaswamy: “I have not.”

Name some of your biggest pet peeves. You know… the ones that make you want to wreck shit!

Fernandez: “Dirt under fingernails.”

Manohar: “Babies.”

Krishnaswamy: “Someone asking me what key we’re in.”

Name someone you’d like to punch in his or her stupid face, and why.

Manohar: “Joe Satriani.”

Krishnaswamy: “Joe Satriani.”

Fernandez: “Joe Satriani.”

Radhakrishnan: “Joe Satriani.”

What is your stance on the legalization of marijuana?

The Band: “This is an easy one. Legalize it so we can all get better shit, simple.”

Artwork for the album ‘Easy Bake Easy Wake’ by The F16s

Tell us about the worst lie you ever told someone.

Krishnaswamy: “Yeah sure we’d love to do that interview.”

Fernandez: “I love you.”

Manohar: “Yes, I believe in horoscopes.”

When was the last time you cried and why?

Krishnaswamy: “I can only cry when I come.”

Manohar: “Every episode of MasterChef Tamil.”

Who is the biggest asshole you ever met and why?

Fernandez: “It’s hard to face myself in the mirror.”

Manohar: “It’s hard to face Josh every morning.”

Krishnaswamy: “Not met one yet, so it’s probably me.”

Describe your wildest drug experience.

Krishnaswamy: “What are drugs?”

Fernandez: “I rubbed some fermented turmeric which had some interesting results.”