Setting the stage for Band Heroes
Band Heroe Judges - Amishka Bernard Botejue, Shamin De Silva, and Preven Weerakoon at auditions.Pix courtesy Dhamin Sarap
When Band Heroes 2018 takes the stage next Saturday young music lovers can expect an evening of music, artistry and compelling performances.
The interschool competition is organized by the Interact Club of Bishop’s College and will showcase the musical and performing talents of the 9 finalist bands. From Sinhala and English favorites, rock to pop, soul and other genres ‘Band Heroes’ hopes to be a platform to allow young performers to explore their vocal and instrumental talents. These days the young musicians and singers are gearing up for performances that mark a first time for many of their bands. We caught up with a few of the finalist bands ahead of the big competition.
Although they only debuted this year, “Radio Jam” is no stranger to performing in front of packed audiences. The 5 member band of 18-year-olds from D.S. Senanayake College first took the stage together at “Interflash – Live Lights 2018” and were one of the two selected bands chosen to play for “Interflash – Live Light Semi Finals 2018”. The band comprises of Shiranga Wijethunga (lead vocals), Samadhi Dias (lead guitar) Kevin Sarathchandra (keyboard and backing vocals) Kavindu Perera (bass) and Yasiru Perera (drums). Although they are inspired by several eras of music- from the 70’s to the 90’s, they chose to go with the Counting Crow’s 2000 classic “Accidentally in Love” and a more recent hit by Charlie Puth for their audition.
For “Vivace Crew” from Ananda College,2018 marks their first Band Heroes performance as well. One of the competition’s bigger bands (8 members in total), took their name from another school event they all took part in- a musical show organized by Ananda College called “Vivace”. Sanuja Gunasekara , Avishka Sooriyapperuma, Shashika Fernando , Kavishka Attanayake ,Sapna Wijendra , Yoshitha Abeysingha , Rashmitha Wijeratne and Sasanka Gunasekara make up the band which impressed the judges with their rendition of Chitral Somapala’s “Miringuwa Parada” which they also hope to perform at the finals.
Some of the bands at auditions
Bishop’s College while being the host school will have its own band taking part as well. “Encore” has 12 members in total between the ages of 15-18 years. While this is the first time the band is performing together at Band Heroes, the young Bishopians are no strangers to performing at previous editions of the inter school musical extravaganza. Their retro/pop style found the girls performing at many other school events “unofficially” they explain, but always got requests from their audiences and so “Encore got its name.” This time around, they will be adding a violin and saxophone into their musical lineup and hope to give a “mesmerizing” performance.
“Rude” from Nalanda College will be bringing a more local flavor to their performance next Saturday. Members include Dishan Navodya (lead vocals), Shaveen Rashmitha (drums), Vidath Dulanjith (bass), Vinod Rodrigo (lead guitar), Rashen Suwandaratne , Senura Dinujaya (keyboard), Disanda Anutara (vocals) and Chatura Wijesekara (rhythm guitar). The band also have additional percussion which adds to their unique style which is inspired by local legends like Marians and Daddy.
The S. Thomas’ College 6 man band gets their name from the mythical musician of ancient Greece; “Orpheus”. Band members- Udham (18), Himaru (18), Praveen(19), Vihan(19), Manith(18) and Enoch(18) will include a saxophone and viola as part of their set list and will be playing an upbeat favourite by Olly Murs which also got them through the audition round. Although their identity comes from ancient Greece, the boys of Orpheus hope to hit the stage with songs inspired by contemporary artistes like Bruno Mars, DNCE and The Hooligans.
Staying true to their roots is “Blue Shadows” from Wesley College. Shalom Manupriya (Lead Vocals), Dhyan Perera (Drums), Nimroth Loganathan ( Piano), Shehan Khalib( Bass), Dulena Gohonuwatta (Percussion), Joshua Dias( Back Up Vocals and Electric Guitar) and Chehan Sivaruban (saxophone) together with Avishka Ashen and Minuk Korallage. Their influences range from Coldplay, Metallica to George Michael which they showcased at the audition, with a Coldplay hit. When “Illicit” took the stage at the audition round, their rendition of “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons was impressive and will make a return on their set for the finals. Hailing from Gateway College, the men and women behind Illicit are Kavishka (19), Deven(19), Dhinuk(18), Thuvaaraka(17), Shehan(17), Akila(17) and Maria(16).
“Band Heroes 2018- The Sign of the Times”
organized by the Interact Club and Parents Teachers Association of Bishop’s College will be held on March 3, from 6.30 pm onwards at the Bishop’s College Grounds. Tickets are priced at Rs. 700 and are available at the Bishop’s College entrance- Boyd Place and with all Bishopian interactors.