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| Sunday, 6 March 2005 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Purple Rings : Aiming high by Mahes Perera
Rock oriented and fusion crazy, the foursome who comprise Purple Rings have come to stay in the Sri Lanka music scene. It was only last year that they decided to pool their versatility and had a successful launch at the Colombo Swimming Club. "We were being auditioned that night and quite naturally we gave our one hundred per cent to our music. The management who didn't know what to expect, were happy with our performance and signed us up for a few more gigs" says leader, guitarist/vocalist Lakmal Fernando with a smile that displays slight sarcasm! Dressed in attire that screams 'rock', Purple Rings is one of the new acts to hit our scene and have made it comfortably into the Colombo scene. In the short spell of time since their launch the band has achieved what some other new acts have been unable to, and that is to be contracted to play at five star hotels in Colombo. Lakmal and his groovy band of men are featured at the Hilton Colombo Residence weekly on Saturdays. The band also plays at Thorana Lounge, Colombo Hilton and at the Bentota Beach Hotel and Eden Resorts & Spa. "We realise the importance of weekly rehearsals and the four of us exchange our ideas at these rehearsals and plan out our repertoire. Fabian Bonnie handles all the lead vocals. Chrisantha Fernando is a versatile keyboardist and arranges the music for us. Then there is the bassist Camara Mendes who makes the group tick, he has a good style," Lakmal continues with enthusiasm. You say your band plays rock, which school do you belong to? "We are more classic rock fans - we enjoy the music of Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Chicago. We do play covers of Bon Jovi, and alternative rock. But we cannot rely on this repertoire if we are seeking commercial success. So we have our repertoire of pop hits, slow-rock songs and reggae which goes down well at lobbies in hotels. We are gearing ourselves to play for private functions and we hope that we can catch that market soon. Surviving as a band is tough today, so we have to explore all avenues available." With the latest sound and technology equipment they have acquired with the monies they have earned so far, Purple Rings are determined to make a success of their career, reach the top rung in the industry and be the talk of the town. |
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