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| Sunday, 5 January 2003 |
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Good bands, old bands, new bands and young bands... Sri Lanka is not missing out on much these days. Talent has no race, religion or age. And in the case of `Paranoid Earthling' it is no barrier either. And therein lies a whole barrel of angst that makes the band different from other mainstream musical groups, eager and angry to show contemporary, society what modern music is all about. So what is Paranoid Earthling all about? According to 18-year-old Mirshad, the band leader, the `Paranoid' part of the group's usual name is taken from a song called `Radio heads' while `Earthling' is derived from one of David Bowie's albums. Long locks, curly locks, wavy locks and stiff locks... infact, `Paranoid Earthling' when viewed as a whole has a combination of looks that's all hair. Primarily a `Grunge and Metal' band, the Paranoid foursome are Mirshad on guitar and vocals, Shanka on drums, Asela on bass and Dhanushka on guitar. "All four of us are from Trinity College, and Shanaka is still studying", says Mirshad. He says that forming a band had been their sole objective while in school. "We've always wanted to play. Shanka and I were totally into this band thing when we met Dhanushka and Asela who were equally passionate about the idea", he elaborates. The band's first performance was at a talent show called "Shockwave" held at Trinity College in October 2001. "We played three songs", they recall, adding that `Stigmata' has been very supportive from the beginning. "They are five good musicians, a band that's all about originality. It's their attitude, their determination to enhance the rock scene". Actually 'Paranoid Earthlings' were after a very tiring night. "It was great, the crowd was good", they talk about the joint concert held at Potluck, the previous night, with Stigmata. "Actually our first show with a real crowd was `On stage 2002'. After which we played at the BMICH. That was just not my day", says Mirshad who broke a string in the guitar in front of about two thousand people, and another one subsequently in the 2nd guitar he used and the band had to make an ignominious exit. The group has also played with Wildfire at St. Anthony's College on October 2002, says Mirshad. They think music is as good as any other career. "The only difference is it's not like any other job where you have to sit in one place from 9 to 5 seven days a week", they say stating that for them, being musicians is the sublime profession. They thoroughly scorn those who believe in cliched careers. "Most parents want their children to become doctors, lawyers and things to that effect. So the idea of becoming a musician one day is ridiculed here in Sri Lanka", they scoff pointing out that Sri Lanka has bounteous talent that's wasted, cause here, the musicians, especially the `long haired' rock musicians are not a favoured lot. They point out that acceptance is the reason why the music industry in other countries does so well. The polished talent that's seen and heard there is all about acceptance. They say, claiming "Those musicians aren't looked down on but facilitated. They don't freak out at the sight of a long-haired person". According to them, music is a much - ignored subject in Sri Lanka. They believe that Sri Lankan bands deserve more exposure, "Rock is all about feelings. Bands should do more originals instead of the cover bands", say the rock-cored earthlings. Talking about their tastes in music, Mirshad says, "We have different tastes. I'm into metal, Shanka's more into techno and prodigy, but we play stuff like Nirvana, Bush, Foofighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Live and other stuff like that." They admit that they are not much into playing commercial music. Do they play originals? "We have completed two songs, `Pull Me Under' and `Fall Back'. We are still working on the rest", they say. The Earthlings say that they get along well, having mutual ideas and thoughts which come in handy when composing. "Sometimes it's the lyrics and then the feedback and bass lines are added. We love making feedback", Mirshad chuckles. The foursome plan to make it big in the years to come. Eager to make their dreams come true, they say that they almost live music. "We were harassed at the beginning. People thought we were evil and had a satanic intention". The group says they love the stage. "We enjoy playing for the crowd. Especially when the music is really loud. It's some feeling to see them moving, head banging and singing along." What plans for the future, Earthlings? "To continue playing", and they say they want to do their higher education in music. "And we love playing video games". And that, they say is their earthly hobby. by Umangi de Mel |
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