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| Sunday, 22 December 2002 |
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Nihar enjoys partying every night!
Name: Nihar Hamid Trendy outfits: Yes very much. Whatever is in vogue. I like designer clothes and colourful outfits. Hair do's: I've always worn my hair long. But maybe next year, you might see me with short hair. Fav music: Soul and funk and almost always ballads. How did Friends come about: We were first the Esquire band playing in Switzerland and then we changed to Friends and continued, the same name for seventeen years. First there were Geoff, Derek, Crystal, Damien and Pramuk. Then there was a change - Susi, Chitral and Riza and Udaya came in and we had further changes. Marlon, Ushan and Sonali were with Friends and now Gabi is with us. We've been on the scene for 22 years in Switzerland playing at night clubs, discos, hotels, galas and on cruise ships plying the Scandinavian coast. I've no regrets. Was it tough to arrive at this stage of your career: Yes there were ups and downs to make the band happen. It all meant hard work. We have to travel long hours, fit up our own equipment and dismantle it after playing so the going was tough. Fav song of '80s/'90s: From the '80s its 'Winds of Change' by Scorpion while from the '90s 'Living On My Own' by Queen. Embarrassing day: There was this day when the gig started. I was at the drums playing and realised that no sound was coming through. I hadn't switched on the amplifiers - the rest of the band had gone half-way through the song and were wondering what had gone wrong with me the leader of the band. I had no alternative but continue playing with no sound coming through. It was awful! Qualities you like in a girl: I like girls who are not too outspoken. If I'm with friends she must know how to mix and get along with them. How much of a party guy are you: I'm on the extreme level. I like to party every night if it is possible?! Are you superstitious: No. I don't think about superstitions. Pet hate: People who gossip - especially men who gossip like women What makes you happy in life: Being what I am. I do not like arguments. I like to live in harmony and in a peaceful way. I don't like to hurt people. I like to compromise. When you are not on a gig what keeps you awake at night: Watching movies or having long chats with my children. I play daily and so I miss out on them. Where would you like to be most now: Hong Kong or Japan. I never got the time to visit these two countries. Do you believe in love at first sight: Yes - that's how I married my wife Octa. I met her in Afghanistan. How do you reject advances from girls: Seated at the drum stool it's eye contact with the girls. Some fall in love, but I have been diplomatic in chilling out the advances. What other profession would you like to be in: An airline pilot. But my mother discouraged me. When I was 23 I was keen on it I bought books on the subject and started studying it. In the end I gave the books to another person who is now a Captain in a foreign airline. What's your meaning of life: Helping others. Seeing that they have everything they require. I wish more people begin to think on these lines. What would you do if you ruled the world: I'd see that there will be total peace and harmony. I'd see that assistance is given to children and families who need food and money. Fav food and do you cook: Sri Lankan of course, then Chinese and Indonesian - it's always Asian food for me. Yes I can cook I make tasty pittu and string hoppers and my second daughter is a fan of my cooking. What would you have liked to have been in a past life: A plant that gives out colour and beauty and be admired. I am a plant lover. In Switzerland I grow anthuriums too. In fact my Sri Lankan friends rib me by saying 'Ah let's visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens!" Which product would you like to most endorse: Watches and perfume for Channel and Yvew St. Laurent. Fav cartoon character: Tom and Jerry. I enjoy watching them with my ten year old daughter Jelita. Which character would you like to play in a film: James Bond! All time.Fav 5: 1.Still - Commodores 2.When Doves Fly Scorpion 3.Everything I do Bryan Adams 4.Rio de Janeiro Randy Crawford 5.Sir Duke Stevie Wonder |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Pihar Hamid the leader of Friends for the past 22 years - has always
ensured that his band is well accomplished in playing the latest top chart
hits on the European and American scene. We don't have to ask him - music
lovers are aware of what to expect from Friends. Nihar took time off, of
an afternoon for this pow wow with us.
