User:Julian Grebe/Tantrum (SL band)

Tantrum is a heavy metal band based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, originally formed in 2002.

Biography
School mates Javeen, Hasula, and Dasith Formed Tantrum in 2002, the three teenagers got an idea to form a band and realize the potency of the one pure form of music they all loved - Heavy Metal. At the time they barely knew the rudiments of instrumentation, and actually getting a band off the ground seemed unrealistic. Eventually, Hasula got a box guitar and learned how to play it, later moving on to an electric guitar. In the meantime, Dasith got himself a drum set and soon the three of them started to jam with Javeen on vocals. As time passed, another schoolmate, Soorya, sharing a similar passion for Metal, got in on the act, and the four of them started to cover songs by their favourite bands with Soorya on lead guitar and Hasula on rhythm guitar. Since they were lacking a bassist, they got another friend to help them on the bass guitar.

At the beginning it was purely for fun, but as time went on there was a significant improvement and at the beginning of 2004 the guys decided to take this more seriously and the name "Tantrum" was born. The guys started off practicing in cheap studios, since access to cash and good equipment was almost no existent. Regardless, the band managed to piece together an original track, and decided to send in their demos to enter TNL Onstage, although they were still short of a consistent bassist. Javeen took up bass guitar duties, but found it hard to play and sing at the same time. The band then got a new vocalist, who was also a schoolmate, who later left the band due to personal reasons. In the end, the band did not make it in to TNL Onstage 2004 due to the poor quality recording submitted as a demo.

This disappointing incident motivated the members to improve. Soon after the disappointment, drummer Dasith left the band, and Tantrum went in search of a new drummer. With time not only did they find a great drummer, Sujiv, but also came across a very talented lead guitarist, yet another schoolmate, James. Drummer Sujiv and guitarist James were both admitted to the Tantrum lineup, and in the first few months of the year 2005 Tantrum was to be found all out and rocking, with Javeen on lead vocals & bass, Hasula on rhythm guitar, James on lead guitar, Soorya on rhythm & lead guitar, and Sujiv on drums. For once, they did not have to depend on many outside practice studio facilities.

Tantrum recorded and released their first single titled ‘The Destroyer’ which became a overnight hit and reached no 1 on, TNL’s SL Hot 10. This earned Tantrum some recognition in the music scene and then they joined Rock Company, which is one of the main organizations promoting the Rock/Metal bands in Sri Lanka, after their chart success. Soon afterwards, Tantrum released their second single titled “Alone,” whose success proved the band had great talent and also It impressed many of the listeners, and so Tantrum had the fortune of starting off with two smash singles. Shortly after the release of the track “Alone,” drummer Sujiv left the band. He was replaced by former Hi-Octane drummer Heshan Jayawardena in August 2005. Soon after Tantrum’s first Rock Saturday event ,which was also in August 2005, Hasula stepped down from the band as he had to go abroad for higher education. The band that had an unique presence of three guitarists was now down to two, and is currently a four member line up since the band did not look for a replacement. Tantrum then entered TNL Onstage 2005, and the band that could not even enter the competition in 2004, ended up winning it one year later, walking away with the trophy for the Best Band. Here was the proof of how hard the band had worked to achieve the goal set when it started out as a weekend hobby for three schoolboys. Tantrum entered the path to success at Onstage, as they have built up a huge fan base for their music. Tantrum has now become one of the most-sought-after rock and heavy metal bands in the local music scene.

The band then released an EP titled “The Destruction Begins” in 2006. Soon after, the band went through a major line-up change. Currently the band line-up consists of Javeen Soysa, on lead vocals and bass, Akila Pieris on guitar, Malinda Senanayake on guitar and Tharaka Seneviratne on drums.

EPs

 * 2006:The Destruction Begins

Current members

 * Javeen Soysa - Vocals/Bass ( Stigmata)
 * Akila Peiris - Guitar
 * Malinda Senanayake - Guitar
 * Tharaka Senevirathne - Drums ( Stigmata)

Former members
Guitars:
 * Arjun Dhas
 * Hasula Dias
 * James Mather
 * Soorya Hasthimuni

Drums:
 * Heshan Jayawardena
 * Oshada Wijemana
 * Sujiv Fonseka