I didn’t need any more convincing, but Paranoid Earthling’s performance at Overdrive proved that they are hands down the best alternative rock/hard rock band in Sri Lanka. Their two hour set consisted of a nice mix of originals and covers of Pink Floyd (Another Brick in the Wall), Jimi Hendrix (Voodoo Chile), Rage against the Machine (Sleep Now in the Fire), Nirvana (Aneurysm), Smashing Pumpkins (Bullet with Butterfly Wings) and, of all things, Chemical Brothers.
From the first time I heard them four years back, I’ve always thought that they have the most original sound amongst the alternative rock guys in SL. From being out and out Nirvana-influenced band, they have since evolved into a hard rock/stoner rock outfit that has shades of the legendary Kyuss. No offense to the other alternative rock bands out there, but I’d take a leaf out of Earthlings’ book, guys. Just sayin’.
Ritual opened the show with a kickass set consisting of an Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath cover. They are pretty tight and have fantastic on stage chemistry - wonderful considering that they only began playing together a couple of months or so ago.
Now if only Paranoid Earthling were to release their album. *hint hint*
11 Comments
August 9, 2007 at 2:06 pm
true they’re good at what they do, and they do have a distinctive sound, but i wouldnt go as far as to tell other bands to take a leaf out of the earthling’s book, coz at the end of the day u play what u like…and, from personal taste, i don’t like heavy music much and metal at all! so, while i’d respect the earthlings and stigmata for what they do and for the musicians that they are, i’m no fan of the music. If u like it, good on u…but u can’t expect every band to be “stoner rock”.
August 9, 2007 at 2:09 pm
I can still remember my first PE gig. Mirshad got me with his version of Bullet with butterfly wings. sigh
August 9, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Well… they are not exactly an alternative rock band.
But they truly are awesome.
Yes let’s hope an album comes out soon!!!
August 9, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Dark Horse, what would you clasify their music then? Metal? Hardly. Hard alternative rock is not accurate either, but it’s closer to what they do.
Nimra, I am with you. The day I heard their rendition of ‘Bullet with Butterfly wings’, I was sold.
Confab, I seemed to have implied that every band should become stoner rock. Apologies. What I meant was that in terms of evolving their sound, and growing as musicians, Paranoid Earthling has done it better than every other alternative band in Sri Lanka. Evolving doesn’t necessarily mean heavier or louder. It means being more experimental and adventorous with their song arrangements.
August 10, 2007 at 9:34 am
again i stress, no doubt they are an amazing bunch of musicians and are brilliant with making the song their own…i’ve constantly maintained that any band should have their own distinctive sound, and i believe i agree with u on that point. no doubt they’ve achieved their niche, but i would hasten to add that their niche is most certainly hard rock. They are good at what they do, but they don’t appeal to the alternative audience in Sri Lanka. You would find their audience in the likes of Stigmata fans.
One central thing that must be understood, a band can NEVER please everyone. Maybe Paranoid Earthling floats your boat, but it would be naive to expect everyone to enjoy your cup of tea. I enjoy them coz, being a wannabe-musician myself, i love watching the enthusiasm with which they play. But i’m no fan of their sound.:)
August 10, 2007 at 11:17 am
Gotcha
August 10, 2007 at 7:07 pm
how come you didn’t mention your teenage groupie moment hanging on to asela’s sweaty tshirt?
August 10, 2007 at 8:47 pm
I was hoping that you’d forget about that.
Let me remind you, though, that it was Shanjei who caught the tshirt. He gave it to me because it was too small for him.
October 6, 2007 at 12:47 am
adooo Theena get mirshad to record Highway or Black and White for the RC compilation man! hahahahaha been trying to get those buggers to do it for a long time now….
October 6, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Hehe..I was actually hoping that they’d record 69 instead. Yeah, we should pester the earthlings until they say ‘fuck it’ and get it recorded.
October 6, 2007 at 6:41 pm
69??? again?? whatever for?? yako its already on the 2nd Comp. hahahhaahahahaha BLACKKK AAANND WHIIIIIITE
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