The new face of indie rock with backward looks to u2, the smiths, joy division and other formidable bands.

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Itâs not often you hear about a band like zerobridge. Lead singer/guitarist and songwriter Mubashir âDinâ Mohi-ud-Din and drummer Mohsin âMoâ Mohi-ud-Din are two brothers, whose parents are from the disputed territory of Kashmir, nestled between northern India and Pakistan. Greg âThe Quota,â seasoned NYC bass player, rounds out the trio who have been playing their own unique brand of melodic, guitar driven rock nâ roll for the last three years. With two independent releases behind them, zerobridge will release a new EP this summer that illustrates the bandâs penchant for classic song writing and a passion to become the only band that matters.

The name zerobridge comes from an actual bridge in Kashmir's capital, Srinagar, which earned the lesser known epithet of the "the city of seven bridges." The story goes that when they built an 8th bridge, no one knew what to call the original first bridge. The solution is a case of pragmatics taken to the extreme: they decided to name it zerobridge. Along with being a provocative name evoking many meanings, zerobridge is a sentimental place for anyone familiar with Kashmir. Just across the bridge, after passing through military checkpoints and barbed wire fences, is a cafe called the Zero Inn; a place where the bothers, family and friends go when reunited in Kashmir to hang out and have âcold coffeesâ (which are like frapuchinos, but far better according to the brothers).

To describe the sound of a band as distinctive as zerobridge can be tough. Din constantly answers this question simply: âWeâre just a rock nâ roll band.â This is true, but upon closer listening one can hear their South Asian heritage weaving its way through their Western influences to create a unique musicality and tonality. While bands like U2, The Beatles, The Clash, Joy Division/New Order, Bowie and The Replacements are major influences, Din also cites South Asian music like The Sabri Bros and Hindi film composers like RD Burman, A.R. Rahman, and Nadeem Sharavan as inspirations.

The band's first record contains many political songs like âSuffering Mosesâ (which reappears in new form on this summerâs EP), "Refugee Citizen," and âNothing Doing,â because at the time, and even more so now, the world climate was such that you could not ignore the issues. Specifically there are lyrics from the brother's experience traveling to Kashmir in December 2001; that trip set a lot of the tone of the first record. Seeing and learning about the hardships that their family and friends had endured over the last 18 years was an eye opener for the brothers, especially during their time spent there in the harsh winter months. "I couldn't help but write about what I saw," Din says, âbut even then, we still felt like outsiders. So when I wrote songs like âSuffering Mosesâ or âNothing Doingâ I tried to be true to what I experienced and cognizant that I was removed from it all at the same time. Reading authors like Edward Said, Agha Shahid Ali, Sudha Kohl, and Salman Rushdie have also inspired me and enhanced the overall worldview of my lyrics.â

When their first record was completed, the brothers were in NYC anxious to bring zerobridge to a live audience. Din explains, "It was crazy and kind of a nightmare at first, but exciting at the same time. There were so many parts and layers on the first record that we couldn't possibly reproduce everything live. Our first gig was absolutely horrible. We played five songs, White Stripes style, to a packed audience at the Sidewalk Cafe in the East Village. When it was over, Mo and I just looked at each other and broke down in hysterical laughter. It was all so absurd, but it was the first step to what we were trying to achieve. I decided that I had to write new songs for the live setting, and figure out ways we could transpose our recorded songs to the stage.â

After countless auditions in 2004, zerobridge had finally found their bass player in Greg, affectionately dubbed âThe Quotaâ by the brothers. The band became a strong and tight unit with the newer and older songs blossoming in the live setting. More shows and a bigger following developed, but most significantly the band gained endorsement, guidance, and production assistance from legendary David Bowie/John Lennon guitarist Earl Slick during the summer of 2005. But as great as these accomplishments were, zerobridge had to continue to work harder, refocusing their energies and honing in on live material and newer songs. In the winter of 2006/2007, they finally finished recording what is to be their new EP, entitled âHavre de Grace.â

The name and title track comes from a town in northern Maryland, close to where the brothers grew up. âIt means Harbor of Grace,â explains Din. âI always just loved the sound of it and what it could mean. The tune itself sounds fresh and defines who we are right now and where we have been as a band. I think itâs the best thing Iâve written to date and the bandâs best performance.â A video accompanies the track, directed by Musa Sayeed, who won the best documentary short at 2007âs Tribeca Film Festival for âA Sonâs Sacrifice.â

Other songs on the EP include âLate Bloomer,â a soaring track that celebrates and questions a passionate but fleeting relationship. The incendiary political satire of âThe Shakeâ sheds light on the hypocrisies of religious extremism. A reworking of âSuffering Moses,â originally off the bands first LP, is an unabashedly beautiful ode to Kashmir which is followed by the razor edged bravado of âThis is My Version,â a live favorite that sounds like a mashup of the Smiths and the ragged snarl of Iggy Pop.

Track for track the âHavre de Graceâ EP showcases zerobridge in itâs most raw and honest form, as if the three are in a room playing just for the listener. âIâm very proud of this record,â says Din, âand Iâm even more excited about people hearing it and then recreating the EP live. Itâs a tough thing to do, to be sustaining in this industry and in New York City no less. But what keeps us going are these songs and that we know that we are worth our salt. What weâre doing is real and needs to be heard, God willing.â Mo passionately adds, "No gimmicks. We put our hearts, souls and sweat into whatever we do. It's about love, war, and curiosity I suppose. Itâs just painfully true, good rock nâ roll.â