User:Sarah Hannan/Paranoid Earthling

Paranoid Earthling from Kandy, Sri Lanka is a Grunge band founded by Mirshad Buckman- the lyricist, vocalist and guitarist, Shanka Samarasinghe – Drummer, Asela Bandara – Bassist and Dhanushka Samarasinghe – Guitarist. The band was formed in 2000 at an age where rock music was creating a new wave in the country, where bands were lining up to make their own heavy music. The bands EP Rock ‘N Roll l is My Anarchy has brought them fame and many performances since its release in 2005.

About the band
Paranoid Earthling is a brain child of Mirshad Buckman and Shanka Samarasinghe, who were inspired to form a band after listening to Metallica - Kill 'Em All. On their pursuit of music making they were joined by Asela Bandara and Dhanushka Samarasinghe who have been the original line up, to date.

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.

Their passionate songwriting and instant accessibility has made them a very unique package. Their Grunge sound is often imitated but always unmatched and their fervent cravings to flirt with Punk, Psychedelic, Blues, Groove and Industrial landscapes have contributed to their flamboyant palette and dynamic sound. Paranoid Earthling’s credibility to perform diverse versions of classic and contemporary Rock ‘n Roll covers have placed the Band as a hot pick for concerts in India and Sri Lanka.

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 , The Doors

Releases

 * Rock 'N Roll is My Anarchy - EP 2005
 * 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)

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


 * 12 December 2009 the band performed at the South Asian Band Festival held in Purana Qila, New Delhi to a crowd of 10,000 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.

Reference Links
Review on Rock 'N Roll is My Anarchy from chroniclesofchaos

Interview with Sunday Observer

NDTV news - South Asian Bands Festival 2009

Review on As I Lay Dying tour of Sri Lanka

Live Coverage from As I Lay Dying tour of Sri Lanaka

The Nation - Soul Magazine

Time Out Bengaluru

Unearthing The Metal Underground: The Colombo, Sri Lanka Metal Scene

We Met Paranoid Earthling

Paranoid Earthling TV channel on You Tube