Paranoid Earthling
Paranoid Earthling | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Genres | Grunge, experimental, psychedelic, stoner rock, heavy metal |
| Years active | 2001–Present |
| Members | Mirshad Buckman Asela Bandara Harshan Gallage Dhanushka Samarasinghe |
| Past members | Shanka Samarasinghe |
| Website | paranoidearthling |
Paranoid Earthling is a Sri Lankan Rock band from Kandy. Its music can be described as a blend of Experimental Rock, Grunge, Psychedelic and Stoner Rock. It was founded in 2001 by Mirshad Buckman – the lyricist, vocalist and guitarist, Shanka Samarasinghe – Drummer, Asela Bandara – Bassist and Dhanushka Samarasinghe – Guitarist. The bands EP Rock 'N Roll is My Anarchy[1] has brought them fame and many performances since its release in 2005. In 2014 the band underwent a line-up change when Harshan Gallage joined in as their drummer.
About the band
A brain child of Mirshad Buckman and Shanka Samarasinghe: inspired to form a band after meeting in School & sharing similar interests in music, the band was put together along with Asela Bandara and Dhanushka Samarasinghe who have been the original line up, to date. Asela Bandara christened the band with its name Paranoid Earthling [2]
Appearing for a guest performance at a local college concert in late 2001, the band covered Nirvana – Sliver which caught the attention of the youngsters and made a major breakthrough in the rock culture of Sri Lanaka. Then on they have appeared at numerous concerts throughout the years with few international tours under their belt.[3]
Central to Paranoid Earthling's music is the political economic and socio-cultural issues surrounding the day-to-day life of an average Sri Lankan youth. The composition derives from personal experiences as well as from contemporary political and social issues at large. Many youth have found refuge in Paranoid Earthling's rebellious song-writing as it gives them a voice. By questioning concepts such as democracy, violence, conflict, religion and social hierarchies, their music calls for social change and transformation.[4]
Influences
Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Fu Manchu, Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, At The Drive-In, The Mars Volta, Tool, A perfect circle, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix,Family and The Doors.
The Logo
The band logo of Paranoid Earthling was created by Mirshad Buckman and it depicts of an earthling emerging from two merged mohawk heads.
Releases
- Rock 'N Roll is My Anarchy – EP 2005[5]
- Play Time Music Bootleg – EP 2008
- "Bringing Down The Sun" – Music Video released in commemoration of the World Peace Day in 2008 produced by Young Asia Television (YATV)[6][7]
- Ministry of Junk – EP 2010
- "Reign" single released on 28 May 2011
- "Deaf Blind Dumb" single released on 30 April 2013
Major Appearances
- 17–25 September 2009
- Hard Rock Cafe – New Delhi, India
- Kyra Theater – Bangalore, India
- Turquoise Cottage – New Delhi, India
- Flame le Club, Le Royal Meridian Hotel – Chennai, India[9]
- 12 December 2009 the band performed at the South Asian Band Festival held in Purana Qila, New Delhi to a crowd of 10,000,[10][11] followed by a second performance in Chennai, India.
- 19 December 2009 the band opened for As I Lay Dying and Nervecell from Dubai at the Vihara Maha Devi, Open Air Theater in Colombo, Sri Lanaka.[12]
Equipment
The sound of Paranoid Earthling has been unique and its signature melodies have been best amplified through Marshall Amplification[13] apart from that each band member has a pick of his or her own gear.
Further reading
- ^ [1] EP review by Daniel Cairns on the U.S. Rock Webzine 'www.chroniclesofchaos.com'
- ^ [2]
- ^ South Asian Bands Festival 2009
- ^ “We are sick of asking for peace nicely, it is time to rise up and make a stand” –Mirshad Buckman (Frontman – Paranoid Earthling)
- ^ Paranoid Earthling – Rock 'n' Roll Is My Anarchy by: Daniel Cairns (4 out of 5)
- ^ Bringing Down The Sun Official Video released in 2008 for World Peace Day
- ^ Bringing Down The Sun Official Music Video re-edited 2009
- ^ [3] Live performance at Aphrodisiac Lounge/Bar, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka.
- ^ Gods Gone Postal live performance at Flame le Club, Le Royal Meridian Hotel – Chennai, India September 2009
- ^ In Black & White performed live at South Asian Bands Festival 2009
- ^ Footage of the South Asian Bands Festival by NDTV, 12 December 2009.
- ^ Live Coverage from As I Lay Dying tour of Sri Lanka 2009, 19 December 2009.
- ^ [4]
Press releases
- EP review by Daniel Cairns on the U.S. Rock Webzine ‘www.chroniclesofchaos.com’
- Interview with Sunday Observer a Sri Lanakan Sunday news paper
- Review on As I Lay Dying tour of Sri Lanka 2009
- Interview with The Nation – Soul Magazine
- Time Out Bengaluru magazine India
- Unearthing The Metal Underground: The Colombo, Sri Lanka Metal Scene review by Wessamuni Fonseka on Metal Underground
- A web review from eveningflavors.com India
- Drummer Tyronne Silva And Sri Lanka’s Heavy Metal Scene
- Deathfest review by Kshanika Argent
- Paranoid Earthling interview with Daily Mirror
- Interview with newsnow.lk about a decade of music making
- Plugged 'N Wired | Explore The Experimental Side of Paranoid Earthling
- Paranoid Earthling – Plugged and Wired come back