In Tune With Chamikara Weerasinghe Hi folks Years in music Flight 12 to land in Since when? here is hardly any beat In the case of Sri Lankan scene band in Sri Lanka or in there are but a few bands that T any other country for have lasted as a unit to reach the that matter , which has lasted milestone of 20 years. Canada for recording unchanged for more than 20 The band Marians reached years, the reason being the this mark recently celebrating members in a band are likely their music for the past 20 years to leave their outfits out of at the BMICH. Interestingly we boredom or venture into new come across another name in the grounds. history of popular band music in But the situation is different Sri Lanka which has entered their with individual artistes for they 39 th year in music as an all-time seem to cruise along somehow in active unit. The Golden Chimes is the field from eighteen till they perhaps the only band that has die. lasted so long with its vocalist Only a very few bands have Lankika Perera and bassist vocal- enjoyed their being on the road ist Chanaka Perera the period of as a unit for more than 20 years. late composer Clarence Wijewar- Among them are UB40, Pearl dena. Jam, Cinderella, Poison, U2, There are old bands in Sri Smashing Pumpkins and Bryan Lanka which came in the period Adams and his band. between 1960s and 70s but they These guys are consummate did not last as practical musical professionals in the field of music, units. They all had breaks for five and they can continue to last to ten years or ten to fifteen doing their best for another thirty years. These bands tend to claim or sixty years. that they have been in the music They all share one thing in scene for thirty years or fifty years common that they have been through media, but it is untrue. practically involved in music in What has happened is that one form or another by touring to they have lived long after their stage their live performances , bands have been disbanded, producing audio and videos which means they have been out albums , or practicing indoors of the way of music than they with the unit. were with it. So next time be These musicians and their careful when a band that has just bands can rightly announce that reunited were to say that they they have been in the music have been in the music scene for scene for the past 20, 30 or 40 twenty, thirty or forty years. Have years because they have been in a nice weekend! it for such time. - Chamikara Predictions and picks for 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards When: 8-11:30 p.m. Sunday on CBS (live from The Staples Center in Los Flight 12: Kelum Ishara (Josef), Shamil Perera (Bamsi), Roshan Vignarajah (Paul) , Shaleen Shanthikumar (Shanti) , Shehan Juriansz (Delon) and Devshan Angeles). Perera (Dave) in the centre (from left to right) Performances: U2; Kid Rock; Robert Plant & Alison Krauss; Rihanna; The show itself should be entertaining with a slew of live performances CHAMIKARA Flight Twelve have including a rare television spot by Radiohead, superstar rapper T.I. with Justin WEERASINGHE music scene is somewhat become a band that and the talent in the outfit Timberlake, and Dave Grohl back on the drums with Paul McCartney. It airs different from other pro- local audiences a few years ago and facili- 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS. hree guys sat on fessional bands in the tated the local boys to wooden stools scene for they are more would look up move on with their music. Here are picks and predictions T and two started inclined to play their own to do something As put it by Tylor, who is Album of the Year: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss’ “Raising strumming acoustic songs or compositions as special on any given also the manager of Flight Sand,” because it was not only a beautifully made record, but it’s the guitars while the third against doing cover songs. day for they seem Twelve, “ the group is tal- only one that crosses genres. picked electric bass. Flight 12 have become a to have often been ented and young. The Record of the Year: Coldplay (“Viva La Vida”) and Plant-Krauss The guy in the middle band that local audiences able to astound a eldest member of the band (“Please Read the Letter”) clash again in this category, with relative sang and played would look up for do as with their recent crowd with a few is 23, and the rest are in newcomers Adele (“Chasing Pavements”), Leona Lewis (“Bleeding Love”). rhythm. He was Dave something special on any appearances at Water’s their eighteens and nine- I’m guessing Plant-Krauss again, and it’s a beautiful song, but the Perera . On his right given day for they seem to Edge and Margarita Blue of their own singles teens”. one with the biggest wow-factor is M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes,” an was Shamil Perera, have often been able to of Galadari. “However, we have got “They simply needed to alt-hip-hop dance track with a sly vocal, Clash sample and that who accompanied astound a crowd with a This is what Flight very good response for be directed,” he said. distinctly clever chorus with the gunshot and cash register. Dave with the lead gui- few of their own singles Twelve’s Dave has to say our music in the middle of “ What I found more Song of the Year: Estelle and Kanye West on “American Boy,” which should Tommy Tylor tar with Paul picking no matter where they play. about their approach to things. The band has com- fascinating about Paul, win this one. electric bass. They would play many music and playing covers posed music for 14 origi- Dave, Joseph, Shalin, devote most of my time Best Rock Song: Death Cab for Cutie’s “I Will Possess Your Heart,” Flight 12 usually per- genres of pop music rang- of other artistes: “ We do nal songs written by Delon and Shamil was writing songs.” Coldplay’s “Violet Hill” and Kings of Leon’s “Sex on Fire,” which form a song or two with a ing from folk to heavy cover songs alright, but Tommy Tylor,” said Dave. their ability to understand “The band has so far would be a better song if the chorus wasn’t “your sex is on fire.” few instruments in their metal and even jazz to we are committed to do Flight Twelve would a musical idea. This composed 10 per cent of Best Rock Album: Is Coldplay nominated in every category or what? Here gigs. The outfit has six- some extent. originals.” not have ventured into prompted me to provide the songs,” he said. it’s up against Metallica, Kid Rock, Kings of Leon and The Raconteurs. members with Joseph on They would not leave “It is not going to be composing their own them with my lyrics,” he Explaining his plans for Not easy comparing those five. Coldplay probably gets it, but I’d go Keyboard, Shalin on an audience without easy for any band to sur- music, had it not been to said. the band, Tylor said,” I am Metallica because “Death Magnetic” was a crushing return to form. drums, whom the rest of delighting them with at vive in the Western music Canadian song writer Tylor has written about trying to get a record deal Best Alternative Music Album: Death Cab for Cutie, Gnarls Barkley, My the party call “Shanti” and least one or two of their scene without playing Tommy Tylor, who is the 100 songs. He occasional- for us. I have spoken to Morning Jacket. Delon on vocals. originals songs. covers because people main figure behind Flight ly sings with the band, but Sony records in Canada.” Best Metal Performance: It’s not the best song on the album, but most Flight Twelve’s Their performances want to listen to them,” he Twelve successes. said “I do not consider “We are also planing to voters will check Metallica’s “My Apocalypse” because the seminal approach to local Western have become remembered said. Tylor spotted the band myself as a singer for I record a few songs in metal band is bound for the Rock Hall induction this year. Best Rap Album: Nas, Jay-Z and Lupe Fiasco are deserving as usual, but “Tha Carter III” was Lil Wayne’s coming-out party and it defined hip-hop in 2008. Listen to the Music Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: It’s going to be tough for the newbies to knock off Brooks & Dunn and Rascal Flatts, but the jubilance Lady Antebellum brings to “Love Don’t Live Here” makes it too hard to resist. Doobie Brothers Best Country Song: This category has deep-voiced studs Randy Travis, George Strait and Trace Adkins, but the clear standout is Jamey Johnson’s “In Color,” a moving memoir of a grandfather looking back on e—————————————————————— Everything I say his struggles in the Great Depression and the big war. B—————————————————————— Meet me in the country for a day Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Rick Rubin went from Neil Diamond G—————————————————————— We’ll be happy and we’ll dance to Metallica, which is pretty impressive, but that’s topped by Danger D—9——-9—-9—-9——-9——-9—-9—-9—-9—— Wooh, gonna dance the night away Mouse, who was at the helm for three great albums by the Black Keys, A—9_10-10—10—10——-9_10-10—10—10—-9—— If I’m feelin’ good to you Beck and his own Gnarls Barkley.