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| Sunday, 19 October 2003 |
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The outfit jetted off to Male last week to perform at a concert on Sunday (October 12) which featured the successful all-girl Indian group Viva, and performances by an Indian and a Maldivian band. Back home X-IT are regulars at the sizzling Rhythm and Blues playing Wednesday and Friday nights while at Clancy's they gig out Tuesdays and Thursdays. "When I came back from Europe to join Geoffrey Fernando, I wanted to do something serious, something totally different with soul and r&b as a base. X-IT at the outset was a trio with Shiraaz Nooramith on drums, Subodha on bass and I played guitar" says Kevin de Almeida who we all know is such a fabulous singer. In no time guitarist Shaafi - ex 'Wild Fire' joined X-IT and when Averille de Valliere returned from Europe she took the X-IT route to play bass and sing. "I'm happy with the band, happy we are on to something good and also happy when we play at Rhythm and Blues that our audience is listening to us. I ask them can we take a break and they scream 'No' which makes us happier. I'm fortunate to h ave Shiraaz and Shafi and I asked Averille to play bass and sing. In fact I've told the others to sing their choice of songs but to keep them within the framework of soul. Because through sheer experience I know that pop songs of today will come and go but soul and r&b will remain forever. We don't take it easy. We practice 'like dogs!' and each week we have three or four new songs to our repertoire to surprise our fans" says Kevin flashing that characteristic de Almeida smile! X-IT with Kevin, Shiraaz, Shafi and Averille has come to stay. The music scene in Sri Lanka needed musicians who depended solely on their artistry in playing their instruments and not on extraneous devices. Singer/guitarist/bassist Kevin, drummer Shiraaz, guitarist Shafi are leading lights in our music scene and now bassist/singer Averille after her long stay in Europe has joined them which is good, so from all music lovers here's wishing X-IT much success! Catch them at Rhythm and Blues. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Is it possible for three guys and a gal to band together in a space of
six months and be a success? Absolutely, it if means that the foursome are
experienced and dedicated musicians whose, vibes jell and intermingle with
energy. And that's what X-IT is - a success.
