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| Sunday, 23 March 2003 |
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It feels good by Umangi de Mel Boy was it a battle among bands or what ?! The public would keep voting, keeping their fingers crossed, judges would go places, checking out the musicians (on the sly), bands had butterflies in their stomachs. But putting an end to all those sleepless nights and nail-biting sessions, the Clefs named Kreb's Cycle as the best rock/alternative band out of many other local talent.
"Usually the case is that we don't get acceptance at home but everywhere else," he continues pointing out the fact that the feeling is great to be recognised here. "It's very reassuring," he states. What is `alternative' rock? "'Alternative' rock is everything that falls between pop and rock," Ranil says adding that `alternative' music made its way to the scene when rock and pop music were very popular. It has been the result when people want a change. "There are a few standard forms of music such as classical and country. Apart from these avenues of music there is music that doesn't fall into any category which is called `alternate' music," Ranil clarifies. Going on about the award, he says that it was awesome to have been nominated in the first place. "To be honest as a band, we didn't think we would be considered for nomination. It came to us as a total surprise and we were amazed when we won." Azlan makes his way to the lounge with a wide grin and joins the conversation, "Well, we are happy to be nominated in the same class as `Stigmata' and `Sound Journey' which are, in our opinion very talented bands," he says quite pleased with the fact that they won, competing against all Sri Lankan bands, in their category. "It was nice to hear so many people cheering," says Ranil. The guys say that it's the recognition that make them feel special. They genuinely appreciate the public who have taken the trouble to scrutinise what they do and give them what they deserve. Complaining that lots of musicians, brand rock bands as a set of people who `make noise', the guys state that it was real achievement to be recognised against all the speculations. "It's a huge fulfilment not only for us, but the rest of the 20-odd bands in the country," they believe that the perspective of people (older generation of musicians included) would have changed. "It's very encouraging that the Golden Clef music awards introduced rock/alternative category which will act as a source of reassurance to all the rock/alternative bands," the guys point out. Azlan says that their moment of glory was a total blank. A what? "Yeah, the whole walk up and walk down was a blank scene. It was as if time had come to a standstill," he chuckles while Ranil explains that the only thing he could recall is the rabble that was blocking his way to the stage. Has winning changed anything for them? "Getting recognition in front of the whole industry, actually changed a few attitudes," Ranil says. Did you celebrate? "Oh yeah, we went to `White Horse', once we dined there, we came to Clancy's and had another toast," they laugh adding "Generally we base our celebration on local beverages but that particular night it was Mexican and Carlesberg." The guys also say that the better halves were very supportive. Getting back to the awards, they say that the western music industry is a bit complacent with covers but that's the way it's been the whole time. "We feel that the competition gave more emphasis towards originality. There are lots of bands who have come up with new songs and two or three bands have come up with their own albums funding themselves who should have been recognised to boost their morale," they say. Kreb's Cycle point out that only a few bands are responsible for the sudden rise in the music scene. "It was a bit disheartening that none of these bands performed that night. Golden Clef should have brought out a bigger cross section," Ranil states but adds, "Don't get us wrong, we are not trying to disrespect anybody who performed. But we feel as seniors they are ones who should be setting the standards and it's a bit disappointing to see them shoot below the mark." Speaking about the acts performed on the awards night, the guys say they looked a bit unrehearsed and quickly add (so do we sometimes but then we undergo severe intoxication, so does the crowd who come to see us,) "Well, to tell the truth we were really disappointed that we couldn't thank God," Azlan says before he forgets. "We have kept the award at the place where we practise. It's on display on the days we practise," he says. So what about the show? "It's really good if it's held annually, it gives bands a goal," the guys say.
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| Produced by Lake House |
The
band that is all about biology and noise, `Kreb's Cycle' talk about the
awards night. Ranil, Senaka, Iqqi, Ezraad and Azlan are truly a happy
bunch, "It feels very good that Sri Lanka considers us the best
rock/alternative band," Ranil says on behalf of Azlan, his leader who
rings to say that he's on the way.
