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Wildfire working on a new CD

Where do we begin to tell the story of Derek the popular leader of Wildfire the Golden Clef Band of the Year 2002 winner. Some musicians call him Byrd and Byrd is proud of the fact that he and Mozart were born on the same day and same month! A creative guitarist Derek was happy to answer our questions even though we interrupted his viewing of Sri Lanka's cricket match with New Zealand.

Name: Derek Byrd Wikramanayake
Birthday: January 27. I must say that it is the same day as of Mozart, 200 years apart!
Fav colours: Browns, beiges... all the earthy colours. I'm a child of the earth!

Trendy outfits: I like designer clothes but I don't go ga ga over them. I wear clothes that I feel comfortable in. If you are talking about trendy cars then the sports cars are up my street, but then again I don't want to own one.

Fav music: I don't like commercial music - the Sha-la-la type. I cannot categorise strictly. But I like music and songs a la Steely Dan. I enjoy playing songs with a lot of chord work and harmony and good melody lines.

Fav song: I have no particular song as such. Gosh over the years I've sung and played so many songs as a musician, that I cannot pin point and say "this is my favourite."

Fav rap music: Once again I cannot single one out. I like rap. It's a way of expressing oneself. I met an American guy here, Turbo B he raps beautifully. In fact in our new venture of writing songs and recording them, I invited him to record one song with us. Wildfire is coming up with surprises for you!

What other profession would you like to be in: As a child I wanted to be a soldier. Marching with my chest forward! But when I grew up it wasn't that attractive to me. I'm against violence. I'm a peace loving man. So I prefer to be a musician - it gives me happiness, playing my guitars.

Are you superstitious: Yes to some extent yes. I believe in 'karma' that everything is mapped out for you. I firmly believe that my life is programmed and that I have to go through the good and the bad and experience it all.

What would you consider your greatest achievement: So far it is Wildfire. I was never able to perform before like I do with Wildfire. I enjoy playing guitar solos, and so do the other guys in the band. How many covers can we play? How many Beatles songs can we play or for that matter how many CCR's songs? The younger crowd enjoy rock.

So I've moved into writing Sri-Rock using Sri Lankan music and including raga, the whole on a more sophisticated expression. I use my electric mandolin as well. I think by September we will finish our compositions. We have eight songs in the bag. Who do you admire in life: Sai Baba. Devotees of Sai Baba are different - they are simple, calm and in control of their lives.

What is your meaning of life: I think to live your life and not to worry others, and to do the best in life.

Now that your band is well known are you confident of achieving further success: Yes. Very much so. There will never be another combination. Our chemistry is amazing. We improvise and we find it interesting. We've been together for three years and we will go on as far as I can go on. I don't look at next month or next year. Our ambition is not to sound the same like the others.

Have you a fan club now and how can fans have access to it: We don't have a fan club. But we have a lot of fans. Playing in night clubs like other bands there is nothing different. Perhaps if we are playing abroad - then we must have a vision. That is why our ambition is to produce a Wildfire Sri Rock band CD.

If you could change anything about yourself what would it be: Maybe, be a pianist. I wish I studied music - the piano when I was a kid. I had it in me but I started playing guitar when I was sixteen and stayed with it.

Which product would you like most to endorse: Watches or maybe guitars - PRS or Fender.

Your future plans for Wildfire and how long more will you continue with the band: How long? Well till death do us part. We are not hankering after playing for dances out of Sri Lanka. We must do our own CD if we want to be recognised abroad. You cannot be playing covers all the time note for note, where is the creativity?

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