Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

A time to rock
By The Rockaholics
Move over Britney Spears and all other pop bands as rock, hip-hop and alternate music make waves in Sri Lanka. Rock has hit music lovers hard, and many local bands are opting to focus on rock. While major pop acts are starting to become all but a distant memory, bands like ‘Linkin Park’ and ‘Stained’ are beginning to dominate the local music charts.

If in doubt, just check out all the new bands emerging on the local music scene. It’s rock and head banging all the way and these are the people who are getting an audience. “Rock music is the best thing that is happening at the moment and it’s causing a complete change as far as music is concerned,” says Jason from Sun FM. He feels people’s tastes have definitely changed.

Promoting a lot of rock music, he feels that there have been several good rock bands coming up locally as well as internationally. “It’s different and it maybe loud but it makes sense,” he adds.

For anything to be popular locally, the roots have to come from close to home, so that’s why pop isn’t as big in Sri Lanka as rock music is,” says Damien of TNL Radio. “There are lots of requests for new songs especially by bands like Linkin Park and Metallica,” Damien adds. Realizing the potential of upcoming local rock bands, TNL Radio organizes TNL Onstage to support the cause.

“It’s cool that a person who calls in one day requesting a song from ‘Linkin Park’ will ring the next day and ask for a song from one of the local rock bands.” So is this interest in rock music really another fad? Nilan of Yes FM feels it’s a trend among youngsters, “especially after bands like ‘Linkin Park’ and ‘Limp Bizkit’ came out.” However he says that it is not exactly pure rock but a blend of rap and pop. “It’s a lot more than the guitars and the heavy metal.”

Ryan of E! FM says that the number of requests for rock songs has not exactly increased, but that it depends on which show you’re doing as well. “It has been pretty much the same for sometime, perhaps changing only slightly.”He adds that R’n’B is also very popular at the moment. “The music we play is research-based. We don’t play very heavy rock, and the important thing is that it should be socially acceptable.”

So is it true people are actually taking notice of rock/alternative music in Sri Lanka? We asked a few rock fans what was behind this whole phenomenon. Shehan (16) feels that more people are indeed moving toward rock music. “Just switch on the radio and that is all you hear.”

“Everyone is into rock at the moment. It’s really cool,” says Eshan (25),“but when you look at it critically, it’s not really the song but the guitar and heavy metal that people want nowadays.”

“Rock is my life,” says Randi (19) while Steve (19) agrees. “Rock is definitely happening,” he says, “especially when it comes to partying, no other music will do.” “I suppose with all the new rock bands that are making waves in Sri Lanka it is no surprise that everyone is getting more in to rock and hip hop,” says Nelumi (18).

Heshan (17) adds that, “I have a feeling it is also about a change of attitude among the younger generation.” Well, it seems rock music has most certainly staged an invasion of the local music scene. Agreed it could be because many Sri Lankan bands are playing rock or because many can really relate to it. Looks like that’s what you’ll be hearing for some time to come!

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