Paranoid Earthling

Last updated

Paranoid Earthling
OriginSri Lanka
Genres Grunge, rock music, stoner rock
Years active2001 (2001)–Present
MembersMirshad Buckman
Kaveesha Karunarathne
Riyal Riffai
Past membersShanka Samarasinghe
Dhanushka Samarasinghe
Kusal Tharindu
Shameen Kumarasinghe
Shayne Senevirathne
Freedom Fira
Asela Bandara
Harshan Gallage
Kasun Nawarathne
Website paranoidearthling.com

Paranoid Earthling is a Sri Lankan rebel rock band active since 2001. Its music can be described as a blend of experimental rock, grunge, psychedelic and stoner rock. Founded by Mirshad Buckman (lyricist, vocalist and guitarist), the band underwent several line-up changes and at present consists of Kaveesha Karunarathne (drummer), and Riyal Riffai (bass guitarist). The band's EP Rock 'N Roll is My Anarchy [1] was released in 2005. Their debut full-length album Illusion Empire was released on 24 November 2023.

Contents

Origins

A brainchild of Mirshad Buckman and Shanka Samarasinghe: inspired to form a band after meeting in school and sharing similar musical interests, the band was put together with Asela Bandara and Dhanushka Samarasinghe as the original line-up. Asela Bandara named the band Paranoid Earthling. [2]

Appearing for a guest performance at a local college concert in late 2001, the band covered Nirvana which caught the attention of the youngsters and made a major breakthrough in the rock culture of Sri Lanka. They have since appeared at numerous concerts with a few international tours.

Paranoid Earthling has been performing in various cities in Sri Lanka since 2001 becoming a hot pick to headline at numerous local gigs and invited to represent the country at several international gigs. Paranoid Earthling questions the status quo through their anarchic anthems that are composed around themes of world peace, freedom of speech, ending impunity, minority oppression, dictatorship, and expressing the angst of youth that grew up through the Sri Lankan Civil War that lasted 30 years.

In 2009 the band embarked on a tour in India performing in New Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai and in the same year returned to New Delhi to represent Sri Lanka at the SAARC Band Festival [3]

Moreover, Paranoid Earthling performed at the 2012 Sound Central Festival held in Kabul, Afghanistan, becoming the only rock band from Sri Lanka to perform there.

In 2016 the band was invited to perform at ‘Nations for Peace’ held in Gurgaon India, which brought seven bands from six South Asian countries to reiterate the importance of maintaining regional peace. Paranoid Earthling has released many EPs following the release of their debut EP titled ‘Rock N Roll is My Anarchy’ in 2005. Their video ‘Bringing Down the Sun’ released for International World Peace Day amidst the Civil War in 2008 was premiered on local TV and was nominated for the State Media Awards.

Band Logo for Paranoid Earthling Paranoid Earthling Logo.jpg
Band Logo for Paranoid Earthling

Mirshad Buckman created the band's logo which depicts an earthling emerging from two punk heads. It is registered as a trade mark (registration No. 168884) in Sri Lanka under sections 103 and 104 of the Intellectual Property Act No: 36 of 2003.[ citation needed ]

Releases

Major appearances

Equipment

The sound of Paranoid Earthling and its signature melodies have been best amplified through Marshall Amplification [12] except that each band member has a pick of his own gear.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music of Sri Lanka</span>

The music of Sri Lanka has its roots in five primary influences: ancient folk rituals, Hindu religious traditions, Buddhist religious traditions, the legacy of European colonisation, and the commercial and historical influence of nearby Indian culture—specifically, Kollywood cinema and Bollywood cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Junoon (band)</span> Pakistani Sufi-rock band (1990– )

Junoon is a Pakistani sufi rock band from Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, and Tappan, New York, formed in 1990.

The Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord was an accord signed in Colombo on 29 July 1987, between Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lankan President J. R. Jayewardene. The accord was expected to resolve the Sri Lankan Civil War by enabling the thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka and the Provincial Councils Act of 1987. Under the terms of the agreement, Colombo agreed to a devolution of power to the provinces, the Sri Lankan troops were to be withdrawn to their barracks in the north and the Tamil rebels were to surrender their arms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stigmata (Sri Lankan band)</span> Sri Lankan heavy metal band

Stigmata is a Sri Lankan heavy metal band based in Colombo, formed in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian rock</span> Rock music subgenre that takes influences from Indian music

Indian rock is a music genre in India that may incorporate elements of Indian music with rock music, and is often topically India-centric. While India is more often known for its classical music, filmi, Bollywood music, Indi-pop, and Bhangra, the Indian rock scene has also produced numerous bands and artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bathiya and Santhush</span> Sri Lankan hip hop duo

Bathiya & Santhush, also known as BNS, are a Sri Lankan pop duo consisting of Bathiya Jayakody and Santhush Weeraman, who met while at the "Mary Anne David School of Vocal Music and" in Colombo. They both were born in Colombo, Sri Lanka. They have been one of the most commercially successful music acts in Sri Lanka in the last two decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milton Mallawarachchi</span> Sri Lankan musician (1944–1998)

Sumanasiri Mallawarachchi Don, popularly known as Milton Mallawarachchi, was a Sri Lankan singer and musician. One of the most respected singers in Sri Lankan music history, Mallawarachchi was a trending act in Sri Lanka for more than a decade, performing nearly a total of 850 songs with over 35 albums. He is also known to be a music composer for most of his songs, a film play-back singer for the silver screen, a talent tabla and sitar player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ameer Sultan</span> Indian film director and actor

Ameer Sultan is an Indian film director, film producer, screenwriter and actor, working in the Tamil film industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swarathma</span> Indian folk-fusion band

Swarathma (Kannada:ಸ್ವರಾತ್ಮ) is a Bangalore (India)-based Indian Folk/fusion band. The current line-up features Vasu Dixit, K J Pavan, Varun Murali, Sanjeev Nayak, Jishnu Dasgupta and Joel Milan Baptist (drums). The band's sound draws from Indian Folk and Classical Music, blending it with Western sounds like Blues Rock and Reggae. Their lyrics are inspired by personal journeys as well as social and political themes.

Senesh Dissanaike Bandara Ph.D, MA, BA (Hons.) සෙනේෂ් දිසානායක බණ්ඩාර is a film director and a television drama director in Sri Lanka. His first film Aadaraneeya Wassaanaya in 2004 was screened for more than 100 days island wide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhayanak Maut</span> Indian metal band

Bhayanak Maut is an Indian metal band from Mumbai. The band's name was inspired by a B-Grade Hindi horror movie of the same name, which translates to "Horrific Death".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thisara Samarasinghe</span>

Admiral Thisara Sugeeshwara Gunasekara Samarasinghe RSP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc, DISS, MNI, SLN was the Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy from 15 July 2008 to 15 January 2011. He had a distinguished 36-year career in the Sri Lankan Navy. His career included a wide range of key appointments at sea and ashore, including training in the United Kingdom, India and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chitral Somapala</span> Sri Lankan singer and musician

Chandana Chitral Somapala, aka Chity Somapala, is a Sri Lankan hard rock and heavy metal vocalist and a music director. He is known for his work with European power metal bands Firewind, Power Quest, Avalon, Faro, Red Circuit, and Civilization One. Somapala gained popularity in his home country due to his Sinhala track "Nadee Ganga" which was released in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alston Koch</span> Sri Lankan actor and musician

Alston Koch is a Sri Lanka born Australian - Sri Lankan singer-songwriter, film producer, record producer and actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka, Chennai</span> Diplomatic mission of Sri Lanka in South India

The Deputy High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Southern India is the mission of Sri Lanka in South India and represents the interests of the Sri Lankan government in the region. It is located in Chennai. The other missions are Consulate General of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mumbai and High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, New Delhi. The Chennai Mission is responsible for the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala and the union territory of Puducherry. The current deputy high commissioner is Doraisamy Venkateshwaran. He succeeds Vadivel Krishnamoorthy, who held the office for the second time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dinesh Subasinghe</span> Sri Lankan composer, violinist and music producer (born 1979)

Dinesh Subasinghe is a Sri Lankan composer, violinist, and music producer. He composed Karuna Nadee, a Buddhist oratorio, and re-introduced a lost, ancient musical instrument known as the ravanahatha to Sri Lanka. He is also a film and television composer whose works integrate western and eastern classical music with electronic music, Buddhist music, folk music, traditional orchestral arrangements, and world music genres. From 2002 to 2009 he led the pop classical band, Dee R Cee Members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Lanka–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

Sri Lanka–Turkey relations are the foreign relations between Sri Lanka and Turkey. Turkey has an embassy in Colombo since 2013. Sri Lanka has an embassy in Ankara since 2012.

Jaya Sri, are a Sri Lankan reggae consisting of Rohitha Jayalath, Rohan Jayalath, who are twins along with five more members to form full band. Considered one of the most commercially successful music duos in Sri Lanka, Jaya Sri has received global success in many European countries particularly with their literal mixed reggae, hip hop style modern infusion in taking Western and Sinhala music.

<i>Bhavatharana</i> 2015 Sri Lankan film

Bhavatharana is a 2015 Sri Lankan Sinhala historical drama film directed by Devinda Kongahage as his film directorial debut. The film is co-produced by Mawathagama S. Rajaputra Weerasinghe with Shirani Keppetipola for Castoria Films and Rajaputhra Productions. It stars Malini Fonseka and newcomer Sajeew Rajaputra in lead roles whereas Sriyantha Mendis, Mahendra Perera, Udayanthi Kulatunga, Roshan Pilapitiya, Roshan Ravindra, and Chandika Nanayakkara made supportive roles.

Sri Metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that originated in Sri Lanka in the late 1990s. The genre is heavily influenced by the American Nu metal movement of the late 1990s and early 2000s, which incorporated elements of heavy metal, hip hop, and alternative rock.

References

  1. Daniel Cairns, "Paranoid Earthling - _Rock 'n' Roll Is My Anarchy", Chronicles of Chaos, 29 May 2009
  2. "Ceylon Today | Loud and in your face". Archived from the original on 29 August 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  3. South Asian Bands Festival 2009
  4. Paranoid Earthling – Rock 'n' Roll Is My Anarchy by Daniel Cairns (4 out of 5)
  5. "Bringing Down The Sun" official video released in 2008 for World Peace Day
  6. Bringing Down The Sun Official Music Video re-edited 2009
  7. Gods Gone Postal live performance at Flame le Club, Le Royal Meridian Hotel – Chennai, India September 2009
  8. In Black & White performed live at South Asian Bands Festival 2009
  9. Footage of the South Asian Bands Festival by NDTV [ permanent dead link ], 12 December 2009.
  10. Live Coverage from As I Lay Dying tour of Sri Lanka 2009 Archived 23 July 2012 at archive.today , 19 December 2009.
  11. Paranoid Earthling - Live in Gotagogama 2022
  12. "PAXT Ltd". Archived from the original on 28 July 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2013.