Classic rock is back
By Tarini Pilapitiya
View(s): With a vision of giving momentum to the local rock scene, Suriyapperuma Rock Saturday is aimed at creating a platform for indigenous rock stars to take center stage. Resurrected by brothers, Asanga and Pubudu Suriyapperuma, of their company Suriya along with their team and the support of their friends Chathuranga Fonseka, Naushan Abbas, Kasun Pinto, Mirshad Buckman, Buddhi De Mal and the Late Keshan Wijesekara.
Pic by Priyantha Wickramaraachi
Launching their revival installment on April 28 at the Dutch Burgher Union (DBU), the event was a star studded affair with multi genre local rock superstars making an appearance in the talented line up.
Despite being riddled with some technical sound problems, Suriyapperuma Rock Saturday played well on into the night, its laidback audience making it almost a stereotype to the ambiance expected at a rock and roll show.
The artist line up included memorable performances from Bernard Botejue from Circus Cult (and founder of Cult Studios), Drummer and Constellation’s front man Eshantha Perera, a novel group Bramble Jam, Sakwala Chakraya, Fallen Kids, Attic Noise, Stringfield, Nefertem, Salvage and Whirlwind.
Starting the night off with a haunting performance befitting of their namesake, the three piece acoustic group ‘Attic Noise’ warmed up the crowd. Starting off with a “chilled out” version of late 90’s Chicano rock group, the Los Lonely Boys famous “How far is heaven” powerhouse Natasha Koralage can both startle and soothe with her robust vocal tone. The band went on to cover a mash up of rock genres from music by Kings of Leon, Linkin Park, The Cranberries and taking everyone’s “Breath” away with Breaking Benjamin making this intimate group – a killer start.
Forming a special collaboration for Rock Saturday was “Bramble Jam”, comprising musicians from various other bands and solo artists. The bands repertoire was home for some well-known hits. Covering alternative rock group 4 Non Blondes crowd pleaser “What’s Up”, R&B/ Pop artist Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie” and even to progressive rock band Porcupine tree. Bramble Jam made sure to keep their selection as diverse as their fellow band mates. Beatles, Abbery Road famous “Come Together” was a fitting cover by the band and for the night and was a clear crowd pleaser in the confines of the DBU.
‘Stringfield’ brought their own essence of Sinhala hard rock with their original “Math Bambaru” to the feast of rock music that evening – appreciating devoured with gusto by the crowd. The band also went on to perform Metallica’s, Ernest Hemingway inspired “For whom the Bells Tolls” bringing a literary sensibility and personality to the musical madness that is Metallica.
Three seemed to be the magic number this evening, as trio “Fallen Kids” brought the punk rock scene to Colombo that evening. Another group that really got the crowd going was founder of Cult Studios Bernard Botejue, who brought some soulful sounds with a little help from his friends. Performing an original song called “Job”, Bernard & Friends swayed a lot of hearts in the room. The band also re-introduced one of Bob Marley’s more underrated ditties “Iron Lion Zion”, later going on to play an original composition by guitarist Palitha “Pali” Abeyratne’s from the band Happy Journey. Taking on the stage were also rock alumns ‘Salvage’. Their first song “Juxtaposed”, the progressive rock hit with a marriage of metal elements, was a hit with the crowd. Among their set list the band played a moving tribute to Audioslave’s, the late Chris Cornell. The band member’s synced head banging, guitarist Shalinda Halpe’s solos, and the sheer rock star enthusiasm of the members wrought all the elements of a great act.
Rock Saturday was initially founded by Rock Company’s, Ajith Perera with the support of his brothers Rohan and Senaka in what was the heyday of Rock music, the late 70’s. With initiatives like this the Rock Company helped pioneer platforms for bands like Stigmata, Paranoid Earthling, Whirlwind, Fallen Grace, Tantrum, Siblings of Hatred and Karmic Sulphur etc. After being on a hiatus for a number of years, Rock Saturday’s rights were recently transferred – from the Perera brothers to the Suriya brothers.
Pubudu and Asanga Suriyapperuma share the same vision as Ajith in creating a platform for homegrown artists to develop and mature. Speaking to the Sunday Times, the brothers have been heavily influenced by their father’s taste in music. From Pink Floyd to Jim Reeves and even Englebert Humperdink, over the years they’ve grown diverse into other genres from Led Zeppelin, Uriah Heep, the Beatles etc.
“We’re looking mainly for bands that can provide us a sense of originality” Pubudu shares. The organizers are also keen on bands having good showmanship, discipline, control on stage and with their instruments. Their long term vision will be helping these bands to showcase their music to an international arena.
In terms of acts Pubudu affirms that creativity is key. “Bands should have a willingness to just go for it” emphatically elaborating “It’s either go big or go home”.
With the support and positive responses from the revival, Pubudu can only hope that rock and heavy metal can one day become supportive career paths and allow to have a Sri Lankan identity in rock music. His advise to musicians interested in playing at Rock Saturday is simple “play originals and let people know what you guys are good at” adding “There’s no failure in music cause you’re doing what you love”. “Failure is only if you don’t take the chance to do it” Pubudu affirms.
Suriyapperuma Rock Saturday’s second edition into its revival will be held on May 26 at the Women’s International Club, Colombo 07. Tag the organizers on your music videos/ recordings. The organizers are also open to suggestions which can be sent to them on their social media pages
Facebook – @suriyabrothers642
Instagram – @suriya_brothers
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