They’re good mate. And Swinly is hot. Illegal – but hot. I hope they don’t go down the Independent Square Road. If you take your head out of the Plaza swimming pool my friend ou will find a lot of original talent in Sri Lankan music, and your feigned surprise that it exists may be read in a more patronising tone than it was intended.

They’re pretty good, Swinly’s one of those enviably talented girls who can play any musical instrument you throw at her, and sings brilliantly as well. Anik’s a really enthusiastic drummer and Afdhel’s superb. This would be a hard ticket to get.

Swinly, as Loki has said in an earlier post (I can’t be bothered sifting through the WHOLE of waywardmutterings :)) is possibly the only good thing about that band. I mean they’ve got a decent show but are nothing to really write home about. But then again I haven’t seen them for a few months so I may just drop in or something. Or something.

I think I’ll go, and Shanaka, does the irony of lecturing me about being patronising completely escape you?

Swinly (especially her bottom) is certainly the best part of BMB but I think their overall sound is quite good too. Its odd, because I tend to lean towards goth metal and what they do is more like fusion. There’s something about their music that sort of.. whats the phrase.. got under my skin. Besides, they are not entirely devoid of “rock” since their drummer used to play for Stigmata…

There’s a BMB original called “Morningstar” that I remember liking the last time I heard them. Anyway, the CD should help decide matters once and for all..

a touch of clarity:

1. shanaka do you seriously stand by the claim that there’s a ‘lot of original talent in sri lankan music’?

2. the tickets are not hard to get. just turn up at the british council at about 7pm on saturday.

the lead singer of the band is aadhil, not afdhel. (afdhel is his older brother whom you may remember from tnl radio’s morning show circa mid 90s.)

3. nothing to write home about? count on your fingers the number of english language bands in town who write, compose and perform their *own* music, and with verve at that. what do have? two bands? three? grow up my friend, no one’s claiming they’re a band of global standard – we have neither the industry nor the exposure to generate production of that quality. what we *do* have though is a very small pool of people doing their damndest under the circumstances. when you dismiss that sort of effort and skill in an offhand manner do you not think you become part of the problem – adding to the rancid colombo mentality of grumbling and putting down anyone who tries to raise their heads above the sewage we swim through?

4. god, i love this font.

Yes Desh I do stand by it. Except that we dont’ get to hear most of it as they get frustrated with life for being fronted by fuckwits like Anil and leave the country. It’s there.

And Indi, no – the irony doesn’t escape me. I just like being like this.

Swinly is fit.

Afdhel not so fit. Afdhel – not Adil. Adil is fit.

Mahangu you disappoint me (says Shanaka going back several years to a dingy room in STCML where he first though “ah – this boy can write”)

fair enough, let’s see some names then.

here’s a few (off the top of my head) to get you started: INDIE SQUARE in all its various guises (i disagree with the general consensus that it’s gone downhill since the original lineup spilt. sure it changed a great deal and embraced more radio-friendly sensibilities but they’re still cranking out original material. new album out soon apparently). STIGMATA. um. and this is where i take issue.

(there’s also this bunch of guys here now called JADA who are superb musicians but haven’t made the break into original work. huge potential.)

send more names, i expect you’ve got quite a list.

Ajit. Dodgy bugger that was the creative genius behind the original IS. Vanished into the American oblivion. Shehan. Still on his quest to write the defining Sri Lankan novel. Andre – who plays lead for Stigmata. Without a doubt the best stringfellow in the country. Group of nutcases calling themselves Paranoid Earthling. Decent without being great. I’m not saying the next Kurt Cobain or Robert Plant is lurking under the next araliya tree. My point is that the scene is a lot brighter than people give it credit for. For ‘people’ read Indi…heh heh.

interestingly, given what Desh said about the ‘rancid colombo mentality ‘, Stigmata are the recipients of a considerable amount of snide comments too. though this may have as much to do with anti-metal sentiments as anything else. that and their naked ambition, which i heartily aprove of and think is very rock. re. Paranoid Earthling, they don’t play many originals do they? the last time i saw them, which was sometime ago, they had about two very good, if derivative, originals and a number of enjoyable covers.

Brass Monkey Band is one of the most talented and great Sri Lankan bands I’ve heard in ages. I’ve been to all their performances except one and I think they rock (Not that I’m biased cos 2 of my friends are in the band :) )

Swinley is one talented girl that completely blew me away the first day I met her in school, being able to pretty much play any instrument and sing any note. Anik is a talented drummer and adds a lot of fun and enthusiasm to his performance. Others are as good so anyone who can make it tonight should definitely GO, I assure you, you won’t be disappointed.

Its great to see young Sri Lankans doing this and esp ORIGINALS and all that. Everyone appreciates a creativity and orginality, we’re so sick of all the mushroom bands doing the same damn songs over and over and over and over again. Esp the rock bands.

Iromi you’re a breath of fresh air in this nepotic, cliche ridden world of sycophants. Rock on sistah!

[...] the Brass Monkey concert. Wasted my camera trying to get photos of Swinly’s bottom (for the people) and the thing was dead by the time anything happened. Desh has a the vita [...]

Deshan,
when you dismiss that sort of effort and skill in an offhand manner do you not think you become part of the problem – adding to the rancid colombo mentality of grumbling and putting down anyone who tries to raise their heads above the sewage we swim through?

I doubt I need to grow up for voicing my opinion. I don’t think they are anything to write home about. If you personally like them (which I think you do, the way you seem to be pimping them), I have no problem with that. Just please, let off the patronizing. Your taste is not mine. Let it rest there.

I don’t know if I’m adding to the problem or not. Maybe I am. But that is not my motive. I just don’t think they’re that good. It’s as simple as that.

Incidentally, I just want to clarify something else. I have nothing against the band members themselves. I loved Anik while he played for Stigmata (they were pretty good back then, IMHO). Anik is a good drummer. I don’t know the rest (well apart from hearing that swinly’s bottom is good) at all. I just don’t like their music.

Also, as I said in my first comment, maybe they’ve improved since I last saw them. I wanna get this album and rip the MP3s real soon (and YES, I’ll BUY it first).

Hey there! As the former manager of the band its nice to see hard work been appreciated…To tell you the truth we never understood what genre our music was at the time…Aadhil came up with the words and a basic tune, Swinly and Oshan added depth to it and off it went. Ravi (tabla) joined later on and gave it a certain twist that confused the band even more…They are simply a crazy bunch with instruments and all out to make some noise..Perfection will come with time and a lot more experience playing outdoor gigs i guess…Shanaka stay off Swinly please, you never did really listen to the music when i invited you over now did you? perv… Let me know what you think of the album guys, I guess you think a little different when you are actually involved in the production of it…

Indi- The pictures look awesome buddy… Do me a favour and take my sister in law’s (to be) legs off the gallery please, don’t appreciate it being displayed in that manner. Cheers..

er, sorry Dilshan

Hey there Dilshan K ! Just listening to the monkey album n think Its Amazing !.. never heard such a good fusion album anywhere..
Well.. i have heard their Album (I think its the EP..) couple of times last year , but never thought they r this good neway! I simply think the Mr Percussionist/Tablist/Drummer -Ravihansa- was Brilliant ! I strongly believe , Having him in there makes them such a strong Band.. cuz never seen such classy showmanship at local gigs… Basically He Rockd da show!.. I was truly Surprised to see such good Percussion drummer in colombo… Dilshan , Can you give more details about him, since you were their Manager Once ?

You are so right Celina, I think the band was complete when he came in to the picture around June / July last year. He added a whole new flavor and is now a key factor in their music… He has been playing tabla since he was 6 if i’m not mistaken and has a natural ability to adapt to the music the band had already been playing..The percussions are more or less a passion to him, he loves to show off which is a good thing… I love what he does with the hammer on the Tabla, i wonder if you noticed… I had to leave the band because I migrated to Australia, was managing them till Feb this year, so if you have any more questions feel free to ask..
Thanks for the positive feedback will make sure i convey the message to the band. They believe in constant learning so negative feedback is very much appreciated too..
Cheers..

oi indi, take that shot off man! If not feel free to send me a pic of your sister’s legs (if you don’t have one, your mother’s then) and I will put it up on my site…miss chat’n with ya buddy, hope all is well..
cheers.. DK

It is deleted man, that’s just the cache on your local machine. Refresh or Ctrl-F5 and it should disappear. Stay the fk away from my sisters, posterboy. And my mother, damn.

I’m adding some comments people made on Flickr just so you know the audience is far more letch than I. Everybody wants more compromising photos of the men, which Pillai (the actual photographer) and I completely missed.

damn it. i just typed in this comment, and then something happened.

anyway. i was saying i admire the monkeys for the effort in trying to break away from the usual if nothing else.

their somewhat a relief in a time when MOST (not all, most) of the local music industry is either trying to do rock or trying to do hip hop and fucking up royally, or not so royally. but fucking up, either way. the monkeys are cool because they attempt to be something else, something in betweem all the existing genres of music we recognize. their cool primarily because they do few covers, and more original music, leaving them to set their own standards. see the problem with many of the local bands (except iraj and them, who are also pretty admirable, and a few others) is that they stick to covers, having to live up to the standards of internationally acclaimed artistes. the monkeys are safe from that, they explore their own stuff, not leaving any chance of having to disappoint their audience by doing covers.

their fun. but they should sack aadhil. atleast from being the vocalist.

Ahhh, all is well… Will leave your sister and mother out of it now…forgive my ignorence of the Ctrl+F5 keys, i will not make that mistake again… I love the pictures of the band, very well taken..

Pix are taken by Aingaran Pillai, and props to him. The Brass Monkeys photograph very well. The girls seem to go crazy for the tabla player and, oddly enough, Swinly.

Shanaka Amarasinghe Said ” And… Swinly is hot. Illegal – but hot ”

Surely she is over 16 or does it have to be 18 ?

She’s definitely over 16. I think Shanaka has a restraining order.

Machan Dilshan you have to cut that Swinly deal for me. What are friends for…?

“Ravihansa is the man in the band…He just rocked the concert….What a talent he has!!….And Swingly was so hot and cute

hey shana- Friends are for keeping you from getting prosecuted by the very legal system you abuse… is 16 legal though? I think they should have a partner limit of 20 or so, 26 i think is a little ilegal u old bastard…any thoughts?

Lets just say that I’m in a position where I see her at least once a day.. and trust me, beating down the urge to start a “Stalking Swinly” blog or even better a photolog, is a constant struggle.

Anyway, I’m sure I can arrange to have her umm.. packaged and delivered to your door but its obviously gonna cost you. Do I hear a few starting bids?

Loki- Ebay is the forum you are looking for i think…

Now there’s an idea.. indi, how about you start a local ebay as your next project? Now that kottu’s off the ground, I’m sure you’ve got plenty time on your hands [grin]

ebay… for women? I’d be happy to set something up if you’d be the madam. Now where has this conversation gone…

Machan she’s 17 right. By next year at the latest she’s going to be legal. And I have to lay the err….groundwork before then. So Loki, since our man is in Melbourne, and I am unfortunately in London, you will have to get cracking O Evil Brother of Thor. Are you the same bloke that used to be on TNL? Goot Goot.

Hats off to Ainga for taking that mike photo – it’s almost Tera Patrickian.

I’m a big fan of e bay. Got a Crusaders top for half price. So I’m to start bidding at ‘you’ll be my friend for life if you sort me out and that’s good because you never know where I’ll end up’.

Going once?

indi, as long as we can be fair and have the thing catering to all sexes/ proclivities, I’m game for the pimp job.

Shanaka, lets make that Evil Sister of Thor and much to the detriment of my fragile little ego, TNL doesnt even acknowledge my repeated pleas for employment. ..

Damn shame that…my apologies, I was working on the assumption that Loki was indeed a male on the literal application of Norse mythology. Come and work at Yes FM with me!

So is the deal done then? Any higher bids received?

WoW ! so nice to put my comments about da Monkey gig guys !

They’re Really good, Swinly’s one of those Gifted talented girls who can play any musical instrument you throw at her …
Damn ! Ravihansa… Mr Cute n Gifted Percussion Drummer /Tablist … Multi-talented and underated. Gorgous with Spiky hair ! a true Showman !!! saw good Shots of the two in the Mirror mag… check it out guys ! Cute Couple !!!!

welll , all in all Its a miracle band… I sincerly hope they dont follow da KrebCycle Path !
its sad to see many good bands disappear… Hope Its Not With MONKeys !

Great Stuff From Da Monkeys !!! like everybody in d a band !!!!
Excellent Performance !
Waita Go MONkEyS !

Sugathi- What Kreb’s lacked was a vision, a progression from where they were to something beyond…pitty coz that band i looked upto, when az and ranil got on stage they make the crowd go nuts, haven’t met a band that could hold a crowd’s attention like that.. Ranil has gone on to recording an EP with his new band Hollowpoint Hala…(if you haven’t heard of it you can check their music out on http://www.hollowpointhalo.com).He is now realizing his dream…
The BMB started out with a clear vision…
1. to stay away from all those covers..
2. Record an album in 3 months and promote it.
3. Perform a 90-10 ratio of originals to covers and make people watch the band for who they are…as individual performers and as a band that jam on stage..
4. Have a record deal someday or if nothing happens then cherish it as wonderful experience…

The band started off playing at my friend Leah’s house in April last year. We recorded the EP and sold it to about 50 guests who were there that night…since then Anik’s dad introduced the band to Killy Rajamhendran who is the owner of the Maharaja group and he inturn pop’d our CD accross to AR Rahuman’s producer Mr. Paul Jacobs who was playing base the other night at the BC gig.. The band took ten days in December to record the album that you got at the gig and it was produced by Paul in India which took a few months..
Thought i’d give u all a bit of the behind the scenes info. Its been a lot of hard work and i’m glad its appreciated.

Suganthi – I think i spelt your name wrong earlier…sorry about that..
Shana- You’ve had these dreams from about the day i introduced you to her… good luck mate, she’s a tough cookie to crack.. no help from your oldest buddy though, was her manager, but still rather protective of her..Don’t mean to sound like the pooper here so i guess i’ll keep quiet in “the coverting swinly forum”…

Dilshan – If you are in Oz how about getting them to the womadelaide festival, may be even a swing through Melbourne. From what I’ve seen it’s all about world music and the south asian contingent has been wanting. If BMB are as good and alternative/fusion as claimed they might have good chance of getting a gig.

Does anyone know where I can purchase the album online? Tried http://www.me.lk (ugly) but didn’t find it online.

Dilshan and the rest. You know I love you machan. And I will forgive you for not setting me up with Swinly because we go further than a lot of people have been alive. But let’s hold our horses here. They are a very different, if somewhat chaotic breath of fresh air in the local scene. There’s still a long way to go as far as depth of lyrics and music go. The infinite talent of Swinly must not be a mask to hide fundamental deficiencies. As I told you when I first saw them Aadil must be careful not to take the Anil route to vocal hell. I haven’t seen them since Frangipani and my views maybe outdated, but let’s take it slowly and see where they go. With this much discerning interest the only way is up.

ivap – The truth is that the band is out of my hands now…My intension was to research the music scene over here and get them over but i guess they are now contracted by the Maharaja group over there and things seem to be going pretty good. So i won’t be involved with the band anymore…

Correction :
Dilshan Kodituwakku Says:

May 5th, 2005 at 3:32 pm
Sugathi- What Kreb’s lacked was a vision, a progression from where they were to something beyond…pitty coz that band i looked upto, when az and ranil got on stage they make the crowd go nuts, haven’t met a band that could hold a crowd’s attention like that.. Ranil has gone on to recording an EP with his new band Hollowpoint Hala…(if you haven’t heard of it you can check their music out on http://www.hollowpointhalo.com).He is now realizing his dream…

Ranil is part of the band HollowPoint Halo, which is a collective of musicians, writers and web professionals.
Check out the site http://www.hollowpointhalo.com

Loki…. howz our secret fetish thing going???
Ya know what I’m talking about… Hehehe…

The Haliens have arrived !

Chathu, can we please refrain from discussing my secret fetishes in PUBLIC? Not that most of them arent plastered all over the internet already but honestly…

As for….

“There’s still a long way to go as far as depth of lyrics and music go. The infinite talent of Swinly must not be a mask to hide fundamental deficiencies. As I told you when I first saw them Aadil must be careful not to take the Anil route to vocal hell.”

Hear hear, I say..

Aj- Sorry about that technicality, also realized that i’ve spelt the band name wrong although i did get the website right..

Shana-They’ve made a considerable improvement since the last time you saw them perform at frangi, so hold on to your comment until you actually here the music. Many have brought up aadhil’s voice as an issue and he knows it…he is doing his best to improve in the pitching department but i guess the rest is his style and either you like it or you don’t. How does his voice sound on the CD? comments anyone?

someone was right about the band. bmb is a very skilled band, sans the vocalist. i will start really liking the band if they actually get a guy who can sing and play guitar. adhil can do neither and it’s very noticeable when he fronts a band that is so technically competent. heck, they don’t even need him. swinley- and her much spoken about bottom should suffice.
shanaka, the guy playing guitar for stigs is andrew. would agree that he’s the best. the only axeman who occasionally outshines him would be tenny. some dimwit actually claimed that stigmata were better back when anik was drumming for them. they’ve grown 100 fold since then. they actually are in the receiving end of a lot of shit since the masses can’t quite dig their material. Anyone into anymore into new original bands in SL? I’m very impressed with Thapas.

Ado Dilshan – don’t get so defensive you bugger. I’d rather listen to them than anyone else. Chill. Did I mention Swinly was hot??

Angela my apologies – I did leave out the ‘w’ on the end of Andrew’s name. He’s a bloody genius, and although Tenny is superb and I love him to death, he’s not in the same league though. But then they play different instruments. The problem with Stigmata is the same as we have with lots of people who post on this site. We are all arrogant, stubborn twats. Suresh has a very, very good voice, which unfortunately he doesn’t think needs improving. Their lyrics are full of genuine angst and they are inspired by some legendary bands. Unfortunately many people think they are pretentious. But like Shane Warne they revel in the barbs they receive. They, and buggers like Ranil (Kakkutta) are some of the few buggers I know who live and breathe their music. I’m not saying others don’t – I just don’t know them. And it shows in their work. There are people that dislike the Beatles and listen to Girls Aloud. There’s no accounting for taste.

I notice sadly that Loki is not following up on our deal…:(

shana- not defensive buddy, just telling you what’s been hap’nin since u left…He’s got a lot of slack from everyone and he is working on it, just wanted to tell you that…just need to know how he sounds on the album since i haven’t heard it as yet…You are one of the few people i know who will tell it as it is, yes you did mention she was hot…I think you are only person that has bid so far though…

um, does Swinly read this?

I feel like I should say that Aadil leads the band. In the liner notes he is also credited with composing all but one of the songs. A lot of what is good about the band is to his credit, and a lot of stuff people take for granted. Like, er, the songs.

Indi – you are right… didn’t ad this part in coz it might have seem like it was too much info from me, but he is the leader of the band in every sense.. The band i don’t think can bond together as well as it has without him..he is the focus for the younger ones who can’t seem to concentrate on anything most of the time. No one else can control them the way he does. He coach’s them throughout each song and brings out the best in them, which is what a true leader does i guess. They were all inspired by his writing, so i guess he is the core of the BMB…and true, he needs to improve on his singing, paul jacobs has told him that, the media has as well and i guess we all know that (he hasn’t had proper training)..but i think he has come a long way since they started and is going to improve down the line.

Angela your comment that the band doesn’t need him fronting it seems fair enough but there are bigger things at work here, no one is perfect when they start of…the rest of the band’s competence will rub off on him soon and when energies connect good things tend to happen…

Hey,
Guys u monkeys r great.!!!I think u r the most wanted band in Sri Lanka

um, Well Im bit new to this .. er.. blog thing ,but got to say few things about this Brassmonkey band!
first I think they are bunch of Crazy , insane but simply briliant musicians…
I hope No one of has doubts about it… but heres my thoughts on their Music & somewhat Superb Launch Gig !

1) I Personaly Beleive The Lead Vocalist cum guitarist will soon be a Huge Problematic Factor , since These Guys Are going to acheive/Targeting the International Market… I think Its Realy The Perfect time for them to get a guy who can actualy Play guitars for real & sing at the same time ! Refer to Angela’s comment, I perfectly agree on it… its a very vital factor, if they are to go places…

2) Aa a Musician I love all the other True Musicians In the Band , beacuse havent seen such spirited young performers in local musical arena for such a long time….
The lead Female vocalist & key girl . swinly perera is truely amzing… the Superbly insane Brilliant Percussionist – Ravihansa Wetakepotha is a guy i longed to see in sri lanka for a long time… last but not least Anik Jayasekara – The Drummer ,, Simply Brilliant ! I think thes three music Forces are the Driven Force Of Their Music…
its sad to see , Not having a Good Male Vocalist destroys their full potential…. I feel Very Sorry for them then.

3) Finally About their music… It simply Rocks…
and for you aadhil – if you are seeing this.. I have Nothing against you or anything… its just what i feel man!
and i know lot of people who thinks the same way as … its just its perfectly ok you to be the lyrics writer , maybe the composer tooo . but certainly NOT the Lead Vocalist !

Dilshan ,This Whole Comment is for you to see & do something about it! Since You are their Manager.. let me know your thoughts…. & THIS IS OPEN TO ALL OF YOU WHO are INTRESTED !!!

May Monkey Spirit Lives On !

Jeramaya- WO WO hold up… I’m not their manager buddy!!! Was their former manager, left the country in Feb so i was replaced…Its a sensitive business this and let me stress again “FORMER MANAGER!” I did put Aadhil, Swinly, Anik and Oshan together in Feb last year but all of this is out of my hands now and its not my place to give them any advice anymore…Azhara is now their manager and i’m sure she will take good care of things in the future… I will keep away from the “replacing band members” conversation as he is a personal friends of mine and sensitivities are high…I guess i’ll purchase the album in June when I land in SL and take a listen to the tracks then, does everyone have the same opinion of his voice on the album as well? Would like to know…

There is one thing I’d like to add about the criticism (constructive and otherwise) that local bands receive and that is that a lot of it is tehnical. For some genres of music, technical excellence is over-rated IMHO. Bob Dylan doesn’t have the greatest voice in the world and Keith Richards isn’t the most technically skilled guitar player, but their greatness as musicians lies in the whole package they bring. I know these are examples from the cream of the crop, but the principle holds true. In rock, sometimes it’s OK to sound a little ragged and loose. This is particularly in reference to Stigmata, I’m not sure if it’s valid to whatever BMB plays.

Az is managing??!! (Shanaka picks himself up off the floor where he landed on receipt of this news with emotions which are jumble of hilarity, fear, dread and hopefulness). Dear God.

Mate I think we are all being a bit too hard on Adil in particular and the band in general. They are easily the most listenable band around. Regardless of the fact that Kakuts and Stiggy are very good musically. My comments were fuelled by a sense of foreboreding and nothing else. If Adil gets complacent the band is buggered. But as long he realises the need to improve and is willing to work on it hats off to him. The last time I met him he wasn’t an arrogant prick (like some of us…hee). He’s a smart boy and I hope he remains that way. In retrospect it’s unlikely that he is going to let a bit of fame and appreciation lull him into apathy, or let the band do the same.

Jeramaya what’s with the Title Case man??

Since I’m the only bidder – don’t I bloody get the goods goddamit??!!

ahem ! Sorry dude ! thousand Applogies… er… I honoustly didnt know you were replaced from Been the manager ! anyways, my openion is the same… I realy realy think Either Aaadhil should stick to the composer/lyricist post or just do the guitars thing… this is my view buddy! cant help it… just what i feel when i hear them… conversation is open. thanks for you comment Dilshan..

Hey Dilshan ! Thanx for u r comment on my views… Ive been busy , caught up with my studies 4 ALs .. well
I got to tell ya that ,i recently got to know that you are the reason the band met at the first place!..
well , you have been the man behind the curtains , r nt u ? anyway, what do you do in Melbourne ? got many many freinds of mine studying there! places like RMIT, Monash etc..

and Ive seen a Pop Ad about A WOMAD kinda Musical Festival in Melbourne ? are monkeys Perfoming there ?
just curious , since u r there ?

cheers

ahh! its not in Melbourne… its happening in Adelaide i think… its Called WOMAdelaide…
Do ya know anything about it D ?

Hey Shanaka ! didnt see your thing man… anyways, Im not Having the greatest time Blasting at aadhil man! its just XXXXXXX…. cant say da same thing.. just read, what i told Dilshan About… anyways, Could you be more specific , on what do you mean by ,

“what’s with the Title Case man??
Since I’m the only bidder – don’t I bloody get the goods goddamit??!! ” – Refference TO Your Message !!!

anyways, update me on my comment!

Hi Fellas!
Im Dinusha all the way from canada . great to write to a SL Blog ! when im simply thrilled to c my school pal Ravihansa in The BMB…. Im Now in Canada.. me & my family Migrated here in 2004…
I Want to Give A Short Background Info On Him.. which im dying to do… Cuz I saw Celina asked Dilshan K about His Bio…..

Well,We used to play Violin at D.S.S.C Orchestra and Ravi Was Our Regular Tablist/Percussionist/Drummer for 7 long years… We did the craziest things As possible.. he is a Remarkable musician.. (A good Pc Programmer too!)
sum of crazy stuff to mention , He (we) mixed shaggys it Wasnt me with SL drums & Some Dj Got the Idea & bugger did it with His Console Then!

also We did a My heart will go on – Ethnic Baila Mix with sum Oreintal Percussions Involved!
man ! u throw any drum at him… he will play any every damn one of them! n dats his Especialty!..
Im Im Not Mistaken , I think He can Play around 15 – 20 Different World Drums & Percussion Instruments… that doesnt include many of his innovative world beat Effects… all Nuuty stuff Dude !

in 2001 he was taken to National Orchestra as a tablist/Percussion, Which i was included too as a violinist..
also he won Best Beat Accompaniyan at the All island Music Competition twice……

Me , Ravihansa , Thil (Kapila) , Shehan s, Shehan Pieris , Adeesha , Sithum Formed PARADOX the Fusion Instrumental-Experimental Band , which solely concentrated on Mixing Eastern-African-Western Music with Local Folk Genres… It was a great success.. in 2003 we won Best Instrumental Band Award at The Talent Search (School Grammys!!)

This is where I had to leave all behind & to Canada in Jan 2004 , with my folks… I now Play as the principal Cellist at Winston Chirchill Orchestra – Based in Ontario (Not the Violin) …

I heard the news about PARADOX Desolvement in June 2004 … I was Shocked cuz it was too Good band to get dessolved ! after sometime , Ravi told me something about Joining BMB since he has met up with swinly & all the guys there wanted him Inside the band, after seen his Percussive Skills !
I Now understand Why He Joined The Brass monkey Band !

well , thats it Celina … hope you got a brief Idea about Ravi… this is Not all , certainly Not…
I dont wanna write more , cuz he might get pissed with me, since he doesnt like to be da news in da town !

k den feel free to ask me any thingy , in the future !

Cheers!

I agree with most of what has been said about Aadhil’s vocals, but here are a few things that hit me at the concert last Saturday:

1. Aadhil has very good leadership qualities and he and the other band members seem comfortable with him in this role.
2. He conducts the whole performance, which is important, I guess, because their music feels like a fluid jam session.
3. As Dilshan said, he’s older and I feel he’s a lot more committed than the others and therefore, keeps the band together.
4. I think the vision and direction comes from him.
5. He’s intelligent (a freakin’ doctor for heaven’s sake) and understands how to get things done in the business.
6. The band has outstanding stage presence (read “banter”) and a lot of that comes from him.

I don’t know the above for a fact – only met him a couple of times – but I feel it to be true.

wow this is really awesome, i had no idea so many people would take to talk about the brass monkey band. ok i’ve known these guys just for a few months and the priviledged producer of the album. firstly thank you all for your comments, it opens my eyes and ears to the peoples view of the monkeys !
if i have anything to say it would be that i had the ride of my life working with these guys, it was really amazing to find a bunch of enthusiastic youngsters trying to be themselves rather than ape the west.
we are constantly trying to improve the band to be able to take this idea to the international market, so any comments and criticisms would defnitely help.
i’m from india and travelled a bit in europe as well as worked with some renowned world music artists, this for me was the most fun! my personal belief is that for far too long we in this region have been assaulted by western popular culture to the extent that we even have to evaluate our art by their standards, here’s a band that is seriously trying to change that, please give them a hand !

Celina- Hi, yeah I did bring them together…It was my idea that they all started jamming and i guess i made it happen. I went to a concert at Bishops early last year and watched swinly perform “summer time”. The minute i heard her I thought of Aadhil who was struggling to voice his lyrics at the time…Anik in the mean time worked with me at JWT and was telling me that he needed to jam as well. So i arranged for a day that we could all meet and i took them both to swinly’s place after chat’n to her parents…Oshan, came over after wanted to play guitar, we asked him to bring the cello instead…The kids were inspired by Aadhil’s writing and he in turn loved what they did to his tune and lyrics..We never looked back since…
No i won’t be involved with the band any further, its not my place to interfere… Heck the band hasn’t even offered me a complementary album so far, which i put so much effort into..anyways…

Shana – relax, she is doing a good job already…Will put together another band soon so that you can get those VIP passes again, which i think is your biggest concern yeah?..he he..
Celina-I’m doing business and will be in Oz till December this year…I finished my business degree 4 years ago so i guess its very unlikely that i know any of your friends…

This is hilarious. Celina is hitting on Dilshan via a blog site. DK you are the MAN!!

J Buddy you are right in your ‘pro’ column about Aadil. I’m afraid some very relevant fears that I voiced in a somewhat seminal to this discussion post has degenerated into a session of Aadil bashing. This was never the intention. And Aadil if you’re reading this…I don’t know what to say.

He is a great showman, a good entertainer and an interesting bugger. He is after all a direct descendant of Shibly and sibling of Afdhel. Both cracking buggers. His vocals aren’t bad. Honestly. They just could improve. And as I keep saying as long as he realises this and works on it there is very little to worry about.

Paul thanks for your input mate. Yes – we need a band that redefines what English music is to this region. A band with a unique almost indigenous identity and while several SL bands are very good at what they do I think BMB are the ones with the best potential of filling this glaring void. What encourages me most is that nobody (credible that is) like DK, or Paul – who have been involved with the band – are coming forward and saying ‘they’re brilliant, piss off’

Zat, as my German friend Phillip would say, is gut.

Celina- I do apologize for my oldest friend’s hasty conclusions, the man has a habit of thinking that every girl that talks to me hits on me, which is truly not the case…
All – I think this is what it all boils down to… the band is truly comfortable with who they are..They are not a pretentious bunch who walk around in black leather jackets thinking they are god’s gift to the SL public. They like to get their hands dirty, get down to the core of things and make music the winner at the end of it all…No “pada show” is the term i’m looking for i think. Too many bands think no end of themselves, the very few that worship music are the ones that will survive at the end of the day..

yes shanaka my apologies for not saying that, they are absolutely brilliant ! all of them and dilshan thanks for everything, i’ll make sure you get your copy you deserve much more than that ! keep up the great work

Hey Dilshan,
I’m one of the best buddies of Mr.Ravi’s.What do u think about him??I mean while we r having discussions about the brass monkeys he always mentions your name.I think he really misses your management..

Hi Thilina,
I think he is what completed the band, an absolute genius on the tabla and congos..I remember the first day Ravi came and sat down at our barefoot gig and said man i want to join this band… He puts a lot or thought in to his playing and everything he does is natural.. Yeah, i did spoil him and took good care of him at all times, also played close attention to what excites him musically and did the best i can to see that he has a good time on stage..

Shanaka,
Yes, believe it or not i am the new Manager. Just relax. Everything is gonna be fine. No need to fall off chairs and all that.

Hi People !

Dilshan – Well….. No Isseues nor comments about “Shanakas conclusion on Me – Hitting on You”, err… I honoustly dont Know if I realy Sounded like that , but neway its kewl… DK, I Realy Apprreciate what you have done for the band & may b ill catch up with at the NExt BMB Gig (may b),who knows….

Dinusha – Hey! Thanx for sending your Overwhelming views on Ravihansa… I Truely think, he is some of those FEW Brilliante & talented Musicians in SL rightnow ! actually, its great to write to a School Colleague of his, & Kewl to know that You are doing music too !! hmm ! well.. tel me about yourself , Are you still studying Music or what ?

Hi guys !

Mr Paul Jacobs…

Heard lot of things about you… Im a True Brassmonkey Fan & a great wellwishertoo…
I got few Criticisms too. I only Put them ,cos I beleive the whole band can get some things outa them ..
anyway, Ive got few Questions For You…

1) what is your Comment On Aadhils Voice ?
2)In what frame would you put his Voice in ?
3) I Heard that You are a brilliant Music Producer … can you explain from your experience , will These monkeys be able acheive International Success , since they have lot of potential – cuz I believe THERE ARNT ANY THIS KINDA BAND WHO HAS GOT A INTERNATIONAL MASS BREAKTHROUGH !!!! ?

thats it… may b , these question are bit harsh.. but please tackle them for me…

Cheers

Sorry for not being more current. Thanks shanaka for the clarification. But have you heard the stiggies recently? They sound nothing short of awesome. Tenny I hear has had a bigger hand in the composing area and shys not to flex his muscles. (heard the acoustic version of Lucid?) lovely riffs. And reg_ I strongly disagree with your views on technicality. The Bob Dylans are few and far between. Pisses me off to see Richards in guitar magazines along with other real legends like steve ray Vaughn.. It’s not ok to sound loose for a band in the calbre of stigmata. I still worship zepplin, rush and pink floyd for their absolute brilliance. Your approach might have worked for nirvana.. but if Stigmata sounded any less tight I wouldn’t be such a fan. Stigs only care about making the best music they can- they don’t really seem to be bothered about expanding their fan base. But it’s working. Who would’ve thought 5 years ago that you can sell 5000 copies of a metal album in SL. Progressive metal at that. For the record, I like the BMB for what they are capable of technically- although I don’t quite dig their music. More the reason why adhil should try and improve on his technique.
Anyone into Indian bands like Indus Creep, Acquired funk syndrome???

Oh shanaka- listen to the new stiggie track called ‘my malice’. The vocals.. oh my god the vocals. And yes. Andrew does you proud with some divine guitar work.

Going back to the political Indie Saga.., i think Anil is the best thing that happened to the music industry – next to Celine Dion…The prick had a f***** nerve to pull off a Vedder– Those who weren’t their at the Rock Sat @nd anniversary.. he tried sing ‘better man’.. mother ******* !!!! Paranoid earthling and Stigmata had to do a shit load for that night to get that taste off my mouth..

Hallow Angy !!!

uh.. U r a Slangy Creature r nt ya !
huh ! & by da way who told you taht Stigs sold 5000 Copies heh ?
5000 my foot heh !
and by da way they r n t expanding cuz there is a ****** Death metal Group in US called StigMATA… just search the word Stigmata in google or Yahoo , mayb in Askjeeves too. u l c girl….
thats why … pitty , they cant go for the International scene ! heh ..

sreehc !

Hallow Again !

what im saying is that, The name is there dudes !
so you cant go beyond SL i think !

sreehc !

The BMB Launch GIG Pictures are at

http://photos.paraffinpuppet.net/?album=Brass_Monkey_Band

Check Dem Out Pipals !

bye

G man – your post is nothing short of literary genius. Furthermore your astounding knowledge of search engines has me floundering to keep up. Be one with me O Thou Pinnacle of Humanity.

Angela – will you marry me?

Dude, Shanaka, you really must stop propositioning all commentors with female sounding names. It’s beginning to .. reek of desperation. No, don’t speculate on how I recognize the symptoms, thank you very much :)

Machan I’ve been away from home for 8 months now. I can’t afford to buy the white birds drinks in order to hit on them. Give a man a break…

There’s a metal band (or so) in India called Stigmata.. big fat hairy deal.. They printed 5000 copies and they are sold out.. hey.. Anil Claimed that they sold 7000 copies.. that was nice. i don’t care if stigs sold anything at all. they don’t need to lie when they can play like the way they do. sorry about the profanity.. i don’t use them much when fuckwits like Anil aren’t involved.. (since you want to marry me- wont mind me borrowing your words now, do you shanaka??)

let me think.. only if we can adopt Tenny as our son..

hey, no one’s really heard Indus Creep and Acquired funk syndrome???? No indian music??

Angela, not disputing for a minute that in a one on one guitar play off SRV would whup Keith Richards’s ass (which doesn’t mean KR wasn’t great, just that SRV was exceptional); and if Stiggies guitar virtuosos enhance your enjoyment of them good for you. I’m a huge fan and go watch them whenever I’m in SL, despite being one the oldest people in the audience. My point was that I think for some bands focusing on the need for technical excellence is unnecessary and wrong.

This is especially true for rock bands where one is looking at the whole package. To get back to the comparison you made, KR played on, and helped create, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, Beggars Banquet and Exile on Main Street just to name four albums. SRV, technical master though he was, had some exceptional albums but nothing remotely in the same league; this is equally true of individual songs obviously. Would these albums have been better if KR was as good a player as SRV? I’m not sure, but I think not. I suspect that with the anarchic, dissolute blues-rock that the Stones were trying to create, technical virtuosity was not the point. Have you heard Exile on Main Street for example, an often-cited contender for ‘greatest album of all time’? The production is almost willfully murky and dense and it is all the better for it.

Just had a massive documentary on Channel 4 here and the winner of best album of all time was Open Computer. So there really is no accounting for taste. And that is the fundametal point on which Reg and Angela differ. No?

Ok Computer ! OK Computer!!. I’ll be charitable and assume that was an unfortunate typo on your part :)

Actually I suspect we have fairly similar tastes but differ on a few key aspects, i.e. we both like Stiggie but this stems from different aspects of their skills as a band. It’s hardly worth an argument though, however civilized and erudite. OT – I’d rate OK Computer very highly but placing at #1 was just silly.

Was fundametal a pun of sorts or another typo?

Wow. This is profound stuff. No really. Highly enlightening and should be made recommended reading to a sophomore undergrad at Berkeley. While we wait for Angela’s response, let me please butt in. I have to confess reg that I’m yet to hear a stones album in its entirety and wouldn’t pretend to know too much about the band. The only stones material I own is 40 licks and I know only too well that a greatest hits compilation is no way a sampler for how good a band might really sound. I, however watched them live at rose bowl and I’m the kind that thinks that a band is as good as their live sound. Sure they made anthems. But Reg, what truly sets out an anthem from a well composed song is how well it carries to the masses. For a song to reach the masses, technical/ lyrical complexity is truly injurious. I’m truly still surprised at the mainstream success of ‘stairway to heavan’ or GnR’s ‘November rain’. How the albums like NIN’s ‘downward spiral’ or Tool’s ‘Lateralus’ were such hits.

SRV to Keith Richards would be Dream Theatre to Nirvana. Ther are not directly comparable artists. Cobain was reflective opium to the masses- and there is no denying the contribution he made to the industry. Dream theatre may never make music that is accessible to the average buyer of music who switches between linkin park and spice girls depending on the flavour of the week. But they are one of the very few bands that dare stretch the envelope of an already great genre with such finesse. I’m straying from the topic. The debate still remains. I would agree with reg as dream theatre or tool would never move the masses the way Nirvana or the Stones did. The ‘alternative press’, one of my most respected music magazine named ‘nevermind’ the best album of the 20th century. So did Billboard. (Tho i like radiohead, putting ok computer on top of the world sucked) But if you are looking at the accessibility to the masses, you might as well name “Parliament Jokes`’ the best Sinhala movie. Like Shanaka clearly stated, there’s just no accounting here.

Keep this up ladies and gentlemen. Awesome stuff. Thanks for the insight on the stones reg. Closing thoughts, a second prop for the awesome stiggies. They truly rock.

My hand is up and my face is flushed. Dashed that off as I was leaving to the library. Head not quite in the place where it should have been. My apologies. At least everyone knew what I was talking about. Yes, I’ve read that Nevermind was rated the highest as well. Which I am more comfortable with. You forget that this was Channel 4 in the UK. Not exactly the best yardstick by any means.

Nikita – the success of the tracks you mentioned despite not being commercially tailored was largely due to the time in which they were penned. GNR apart of course. Unfortunately the lifespan of tracks also have to be taken into account as GNR and even Nirvana have been acculturated by the Colombo yobs and now you find greasy buggers in oversized shirts and more jewellery than their fat girlfriends jumping up and down to Smells Like Teen Spirit. It’s a sad story but sometimes great tracks are also prostituted.

I digress. Musical complexity and depth generally don’t by themselves make for a great band. It’s location does. And I don’t mean geographical.

heh, I once got up and stalked out of Cascades because they played Smell Like Teen Spirit and I couldn’t stand seeing all the prats there trying to ‘dance’ to it. Admittedly I was very drunk, but still…

Nikita I think I agree with some of what you say, but on a final note I want to make this point about my definition of greatness, as I thought this was a little patronizing to some of the bands mentioned and their fans – ‘what truly sets out an anthem from a well composed song is how well it carries to the masses. For a song to reach the masses, technical/ lyrical complexity is truly injurious.’.

It involves a multitude of factors beyond the technical complexity or otherwise of the music and perhaps this does tie in with some of what Shanaka wrote . Again, to use of the bands referenced – The Stones played Altamont, Nirvana killed off hair metal AND managed to replace Michael Jackson’s Dangerous as #1 on the charts. These aren’t just significant moments in popular music, they represent profound shifts in the popular culture (the death of the ’60s/ the move into the angst of the ’90s). To be available and able to capture these moments so profoundly is not just a case of good timing, it’s a sign of a band chanelling something deeper. The zeitgeist of the age of the age perhaps, if you’ll forgive the pomposity. With all respect to the other bands mentioned (and others like the brilliant Pixies, who Kurt Cobain admitted borrowing heavily from), I don’t care how complex or adroit their music was, they didn’t have that in them.

Aiyo.. where is Angie??? Oye Shanaka, where is she, and what have you done with her?

Cobain brought honesty into the haughty, make up smeared rock n roll industry. People who were sick of poofters like Poison and Warrant really found something that they could call their own. Sorry reg, despite your continuous efforts to educate me on the social impact of the Stones, I still can’t keep them too far from the list I mentioned above. But I will listen to altamont and exile on main st for you. But this argument is going nowhere. The musicians I listen to never compromise their sound. Starting from Emerson, lake and Palmer, Led Zepplin, Crosby Stills and Nash, Rush, to Dream theatre, Death, Nine inch Nails and Tool. At times they sold in the bucket load, and at others-didn’t. What matteres here is the musical consistency. Take any album from any of these bands and try to name a filler. I dare you to. Each song is paid thorough attention in the making.

Angela, I’ve heard one ‘Acquired funk syndrome’ song in the ‘great Indian rock’ CD. That was the most impressive out of the lot- but sorry… nowhere near our bands. Being the big stigmata fan- you might probably agree.

Once again Nikita and Reg – your differences are based on individual taste and try as you might to arrive at a common unit to measure the greatness of a band personality (the possession of one), alone brings to many variables into the equation. The fact that you agree on some bands merely enhances their status of being great, but it doesn’t make them any ‘greater’ than any of the musicians you disagree about. For me the The Beatles and Led Zeppelin birthed the demon that is rock and roll, while Nirvana resuscitated a dying beast after the horrors of the ’80 s. But once again – nothing but a matter of taste as several SL live and die by the 1980′s.

My argument about location Reg is one you may have misconstrued slightly as it does in fact tie in with your point. By location I don’t mean a physical one. The time in which the band is writing, the ability of the band to capture the worldview of their generation, and their ability to relate to the people buying the records are all ingredients in the pot I conveniently choose to call ‘location’.

Went for Santana’s Supernatural concert some years ago and at 22 was easily one of the youngest (by far) members of the audience. Despite his musical genius he could not relate to the modern pop generation. Like Lot’s wife – he is crystallised in musical space and time.

The Brass Monkey Band may just be located in the right place to harness the frustration of the discerning members of the SL music fraternity (all 12 of them). Who knows?

Nikita I don’t know where Angie is. I may have scared her off with my proposition. Explains why women never talk to me in bars. Goddam.

Now i’m depressed. either you scared her off or she’s depressed since no one else is willing to talk bout indian music. Nah she’s probably chatting on the phone with Anil…. Her undiluted love for Anil amuses me. Hey Shanaka, that’s something the two of you have in common.

Funny. I remember her chatting to Anil on his ‘spinning unrest’ radio show. She smashed him to smithereens ON AIR on his claims on how indie sold 5000 copies of their 2nd album. Poor bugger probably needed the services of a proctologist to find his head afterwards. –

Hello People !

NOW NOW

CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE “THE BRASS MONKEY BAND ” nOW PLEASE !

I havent got rplied by Paul Jacobs & these new ladies carrying the nice discussion into a Sex Discussion.

PLZ STOP IT Girlieees !

paul, reply my last questions , please….

fat hopes shanaka, you don’t scare me. don’t think i haven’t had that before?? Thanks niki.. for saving me. i couldn’t have put it beter my self. nice. i think however you managed to bring this whole forum to a halt bringing nine inch nails and even death into this equation and happened to upset this nice gentleman here. and no mr Joachim, nine inch nails are NOT a sex toy:-) mistake no 2.. niki is a guy.

i enjoyed this. Thanks reg for your input. hey, why not the siggie fans meet up somehwre seperate if thats facilitated.. we can discuss NIN, dream theater, skidrow and shanaka’s dry run with women..

Joachim, people can discuss pretty much whatever they want. Sex discussions are especially welcome.

Shanaka: Please consider using an pseudonym. You realise: a search of your name on google brings up a load of shit?

Might give you a headache later on.

this is too hilarious. ALL these comments. wow. you are one bunch of sidetracked people. :) what’s a girl to say? looks like its all been said. anyway, swinly is hot. hands OFF shanaka. MINE. mine, you hear? and aadhil, whatever he may be, cannot sing. its simple. there are loads of bands in which the ‘leader’ isnt the lead vocalist. he can continue to be the strong front, but cease to be the lead vocalist and let swin just handle that. PLEEEEEEEEASE?

BRAVO E L E C T R A !!!!

Thnx For Putting Your Intelligent Thoughts onto this!
Finally I Got Someone to Back Me Up , On Commenting about The Bands – Disasteres (Ooops- Did I Spelt it right ?) Vocalist !
Mr Aadhil Azees..

Cuz , I think Pretty much the same thing. He Should NOT Sing . Cuz Simply He CANT !
I Empathizes Him , But … U cant be serious Telling this guy to Sing in this International Arena, Now Can you !
Wooosh. There it goes , The WHOLE BANDS – INTERNATIONAL MASS MARKET DREAM !

anyway. Dilshan – I know You Cant Criticize Much On Mr Azees , since you are his buddy , i guess.

but giving ” He had No Vocal Practice ” is certainly NOT a Pretty good , Sane Answer my freind.
cuz its simply Hilarious….

Like I said , there are plenty of guys , out there who can SING Properly & Blend with BMB Style…
I think the whole band WILL HAVE To look deep into this matter , people…

Please , Let Us Build On this…

Electra – please Talk

p.s – Swinly is Hot… since she is the only girl ( Or… WOMAN) in the band. In real, shes just Ordinary… he ha

Anyways, Keep Chatting about this much Hyped Band ….

Cheerio !

Hallow Dawgz !!

neone going 4 da -> PARANOID EARTHLING & STIGMATA – Clash of titans ? he he eh eh ehe ehe ehe eee
me going to this Joke show ! on 21st of March , Near Lional Wendt…

Let me know , Jokez, I Need Companionship…

Angie – Howww about you nasty ?
Electra – (Carmen) u coming..

I llllloooovvvveeee to hang with you, sexy beings.

let me know asap.. my number is 0773242055 – call me ric
by da way, indi u deleted my last Unsensord comment on swinly . sorry for that bro !
plz put this wilya??? plz plz plz …

My Name is Ricky Gaminda Manilgoda. In short G Man.

Halliens Arrived !

creehs !

Adoh Indi !

why are supporting these LTTE Helpers , u bugger? dony you know that Tharaki is a LTTE Dkhead !

RIGHT!

Due to the current degeneration of posts…Shanaka has left the building. That’s ‘degeneration’ Jeramaya, look it up.

Drunken Sinhala Dude: Taraki wasn’t in the Brass Monkey Band

G-Man: That comment is so ridiculous as to be a work of art in itself. Did you just give out your phone number on a blog?

I’ll close this thread when there’s nothing but panting and grunting. Should be soon.

sophist is shanaka? shaaa….

man, indi, you really attract the weirdos. anyway, whats the point? celina and dilshan probably arent getting it on, probably no one is going to call/sms G man, and their probably not going to fire aadhil from being the lead vocalist.

sigh. atleast shanaka decided to get a mildly cool pseudonym.

ps – how the fuck did that sinhala dude get on THIS post? what is this world coming to?!

dear jeramaya joachim,
firstly my sincere apologies for the delay, we have been a bit busy working on the brass monkey video and a website where all of these comments would be addressed as well.

to begin with i think the brass monkey band is a revolution of sorts cause it’s a very unique combination of people and sounds as well, to top it all the song writing is great. very few bands from this region including south east asia have managed this, so that answers a lot.

the question about aadhils voice, well honestly at this point it is being pulled apart mainly because it lacks a sense of individuality, i have also discussed this with aadhil and we’re seriously working on it. to tell you the truth as a producer it is my job to take the blame for putting it out the way it is, but a larger truth is that neither did elvis, jim morrison, curt cobain or bob dylan have great voices, in fact from a musical point of view they’re disastrous. the reason why they stood out even though they sang so badly was because they believed in what they sang and made sure every word got to the audience in the most passionate way, which is really what aadhil needs to work on. the criticism of aadhil’s voice may be fair when compared to the rest of the world but definitely not valid for asia! it needs work but it is definitely not beyond repair, what could be a better approach is to give aadhil some constructive criticism coupled with some praise towards his song writing, cause it’s really something that makes the band who they are.

about the international potential of the band i think it’s very evident from the reactions that this band has it, it’s upto the support they recieve to take them to the international market. most known international acts have basically good marketing teams behind them, there are loads and loads of kicking acts that never make it mainly cos they’re not connected. so this band is really going to need a lot of local support to begin with before they move to greater things and we’re working really hard at this at the moment. fortunately the maharajas have been extremely supportive so it makes things a bit easier, but there’s still loads of work to be done on the marketing front, any ideas would be welcome cos i’m still getting a grip on the sri lankan market.

you could also write to me temporarily at paul@bodhimuzzik.com untill the brass monkey site gets underway.

keep the queries coming

paul

eeeeeeeeeeeeeyaaaaaaaaaaa! i just noticed i was addressed in G man’s comment! HELP! hyper ventilation. heart attack. iroms HAS to hear about this! :)

horrible. when i decided to be ‘electra’, i always prayed and hoped that the first thing everyone thought of when they heard the name would NOT be the slut from baywatch, carmen electra. (cool cat eyes she’s got though, and great bod) i hoped that i wouldnt spend a lifetime blogging being associated with some no brainer super model. i just prayed, (was it too much to ask?) that eventually, people would read up on their greek history and learn about the electra i wanted to them to think of when they heard the name. sigh. what a sad life i lead. the only date i got asked on is over indi’s blog, by some strange dude who calls himself the G man, who cant string two words together without sounding like he got lost between an ill noize concert and majestic city, who thinks i call myself electra because i like carmen electra, and maybe is wishful that i look something like her.

show me the door. or give me a gun.

Sri lankans: hate originality, hate copycats… So what exactly does it for us? We must not forget that Sri Lanka’s English music industry (if it could be refferred to as such) is tiny and confined to Colombo & maybe Kandy. How many people regularly go out just to watch bands? We can criticise the world but at whose expense? Why can’t we see beyond the technicalities and enjoy the bands for what they are and what they’re trying to achieve? The bands in Sri Lanka are not the greatest but you have to be proud of what they do. Sure they do deserve criticism, but i’d like to see you up there with a guitar and a mic infront of you before the dictator in you decrees who should play and who shouldn’t. Believe me there is a positive side.

We’ve never had a band thats been perfect. So are we comparing bmb to the international music industry by criticising them so much? Come to think of it that must be a good thing. As a whole they create magic. If that doesn’t do it for you, don’t go for their gigs coz it aint your taste. Another Sri Lankan mistake. Gigs aren’t a social event. Go for the stuff you only really like. Once there try and enjoy what you see and hear and you might just have fun. After all we are never gonna have a Dave Matthews Band or Eddie Vedder in Sri Lanka.

I did see some comments that Aadhil cannot play guitar. Could i invite those critics for a bit of a jam session? Tell you what bring any instrument you play, and let’s make it public? Let’s see the sa-ri-ga-ma musician in you. Have you heard the riffs the band plays? If he can’t play, how in the world did he compose those riffs? And you say he can’t sing? Since we’ve been talking about stigmata and indie square alot can you remember the time that Suresh couldn’t sing? Anil still can’t sing. Yet why can’t we respect the few of us who try to be original for we don’t even respect those who play covers (except for Kreb’s Cycle). It is true that Aadhil may not have the greatest voice in the world but the reason we can’t see beyond that is because we want them to go places. Again that definitely is a compliment to the band. But before they go places can’t we just support them? That’s all our tiny music industry needs! Stop being racist to our own kind!

As for the genre, i respect musicians who play the music that they like and the way they want, not ones driven by stereotype. Therefore, rock on monkeys! Shut up donkeys!

Hey Pipals !

[ TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN ]

Of Course , First Of Let Me Remind You , You(You Know Im Talking to ya! ) Are Just a Vague RANDOM COMMENTER On the blogs… just like me.
there is A intresting saying in our Primary Kid Books , that when you point (or blast) 1 Finger at someone , there is 4 , at least 3 at your way…

Uh !!! theres A another One , where A DONKEY WORN A LIONS DEAD SKIN & Try to pretend Like a LION KING , & ENDED UP SCREAMING LIKE A DONKEY , then Got ITself Killed by REAL LIONS … Check your Year One , Eesop Books, To referesh yourself ! So we shall Never Forget To UN-Reveal Our True Self , Now Dont we “_ _ _ _ _ ” ?

Mayb this apply to me too. but I try hard to Getaway from it, which you dont have to Worry Immensly About !

Now what we had was A nice discussion on
I dunno Who you are , wht you do or anything…

What I Honoustly Wanted to show , was that How Mr Aadhil Azeezz Voice Doest In Sync with the whole band…
I said All other Musicians Are great ! I have Never , Ever Let down Any “Musicians” In this Capable Band…
Ive always Admired the Works Of Anik , Ravihansa & Swinly ….. cuz I know , they are true Musicians , who tries hard to keep the good work up.

I only crticize Aadhils Voice. cuz I truely does not admire it . & Ive been telling it since the beginnig of this Intresting Blog.
I AINT a Random , Nobody Commenter…. Like You my friend !

since the begining many people had this discussion goin on about , how this bands gonna Progress & what are their weaknesses.namely Angela , Electra , Me & few misc guys. well Nobody can stop Us from doing , that until our dearest Indi is there ….

Well, this is Gone great! Now we got Mr Paul Jacobs Joining in From India whos talking about this Issue… Dilshan ,the former manager joined up… Hopefully may be some band members joining in tooo… cuz thats the biggest Disad.

so Get this straight Bro !

I (We ) Beleive in this Band. Love their Works. We simply JUST dont want them to ruin
their Career , Goals by havin the WROng person to do the Most Important job…

Its just not fair to them then. I beleive aadhils lyrics.I beleive in his melodies for sure….wel may be in guitars tooo…
But Surely NOT his Voice… I know his trying hard to Get it Improved. its good. but I guess its gonna take some time init ?
I simply dont know whther this band has that time, cos that a lot of need to be DONE there !
Im sure This Band Need to work on things lil fasterrrr !

Im Not Biased to anyone , But You sure sounding that mate !
Please Just dont Make the “Whole Band thing Alibi to vouch for Aadhil Okay ” ! cuz thats Insane & its Sick , when you just do it ! be manly enough to just , get this over with in aGentlemenly Way … got it mate ?

Anyways, I Know this For Sure.
Just with Or Without Aadhil – THE MONKEYS WILL R.O.C.K ! thats where I Bet !
Finaly , I lost My Keys – where are they !

OPEN 4 Everyone …

thanx Indi for keeping this goin ! U rock !

Cheers.

Hey Guys !

Ooops ! looks like Ive missed a lot down here ? arnt I ?

so whats this whole “Blasting at each other scene “?
and who the He ll is er… rr.r.r G MAN (as in Half life 2 : sis it ?) ….

I Only have one thing to say , BMB sound realy great on Radio . just heard it & thought to put up my comment on it !

bye guys , Back to work….

cheers !

Way to go Aftab !!! I think you hit the nail on the head. Unless we start supporting our own bands, we can’t expect anyone in the international music industry to do so either. Critisisms always great, but support is even more so. Monkeys rock, full stop. :)

Hallllllowwww !

electra – I love you . but you still didnt call me. im waiting sweeeeetoooo !
Angie – I luv u to. same , Exact , pinPoint accurate / Same amount with Electra…

we shud get together back some time & talk or mingel u c !!!!!!! heh he ehe hehheh ( Im Laughing ! )

Adeh !!!! Jeeomaya I love your long , Butt-kicking blast at new comer , gangster Aftel.

Monkeys R(su)Ocks.

sreehc !

Hey Iromi !

IROMI !

plaese Read My Comment , Right after Aftabs… I think you are being Unfair thats why .
do send me some commets in too.. you are ost welcome !

thanx .

cheers / Pulstop…. I guess

For fuck’s sake!

Yep ! I n d e e e e d !

Correction !
Yep ! I n d e e e e d ! agree with you ” Sop” er…. whtever !

i agree with many people on many different things here.

i agree with af : we have to support local musical talent, otherwise it simply will not flourish, here nor anywhere else. also, music is something that depends on individual taste, so trashing the monkeys because they just dont cut it or YOU is immature and futile, because at the end of the day, there are a lot of people moneky’s DO cut it for.

i agree with iroms : the monkeys rock.

i agree with jeramaya : aadhil may indeed be a good leader and a good musician, song writer and guitarist, but he is simply not a good vocalist, and im only saying this because i think i know SOMETHING (little as it is) about singing. i do not think that either or suresh or anil can sing anyway, by the way. aadhil not being vocalist shouldnt be an ‘issue’ to the band. if they want to expand their horizons and target various types of audience, and if they know whats good for them, they should just stick to swinly or find a new male vocalist to sing with her. me condemning aadhil’s voice was not an equivalent of me condemning aadhil’s skills as a leader of the band, a musician or a song writer.

i agree with sophist : for fuck’s sake!

Oh geez electra’s being hit on by someone names G-man !!! Niiiiiiiiice.

Somehow everyone debating back n forth bout Aadhil is getting kinda old so will not pursue it any longer but just wanted to add a comment to

” Anyways, I Know this For Sure.
Just with Or Without Aadhil – THE MONKEYS WILL R.O.C.K ! thats where I Bet !”

I don’t think Aadhil is great but I don’t think that the monkeys will rock without Aadhil. Just like they won’t without Anik or Swinley etc etc. Monkeys are great cos they come as a whole package. And Aadhil is an important part of it. Vocals or not. But hey i’m gonna think positive and think that he’s gonna get better or his vocals r just gonna blend in with the monkey music.

Hmmm. Interesting. I have little to add to the current tributary as I have had my say already. G man, just a suggestion, no offense, but just a suggestion. Since you have been an avid contributor to this discussion on the SL contemporary music scene, and your amazingly insightful input was greatly appreciated by all of us.. and I mean all of us- I will give you a helpful suggestion. Why don’t you save the money that you will spend on the Stiggy/ earthling gig ticket, and buy yourself a blowjob? Stigs do not make music for desperate loser fucks like you.
If anyone (niki, reg, electra..) is able to make it to the gig, pls let me know how it went. Can you open another page for the Stigs fans Indi??

G man, I will call you, just hold your breath till that happens..

isn’t aadil a Dr..? i’m amazed he’s got the time to be in a band as well.. maybe they don’t work em hard enuf in cmb.. junior docs i mean..lol..
any BMB tracks on kazaa or limewire yet? :)

angela: if you want a Stigmata post email one to me. I’ve never seen or heard them, but it would be interesting.

aftab: I fully agree with you. Aadil is a vital part of the band. Hating on him in ALL CAPS just gives me a headache.

Hallo w ! It Is Me , Again…

Angela – Plz plz plz Dont hurt Me …. All I did was trying to get a grip babe… I know last night was hectic .. sorry !
Electra – plz plz plz dont harase me , it hurts so bad…

Man , this Pain… In pain..
Ho..w ha..r..d !
please f o r gi… ve girls…
I dont have a …………

please Continue… Mission Accomplished ! Ha hehe ehe eheh eeeehhh !!

G-Man, you have to start using complete sentences. I’d even settle for complete words. I read that poem above and it caused physical pain.

Hi Guys !

Im Ranil.. Bit new to the BMB Music… also to the blog… ( I got to Tel you Indi , Its Jolywell INTRESTING!)
let me tel you my story..

I heard the Monkey trailer for the Launch, But sadly I couldnt Make it.
three days back , I went to Vibration Dealer & Saw this Light Blue Cover . got to say it did catch my eye imeediatly.
I Brought it Home..

I think these guys are some of the most educated & Talented LIVE bands in Asia & Our Land rightnow…
cuz you see , every day we see Bands ( a Alternate word is NOT Poping Up to me , so …) come and go..
as soon as someone learns Three , Five Chords ,They start – Name it , ROCK Band , which plays some crazy Distristrotion music-defenitely NOT Rock ! the new cult is Hip-Pop… actualy ithink its the most easiest thing to do …
grab a PC , Install Software e-Jay, play few chords , get a sampler Beat !Mix It …
Whola !!! U have a New Chart -Topping Song…

its realy sad to say but this is the tradegy of the Musical Industry of Sri Lanka Now…
I see , Niggas in Roads these days & I wonder may b well have more niggas wearing full G unit kit THAN, USA by end of MAX Two years froM Now !!!

what is this insanity ?

That why I admire this Bunch of Monkeys… they PLAY What They RECORD… They arnt these “Wannabe ” Niggas Or Punk souls….
These guys are Unique , just Like their Music…

Just Imagine , who can Have Greatest Percusion Instrument Of Asia , Surely the Symbol Of Fusion -TABLA
with One Of the Greatest Western Classical String , CELLO !

thats where these guys are Unique….
they Promote Whats Ours & Whats Theirs…. as it is… and They PLay Like Hell !!!!!! The Album Rocks !

So Monkeys – Believe On Your selves… Dont Let Anyone Let down you…

Mr Paul Jacob – You are an Amazing Producer.. Please Bring up More Talents In SL , Like this…

Aadhil – Dont Worry too much about your Voice dude.. Im sure You will Improve it.. Just Ignore these Hectic Comments..

Anik – You are a Good Drummer ! Now tell me are you a Singer tooo !Wow hats great ! Love to see many of your Drum rolls !
and I beleive Ive seen you On TV Tooo… whz up with ads Man ?

Ravihansa – Are you An Indian, dude ? I think you are Amazing ! Love your work on Percussion Drums ! Man how many
Instruments Did(Can) you play ? NeXt time please mention the Instruments Name Feature in the Track please ! ……..Cuz For people like Us , its gonna be Helpfullin exploring the Sounds !! $$$

Swinly – Jeeez ! you Rock Girl ! Love your Work On Keys… Love your Tiny,tiny Small, Violin Part tooo. I think You should Help , Aadhil In Improving His Voice.. Im Sure He Will Do Good , After Few Lessons !

Oshan – Hey … I think you are realy good tooo. The Only Error You have is that , In few Parts You dont seem to In Sync with the Beats.. Watch your beat man ! he heeeee :-0 Anyway I think You can Surely Improve Too… Ive Been Livin In Austria , working Two Years & Ive seen some of the greateset Cellists.. what you do Is Good. Keep the Good work Up Man !

Dillan – Stuff Rocks Dude ! Good work On the Bass… Wanna See you On Stage tooo !

Phew Phew Phew! Okay… I guess Im Done with My Comment.. please gUys Do Send me some feedbacks..

Indi – Can I Have There Individual E-Mail Adresses Please…
Electra – How Old Are You ?
G man – Oi , Get Off from Electra !!! She is Kinda Cute on Commenting ! I lIke That !!
Jeramaya – Stop Your Blast at Aadhil !
Aftab – Man , Am I Fair In Commenting ! & by da way whz you view on Local Hip-pop Mania !!!

DO COMMENT People….

Cheers with Peace !

Hallow !

This PoEM Is Copyrighted To G MANia Inc. All Rights Reserved.
My Man Indi.This is For you brother …. I love You Man … We could realy work this thing … what do ya think ? /

Im In Pa..In ,Like MAx PAy..n.e..
I Like IT SLL..OO.W ..rEAL SLo..w..
I Lost…. Jeras keys… Where are They…
Im In paine… So.. So .. So Payn,…e..

RAP Part..

i luve moinkeys, I love them alll !
i luv tabla & swinlies & toes…
can i lick them ? sure you can licK them !
LicK them , Suck them & bath in her Bathe water yo !!!

I wannato do Anik.. cuz he is so GAY !
Uh..wait sec bro , I thought u were straight !
Im am a Bisexual.. letheal criminalistic of ballistic Idiot Policy !
sure I dont sound like – Idiot I know …
well, that What G is bout .. all I can Tell yooou !
I love indi,elctra & Angie plus Jera-Maya who love my Candy !

Uh! wait a sec thought he was Real…
Huh.. I guess , Everything in Here is REEL !

Yeppweeeeeee !!! AdoH! Indi I did it U & Fucker ! I love my Dic H ness !

Ladies, Demons & Bangs – do send in the Comments .. wil ya !!

Im Sure this time Halieens Have Surely Arrived !

SreehC !

Jeramaya- In reply to your comment…
“anyway. Dilshan – I know You Cant Criticize Much On Mr Azees , since you are his buddy , i guess.
but giving ” He had No Vocal Practice ” is certainly NOT a Pretty good , Sane Answer my freind.
cuz its simply Hilarious….”

I’m glad you find it hilarious, I don’t and I’m wondering if anyone else did feel the same? You have miss quoted me on this, I said “training” not “practice”, the difference between the 2 is that swinly’s voice has been proffessionally trained by a teacher, where as our friend Aadhil’s voice is raw, he hasn’t been trained as a kid and with enough practice it will improve. I’m a little confused as to what sane answers you werr expecting , a blog is supposed to cultivate insane ideas am i not right?

jesus indi, is there NO way that you can close this thread or something? this is getting a little much, even for me, and i’m far from normal. imagine all the NORMAL readers we mightve scared away. isnt it possible to keep people like G man off your blog? in the least? please? i’ll…i’ll…i’ll….buy you coffee? :) this is ridiculous. and the worst part being that, somehow, i cant stop leaving nasty, two bit comments on it either.

ranil – i’m old enough to know this is dumb, and young enough to still think its fun.

I can close comments. Will close if I anybody wants to second or third that. G-Man is periliously close to getting blocked, as trying to understand him gives me small aneurysms. I’m curious as to how Dilshan made a rational response.

Hallow ! Oooooops… Sorry

Hello !

I Will be a Good Boy , Starting From Now ! Sorry, But Im Deadly curious to Ask this…
“dis anyone find my Poem (rather a Rap / Raga sort of.. ) Intresting ?

Im sure Monkeys can get me Onstage Yo !

Monkeys Send the queries In Bros !

Hail Indi ! Hail Monkeys !

Nice G Man – Cheers !

Hey Amigos !

Good to c such lovely comments abt a Superb Local Gospel Band !
Nicceee :-)))
Can someone plz tell me , who is Afdel ?

Dear Indi,
thanks for keeping this blog on cos it’s really given me a big insight into the colombo music scene,
i have a few requests:

would it be alright to use some of these quotes on the brass monkey website?
how about some of the photos, they’re really great!
could i provide a link from the site to this blog cos i think it would be really honest?

and to the rest of you:

thanks for all the amazing input, it has really helped us get a plan of action together. watch out for the brass monkey website launching next week http://www.thebrassmonkeyband.com

and if anyone of you would like to get your comments on television we’re doing a documentary on the band bringing out both the positive and negative as well. could be shooting sometime between the 28th and 30th of may. do mail us at info@bodhimuzzik.com if you would be interested

& keep it going we love it

Thanks Paul, your bass playing is incredible by the way. Anything on or near this site is free for anyone to use or hack or change in any way they place. It would be nice to attribute the photos to Aingaran Pillai, who took most of them.

Paul the first few comments on this blog were about swinley’s bottom, sure you want to put up a link? hehe. But glad there will be a website soon, their music is very creative and just my sort. Listened to the album several times over and still not bored of it! Loads of potential, hope you can help guide them well. Unfortunately i can’t contribute anything in terms of musical know how bc i know not :) So just encouragement encouragement and more encouragement!

p.s. another i like about the band is the spontaneous nature of their performance. In the barefoot gig they suddenly started singing baila despite not knowing the words and in the british council thing they let that little kid on stage, touches like that are fantastic and should not be let go.

Indi thanks a ton,
will surely credit Aingaran Pillai on the wonderful photos

ddm: yes it would be great to have all comments as it would give the world a perspective that this region is not about beggars and bullock carts ! thanks for all the encouragement

indi- please forgive me for being a tech moron, and tell me how initiate a stigmata chatroom with your site.

Although beggars and bullock carts are a large part of our cultural identity. I think that’s a bloody brilliant idea for the next title track of the BMB album. This is copyrighted and I’ll sue your ass if you use it and don’t pay me. I’m a lawyer. I mean it.

Damn shana thats a bloody good idea for an album title! I think its sooo BMB, spot on…

Hey MonkeyLovers !

Im Dilukshan & Im Stuck In Canberra Oz , Finishing My Degree In Computer Engineering at ANU..

Im Damn Happy To Put up Comment in this Blog!
Just Heard Their Music… I Gotto tel you I Love These Crazy & Insane Monkeys ! For the first Time , I could Happily Show my pals in here , Look this is Our Music fellaz ! cuz its perfects Balanced & Not OverDone !
it has the Ethnic-Asian Touches plus Sophisticated Jazzy Western Influence… its Not Rock, Not Computer Generated Hip-pop – Its Just some Crazy Kick-ass SL Music , which we can say Truely from Sri Lanka/Asia !

I think they are some of the Most Gifted Musicians Ever Popd up in Sri lankas Contempory Music Scene !
there is so much individualty & Surprisingly Paradoxical Harmony in between the Guys…

I Particulary Like the Works of Percussion Drummer Ravihansa & Keyboardist Swinly Perera…
I have seen both of them Performing at Various Competitions while I was Out doing My ALs In SL…
Some Great Great Great Perfomanships Dudes!
But Hey , Never Thought These felaz will Perform in the same band-Together , after sum time yo !
thats sum crazy Coincidence right there !
anyways I just wanna to wish these guys all the best…
hah ! by da way , For their Information ,There is a Huge World Music Festival Happening In Adelaide (Just Three HOur Flight From Canberra , However ) called Womadelaide…
I think with a little effort Contacting Organizers , they can Surely Get in !!!

Good luck Machangs, in your Future Endeavors!

Your True fan

Dilukshan

For Fucks Sake !
Let us bring Peace to Sri Lanka Via BMB Songs !
Armen…

[...] eavoured to show you the other side of the coin in the most civil manner possible (14) Brass Monkey ShowIf you take your head out of the Plaza swimming pool my friend you will find a lot of [...]

Performanships a word now?

dilkushan: that’s just amazing, just what i’ve been waiting to hear for a long long time! anyways the thing with WOMAD is that they plan a year in advance cos they have many festivals around the world, so it may be difficult to get them on this years program, but will definitely get them on next years. WOMAD by the way is also having a festival in Sri Lanka this year which we are desperately trying to get the BMB on. thanks for all the comments, they really matter

sophist : i think you have cracked it! this is really something that is achievable if we could all work hard at it, woodstock brought an end to the vietnam war! so why not the BMB and all the others for Sri Lanka! i vote for that

keep it going guys!

Excuse me…this is the real Sophist. The comments of 21.05.2005 are not mine. Indi just wondering if you can verify by e mail address. Don’t want someone else giving you more ammunitioin than I already do.

fixed, above

Ruwani – Excuse me mam… I dont Normaly Take advices from Random Blogists Like you…
First Of all this is a blog , where we discuss BMB & Sri Lankan Music in particular…
So why not “Performanships” ? i saw many bloggers here , have written the same… So why Not again . me ?
and by the way its my will to use any word i find good on commenting… Please do not make it a Big issue Okay !
besides whats wrong with admiring two sophisticated performers in BMB ?
if you want to clarify my insights , plz turn up at the next bmb gig , i suggest .
that will do…

Chillout Girl ! (R U ? )
Cheers

i beg to differ…has anyone but dilukshan used the word ‘performanship’? am i being a snobby bitch now? sorry if i am, but im sadly the kind of girl that gets pissed of if someone says ‘so and so and me’ as opposed to ‘so and so and i’ which would be the gramatically correct form of saying it…thus, i am forced to tell you that ‘performanship’ is most certainly not a word. i would suggest a subtstitute, if i knew what dilukshan was trying to articulate, but i read his comment about thrice now and i cant seem to decipher it. sheesh, i’m so anal aren’t i? i’ll make this ‘the end’ then.

sophist – wow. you’re really cool neda? people are pretending to be you now. :)

Hey!

Electra – Yeah yeah yeah ! blah blah blah !
guess what ! im gonna use this fucking Perfoe\rmanship thing over an over AGAIN ! happy !
Yeah , that my favourite DICKtionary Word !
I Love PERFORMANSHIP !!!!
Now here a Suggestion, you walk in cmb with a PERFOMANSHIP Poter Pasted to U r Big , Fat Ass ! he heeheeee !

Happy !!!!

For FUCK’S SAKE !

Talk about something Relevent **(**** !

Listen Lazer- Arse, I get freedom of expression and all that jazz you half-wit but I draw the line at making up words. So You can Take your Dick-tionary and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine, because that’s the only place it’s going to get some action. How’s that for unwarranted advice you neanderthal?

Yeah Electra – I is oozing cool…wesside! It’s cos I’s black innit??!!

Lazarous – welcome back from the dead my main nigga. My brother from another mother. I wish I could make up words like you bruvva. Then nobody will understand what I say and we can write messages to each other in code. That will be way cool – innit? Wesside!

Ru and Electra – you need to relax ma bitches! Take some G – Chill and call G – man so he can take you to the G – Town. Don’t you guys wanna b cool and use the new words sistahs? You are so uncool.

For fuck’s sake – there’s no hope is there…?

man…what a fucking half wit.

ru – its totally not worth it. i’d tell him to go fuck himself, but by the sounds of it, doesnt seem a possibility that he actually would be able to.

shana – fuck the wesside. i like you better with the arrogant sonofabitch attitude problem. :)

I think the secret
is to space
your WORDS funny
and!!!!!!!
use random CAPS and punctuation.

like e.e. cummings as a toddler

And just for the record blogist isn’t a word either :)

But let’s make it a word! Everyone can come up with their own daffy-nition…

Also, I think it’s quite sad that all you people are talking so much about this Brass Monkey Band, and no one was there at the show at the Ananda Samarakoon openair stage in Nugegoda on the evening after the Brass Monkey show to see Nadeeka Guruge and his brother, Kasun Kalhara and the band and Ajith Jayasundara play some of the best music that I have heard in Sri Lanka. Not only were they all original compositions, but many of them were also political, and protest-music, in the true spirit of music as expression.

A lot of people shout a lot about how the Brass Monkey Band is the only Sri Lankan outfit playing original music. But sadly, their compositions pale in comparison to the stuff done by Nadeeka Guruge. Guruge has been experimenting with various stringed instruments from around the world for the past decade and his skills are far above anything that anyone on the Brass Monkey Band, or any other Colombo band, have to offer. But I bet no one here has even heard of him. No one’s heard of these people. I hadn’t heard of Ajith Jayasundara either, till I saw him play that night. And I must say I was very very impressed.

The problem is that all these people write lyrics and sing in Sinhala. For the larger Colombo young crowd Sinhala music has no appeal at all. There was a long time when I was sure that Sinhala music had no future because of the direction it was heading in. But the past few years have been amazing, and many young Sinhala musicians have begun to do experimental music, and also play with lyrics. But I believe this music does not appeal to the young Colombo crowd because, a) their knowledge of Sinhala is pretty low and b) Sinhala is uncool in so many ways. It is uncool to talk in Sinhala. It is uncool to listen to SirasaFM or HiruFM. It is uncool to know friends who speak only Sinhala.

So my point is, it would be good to keep in mind that there are a large number of musicians all over the country who have been producing good original music for the past decade, but who don’t appleal to the English-music-listening crowd of Colombo who spend so much time arguing about how good the Brass Monkey Band is, or how terrible Stigmata is.

Please, there’s so much more music in this country than the Brass Monkey Band, or Stigmata or Paranoid Earthling or any one of those wannabes.

And if you say it’s all about individual taste, well, I’ll let you lot know the next time Nadeeka’s playing somewhere, and you can come and listen to the man play yourself and then decide if it’s not worth listening to or not.

Morquendi – As you would have noticed this section is dedicated to the BMB, if you want to talk about other artist you are very welcome to do so by creating another discussion. You are also welcome to discuss them in this one without asking the rather uneducated question of why people our chatting about BMB so much. Just look up at the topic and that might enlighten you. Everyone is entitled to their own taste in music, just because I think U2 is trippy it doesn’t mean i bag the next band i can get a hold of.
If the work by Nadeeka Guruge is so amazing, which it might be, ask them to break the barriers and cater to the “not so Sinhalese speaking crowd”. Our artist our so comfortable doing what they do they have trouble targeting different audiences, they are almost intimidated by it, thinking it would not go down so well. I resent the comment you made that most people find it uncool to speak in Sinhalese or listen to Sinhalese music. I’ll tell you whats uncool…
1. The massive influence of the keyboard and electric drums.
2. The shallow lyrics
3. The influence of Hindi music (making exact sinhala copies of it)

I for one have admired artist like CT Fernando, if you’ve heard his music you will understand that there has been a definite quality erosion in true sinhalese music after that era and that a very few artist from there on can proudly parade themselves as true artist of that calibre. Maybe the artist you speak of have it, but remember that talent is not just about being brilliant in the music world, its playing smart and reaching out to people. We tend to have a lazy attitude towards things…waiting for things to happen instead of making them happen…
You’ve walked in to this forum with no purpose, If you like Nadeeka so much, heh that’s up to you, thank you for informing us that he exists… As for telling us what to do, you are barking up the wrong tree my friend…take your Hitler attitude elsewhere..

I thought it might be a myth, but no

As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one. (Godwin’s Law)

If anyone wants to open a new thread for anything just email me some text and maybe a photo to start it.

Dear Morquendi,
i would be really interested in getting more information about Nadeeka Guruge, his brother Kasun Kalhara and the band and Ajith Jayasundara. if anyone has any info please do forward it to paul@bodhimuzzik.com

indi dear, i think you’ve actually got it down cold. well done.

‘I think the secret
is to space
your WORDS funny
and!!!!!!!
use random CAPS and punctuation.

like e.e. cummings as a toddler ‘

what a work of art. i, however, am still a little rusty. a few more lessons and i’ll be ready to paint the town red. :) btw, i think it might heighten the quality of the stuff if you actually began words with CAPS in the middle of a sentence. just Like this. see? better Already. :)

Now I am the guns of Navarone!!!. Nice work Dilshan. Morquendi is yet to be dealt with. Sinhala is not uncool. What is uncool is the pathetic lack of originality. The lack of decent arrangements, and proper song writing. Did we have a decent song writer since Mahagama sekara in mainstream Sinhala? Enlighten me please. Not even the great master Amaradeva writes his own stuff. Dilshan nailed it with pointing the hindi covers and the electric drums. If nadeeka guruge is beyond these- that should be appreciated- but no way at the expense of the hard working musicians who do not sing in Sinhala. Morquendi, music does not have a language. Just who do you think you are to call stigmata, the earthlings and bmb ‘wannabes’? Andrew of Stigmata practices 7 hours a day and he stretches it to 12 to 14 hrs on weekends. The Steve Vais and the Satrianis don’t have to do day jobs to fund themselves now, do they? He does not sleep if there is a piece of guitar music that he couldn’t nail. Once I gave him a john petrucci solo where he covers ‘the flight of the bumble bee’. Andy spent two nights sleepless until he got that perfected. In a month, he went beyond that and created a guitar version of Vivaldi’s ‘four seasons’. Shanka of Paranoid Earthling took wooden boxes from shops in Kandy and covered them with X ray paper to be used as toms since he cannot afford a drum-kit. Just go watch him on stage. Goes berserk when he gets his hands on a real drum kit. Dave grohl too would shoot himself if he sees this young man making music. These are just two people in the two bands.

Its just too easy for us, the cool listeners to diss musicians as the flavour of the week changes. No one knows the amounts of sweat, blood and tears (literally) behind the work of these musicians. The reason bands like stigmata don’t have mass appeal is that they cater to a very, very thin slice of the cake. Its far easier making money singing summer of 69 in a pub to a drunk crowd like the bands we all know.

Make a post here and let me know when these guys are playing next. I will go see them. I really enjoyed watching Pradeep Ratnayake and friends- One of the best gigs I’ve been to. I would be weary about asking you to go check out a Stigmata gig tho. You might get lost in the music and the math. I also happen to believe that closed minds should come paired with closed mouths. Off with your Hitler man, Stigmata, Paranoid Earthling and BMB are not the reasons nadeeka guruge is not a hit.

Angie- open another page. Wouldn’t be fair by the bmb fans to be telling you about the stiggie gig.

where is everybody, reading Mein Kampf??

Listen. Dilshan, who died to make you king?

To the best of my knowledge you are not the moderator of this discussion and as far as I am concerned the only person who has any right to ask me to shut up is Indi. Till then, I’ll say what I want, where I want to, when I want to.

If you want something dedicated to the Brass Monkey Band, then I suggest you make a fan site or something, where you can drool all over them as much as you want to. Geocities and Itgo offer excellent options. Just stop throwing your weight around here like you own the place.

Like you said there are major problems with the mainstream Sinhala music scene.

1. The massive influence of the keyboard and electric drums.
2. The shallow lyrics
3. The influence of Hindi music (making exact sinhala copies of it)

It seems the only Sinhala music you have heard of is what the driver plays in the car or what they dance to about midnight at weddings.

But these are the very things that these artists I spoke about have gone against. So I suggest you listen to a few of the newer albums (if you can find them) before shooting your mouth off again. The mainstream Sinhala artists still produce the same crap you speak of, but once in a while you get a few musicians and singers who do some groundbreaking work. This is on a steady increase as the mainstream Sinhala audience begins to develop a taste for these songs.

I’m sorry but you seem to have stopped listening to Sinhala music a while back. So what I suggest is you tune into SirasaFM or HiruFM one of these days and spend some listening to what’s being played. There will be a lot of junk, but somewhere in there you’ll find something interesting. I wish I could tell you where you could go buy the CD so you don’t have to filter out bad music on the radio, but unfortunately not many of these artists have the resources to cut a CD, yet.

But there are a few albums you could listen to. Have you heard Jayasri’s albums? There are two of them and both can be bought at Torana. They cost about 250 each I think. Sangeeth also has a new album out which has 3 nice songs. This is also available at Torana. Please go out and buy it.

Nadeeka does not have an album yet to the best of my knowledge. But he did the Score and 2 songs for the recent Kaushalya Fernando production ‘Sanda Langa Maranaya’ which I think won Best Music at the State Drama Awards. It was a translation of Garcia Lorca’s Blood Wedding, and Nadeeka’s use of the Flamenco guitar and traditional flamenco rythms with the Geta Berayas in the background was just stunning. The state of synergy was something I have not seem many artists, anywhere, attain. And he composed an original flamenco piece for the show. I doubt he would have been able to steal flamenco music from a Hindi movie. Nadeeka and his crew also played for a bit at the National Film Awards ceremony. They were the only good thing about that horrible horrible fest.

Kasun Kalhara is a well known star in the Sinhala music scene now and has an album or two out according to what I have heard but I haven’t got around to actually buying one. A friend once did a music video for his song ‘Sanda Sanda Wage’ which has to be the best music video I have seen produced in Sri Lanka. It’s miles ahead of the few crappy music videos I have had the misfortune of being obliged to produce. It used to get a lot of air on SirasaTV when it came out a few years ago. This song is just Kasun and the guitar backed up by one female vocalist. Again, I watch a lot of Hindi movies and I don’t think Kasun ripped the idea from a Hindi song. Kasun also did the score and two songs for the play ‘Kathakarana Violinaya’ produced by the Drama Society of Methodist’s College, directed by Namal Jayasinghe (the guy who played the soldier in Prasanna Withanage’s ‘Ira Mediyama’). Sadly, this play only showed one night. There is a lot of talk about staging it again, but nothing is solid yet.

I don’t know about the others but the guitarists on the Sinhala music scene are more talented than the guitarists in the English music scene in Sri Lanka and have also shown more of an inclination to experimenting with different stringed instruments, and different kinds of guitars. They have also shown that they are able to integrate Sri Lankan sounds and rythms with world music in a way that the musicians in the English music scene in Colombo have been unable to.

So Dilshan, please be a little more aware of what is going on in the Sinhala music scene right now before you jump to any conclusions and ask me to shut up.

**********************************************

Paul, yes I will most definetely let you know when Nadeeka is playing again. Kasun Kalhara is not Nadeeka’s brother. Nadeeka’s brother is some other Guruge who’s a recluse. But he’s a better guitarist than his younger brother Nadeeka and when they play together, like they played at the Alternative May Day Celebration in Nugegoda, it’s a real treat. Nadeeka told me that they are trying to put together a show for June when they hope to bring down some Native American musicians (Red Indian, for you ignorant bastards) and do something funky and fused. When this show is happening I will let you know for sure.

One more random thing. Your site is just too heavy man. It looks kinda neat but it takes forever to download, and I’m not on a really slow connection.

**********************************************

Nikita, playing Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ on the guitar does not make someone a good guitarist. It makes someone a good copier. Which is exactly what your friend Dilshan has accused the Sinhala music scene of being. And I really doubt if he can play the whole set of four. It is a really long composition. But then again, he might be a super talented copier. Is his middle name Xerox? And I never said the wannabes are the reason Nadeeka is not a hit. Nadeeka is not a hit because he is a strange semi-recluse. That’s his problem.

Like I told Dilshan above, the reason you do not know of the existence of good Sinhala music is simply because you do not listen to it. If you want a good songwriter listen to Athula Adhikari. And he’s mainstream too! So you can buy one of his CDs anywhere. So, please listen to some Sinhala music before you start trashing them.

Yes, I will let you know when Nadeeka and the crowd are playing next and you can go watch them.

**********************************************

In general.

Let me start by saying I have nothing at all against the English music scene in Colombo. Whenever I have the time I go for a gig. I’m very very sorry to have missed the Brass Monkey Band at the British Council, but I was working and taking time off was not an option.

But I do see many problems with the English music scene in Colombo.

What I think is wrong with the whole English music scene in Colombo is

1. The presence of badly tuned guitars and badly mixed sound
2. Inaudible lyrics and the if-I-can’t-hear-them-they-must-be-good principle
3. The influence of of fake rock bands or hacked-to-death bands.

From what I have heard of them I don’t think any of these things are true about the Brass Monkey Band, but I don’t know enough about them to comment on their act so I won’t. Perhaps I will go out and by their album.

I was at one of the first ever Ind Square gigs and their music lacked a lot of things but at least it was original, and the vocals were clear (though it was also clear that the boy whose name begins with ‘A’ just wouldn’t do!). When Stigmata are on stage I simply cannot hear a single thing the vocalist is saying. And if anyone here says they can hear something I’m not going to hesitate to call them a liar. Pretty much the same goes for Paranoid Earthling and for all the other bands. When they do covers I can sing along because I know the lyrics. But when they do an original I am clueless. So I just hum. Like Pooh Bear :)

Seriously, Nikita, they might be writing excellent lyrics, but I just wouldn’t know because I can’t hear them! And the whole point in having good lyrics in a song is so that the person who listens to the songs gets it. Not to make it so that you have to buy the CD and have the little booklet open to figure out what they’re saying. This is nothing to do with taste so don’t pull that ‘individual taste’ argument on me. It’s just about relative decible levels.

And aren’t those awaful clothes they wear terribly hot?

And the kinds of bands and people they idolize. Eeeeugh! Perhaps Nikita I could donate a few LPs of Hendrix, The Doors, The Stones and some other bands that they might do well to listen to. The Stones did play songs other than ‘Paint It Black’ which seems to be the only song all these bands have heard of by the Stones. I suspect that this is due the fact that it used to be the title score on that horrible horrible how-the-Americans-won-in-Vietnam series ‘Tour of Duty’ which was a hit here.

Morquendi…. There we go again. I hate repeating myself. I did not insult nadeeka now, did I? I haven’t heard him. Even if I did and didn’t like the music he played I wouldn’t go on humiliate any artist unless downright whoring of musicianship is involved. Andrew’s middle name isn’t Xerox and he does not play four seasons on stage in the middle of Stigmata songs. He merely does it so that he can improve on his dexterity- hope that makes sense to you. He can play more scales faster when and if he wants so that the message his band wants to convey can be delivered with more clarity and conviction. In other words simply- to become a better musician. Going by your definition- the San Francisco symphony orchestra and the Berlina philamonica are not outstanding musicians but should be renamed cannon and Xerox, yeah? I don’t quite recall them doing originals! I’m the one who got you pissed off. Please aim all your nihilism at me and not Andrew and stigmata. Andy is an extremely unassuming guy who would be embarrassed if he found out that he is the subject to this conversation.

The other subject you aimed I believe had to do with diction. Although I am a big fan of clear vocals, if they feel the need for the inclusion of harsh vocals- let it be. You have little choice but to wait for the CD booklet. Being a listener of many heavy bands, that’s something I’m used to. There is more to a song than lyrics although the latter constitutes a considerable part. A band’s merit is measured in a number of facets. First would be the caliber of musicianship, then comes the band’s ability to convey tangible images and feelings, and most importantly the band’s ability to progress. Legendary musicians like Queen, led Zepplin, the who and even the eagles and the beatles are guilty on all these counts. Stiggies and the earthlings are no exception. As limited as my time is- I would’ve elaborated had you not had a mind so closed. I do appreciate you standin up for our own music- but like I mentioned music speaks one language all over. Listen to some music with an open mind- and lesten to more sri lankan english music than independent square. Want to know another thing that’s ‘uncool’? – blind stereotyping!

Morquendi- I do not wish to praise the brass monkey band one bit, being their former mananger thats the last thing I want to do and I’m sorry I haven’t listened to Sirasa in a while, being overseas doesn’t help, but i will do so when i land there in June. All i was trying to say is that yes, i respect your views on the other artist in SL, but the way you shoved it upon us was the wrong aproach. There are more subtle ways on winning people over to an artisit they haven’t heard of… I truly respect sinhalese artisit don’t get me wrong, wish I knew more people who are passionate about their sinhala music to introduce the new artist to me.. Maybe you can give us a list of people to look out for, will definitely buy the albums when i get there..
Cheers

for the record I never asked you to shut up, just wanted you to be a bit more cautious about winning people over to your world..its not something to get all puffed about, it was just an observation I made and i’m not the only one who shares this view.

Niki boy.. you impress me on a daily basis. I’m even more impressed that you managed to get your point across so lucidly (no pun intended) without mentioning the nine inch nails J One thing you have to realize niki is that – most people just don’t get it. You can’t make someone like real music. Something like leading a horse to the water. So just don’t bother. There will always be the ignorant and the hypocrites. Little you can do about it. (playing four seasons on guitar doesn’t make you a good guitarist???? Wonder if Andrew can manage summer of 69. I mean with the odd time, the staccato riffs and all). There are still people who call Robert Plant a wannabe, and that Blackmore can’t play guitar. Just let go. Not worth your time.

Angie’s back – yaay.

Machan Morq – Dilshan is right. You have very valid arguments in every thread that you post on, but your way of putting them across sometimes puts people off. It makes your argument lose the credibility it may have had at its conception. Just a thought.

I’m surprised that we have gone this far in our thread without once mentioning Bathiya and Santush (their antonym of B&S is hilarious no?). What would you describe them as? Unashamed Xeroxers or Original Sri Lankan Artistes. They are bloody successful and probably have done more for the music industry than all the English bands put together.

Angela you mention ‘real’ music. This means that you dismiss anyone who doesn’t like your type of music. That’s not very democratic is it? Although I worship the ground Robert Plant walked on and would have no hesitation in taking Jim Morrison up the arse, it doesn’t mean we can expect everyone to subscribe to our taste. If so Michael Learns to Rock would have been still born.

Who in their right mind would expect me to be democratic??? think I’d give a shit? and about michael learns to rock?? Who is this, G man in disguise?????

Angela – this is Shanaka. WTF??!! I never said MLTR was a good thing. But like Nazis and girls with hairy legs, we can’t deny their existence. Fascism is good – but you must keep it under wraps. Otherwise you’re found out before you get in a place before you can expound it to any real worth.

Do you think G Man could spell Jim Morrison?? Hang on – he probably wouldn’t be able to spell ‘Jim’.

I’m taking back my proposal to you Angela…:(

hahaha….ha ha hahahahahahhahahahaha.

should i apologise???? what if you are G man with someone who can spell jim??? i can’t quite take the chance. ok shanaka, what album is ‘black dog’ from?? quick.

Google.
Helping noobs impersonate rock music aficionados since 1999.

Is this the answer? :)

Angela knowing that I have free broadband that was hardly a question that even G Man couldn’t have looked up. I know Tenny’s full name if that helps. But I can hardly publish it here.

ah, my apoligies G man, wazzap wazzap, yo ma niggaz and ma homies in da mafakin hood!!! Honestly Shanaka Tenny’s last name is as public domain is Zepplin 4… Well i do have my democratic moments. I gave almost a full chance to the Brass Monkeys now, didn’t i? One thing I don’t get is that how they always emphasize on the ‘complex part. I too happened to see the Pradeep Ratnayake + friends jazz/ fusion concert niki was talking about. Now THATS complex music. So is stigmata. So is Indus Creed- and Acquired Funk Syndrome form India. (not familiar??) Brass Monkeys aren’t a complex band, enjoyable in the least and Swinly is talented- but far from complex. They are however light years ahead of the Anils and the Krebs cycles- ( i had forgotten them till someone mentioned them in the blog). even with a singer who sparked so much discussion here.

The term ‘real music’ although i shouldn’t have used- is pretty much self-explanatory. I mean, what the hell, from BB king to Opeth ( can’t assume the folks here to be familiar with the underground, can I?) they all rock. Music is real as long as its aimed for the hearts and not the wallets…very loose definition but I can’t outdo niki here. You get the picture. Are you in Robert Plant land now? No i’m not hitting on you man, i just want to know if you read the SL papers. Is it true that Anil called himself ‘Tori Amos’??

Thimal, you just stole the moment. Nice.

Yes Angela I am in Beatle land – and as we speak Stevie G and his fabulous Boys in Red are landing at none other than John Lennon airport.

I haven’t been reading the SL papers in detail as all I have access to is the Daily Noise, and because of a very kind soul the Daily Mirror. None of them covered Anil calling himself Tori Amos. I missed that one. Do tell me about it.

I didn’t think for a moment you were hitting on me. Rest assured.

Aimed at the heart instead of the wallet eh? Hmmm. I would agree with you entirely without a shadow of contradiction if Mick Jagger or Jimmy Page died a poor man.

how pissed would you be if i settle for a cheap cut n paste job??

“the success of the tracks you mentioned despite not being commercially tailored was largely due to the time in which they were penned. It’s a sad story but sometimes great tracks are also prostituted”.

I raise my hand and hang my head in shame.

Forgiven, forgotten.
I’m not a stones fan man! Not at all. I really don’t care how Jagger dies. As for Mr Page, he did have his moments of rock n roll whoring. I mean how could you ever forget puff daddy getting a piece of zepplin ass (Kashmir- awesome song) in the Godzilla theme. However this doesn’t mean that every dignified artist gets to do a Tolstoy. And I don’t remember Krebs Cycle people driving around in limos despite their fascination with playing summer of 69 four times in a 10 song set. Does my definition still stand?

Angie angie.. hmm. While trying NOT to sing that like Mick Jagger, t’s still good to see that I get the respect I deserve. Well, you missed more than the show. The Stigs are back in the studio. I assume you heard them with the new drummer and bassist. Honestly I’m worried they might be pressing a little too hard for perfection. A lot of people here (and people who listen to very decent music) get turned of by categorical technical precision- or so it seems. Reg, you still there?

Ado shanaka, umba mage genita bahinawa neda?

Ahem, I wouldn’t mess with those original deflowerers of virgins, and trashers of hotel rooms, Led Zepplin. I’ve yet to come across a better combination than Page, Plant & Jones.

Your definition Angela is fluid. And you make valid points for its existence. I will let it stand because I can’t come up with a better criteria for ‘real music’. You’ve won this one and I don’t begrudge it one bit.

Niki – kawda umbe gaani? Mama bahinne naa machan. Bayawenna epa.

It’s always been a criticism of Stigmata that they’re not technically sound. At least that’s what I said when the three numpties trooped into my house in their pre-fame years and demanded I listen their first track. Perhaps it’s a good thing machan. You have to be able to achieve technical perfection before you start improvising. In anything least of all music. Let Suresh get anal and slag of the musicians a bit and then they’ll realise the best balance.

ahem.. umba online pani halana gaani thamai. fit thama machan. you so the man. so with my new found sense of relief, let me get back to the topic. you sure do have a very thomian way of describing their music and behaviour. No machan, what i meant was that they now add a lot of classical components- esp with andy’s classical training, and incorporate odd time signatures, you know what i’m talking about. I of course am delighted with the new developments and the way they sound. I’m being rather paradoxical as this is exactly where I wanted them to be a long time back. Back then everyone thought Karl Marx was a loony. It wasn’t till a long time after his death people considered his ideas evocative. Chuck Shuldiner died poor, barely knowing that a whole genre of metal music was named after him- his alter ego band actually..Death. (ah… there you go- an example for you- aimed not at the wallet). Being ahead of time involves a price to pay.

Ruwani, were you actually talking bout Zeps? No squabble on your comments- but you failed to mention Bonham. The ultimate trademark of Zepplin and the greatest drummer of the classical era. Bad.. bad..Write ‘I will not forget John Bonham again’ 150 times in the back of your Zepplin 4 LP in really small letters and come back to the blog.

Shanaka machan, I have your promise in writing. Being a lawyer you should know that this necessarily constitutes a legal obligation.

Nikita in Your little litany of people who are remembered after they die, you forgot the legacy that was left by Blind Willie Johnson after whom an entire blues, soul and motown genre developed and flourished. So tattoo : I shall never forget Blind Willie Johnson about 1000 times on yourself.

And your point is? The fact that Blind willie was a great musician gives you muscle to leave John Bonham out of the Zeps equation? There are thousands of great musicians whos contributions to their respective genres stand out- but we are talking bout Led Zepplin here. And its’ John Henry Bonham for you! The awesome vocals of Plant and the bluesy heavy riffs of Page was what instantly attracted people to the magic of Led Zepplin. But it was Bonham who kept them. Oh yes with Jones of course. Take any modern drum deity- Danny Carey of Tool, Mike Portnoy of Dream Theatre, or someoone you might’ve heard of Dave Grohl- formerly Nirvana, Foo fighters and now drumming for Nine Inch Nails- all site Bonham as their primary influence. I’m only taking this much trouble on you because you claimed to be a fan.

Ado you buggers impositions of punishments take me back years when we used to give lines to poor unsuspecting 6th formers just for fun. Can you believe I taught Suresh English in school. My first vivid memory of the bugger is him raising his hand and asking me if (so and so) was gay. Hilarious. Bugger could spell though. Which is probably one reason I didn’t have him beaten to a bloody pulp. Ah the sweet memories of STCML.

When they gave me Tenny’s name on the Boarding House entry form for the House Plays I nearly fell over backwards laughing. Had to have the bugger brought down from class just to check whether it was his actual name. Damn his parents had a sense of humour. We had another bugger whose surname was Martin and his initials were D.E.A.N., and one of my mates from Royal insists that he played a tennis match against a bloke called Jim Reeves. Monumental hilarity.

Bonham apart Ringo was the seminal drummer with a personality mate. Take nothing away from the man who wrote my favourite Beatles track. Well maybe not ‘favourite’, but it’s such a good song.

If we are to take your arguments to their logical conclusions we are going to have to start talking about Elvis, and I’m sure we all agree that we can’t have that.

Nikita – Karl Marx was a loony machan. A visionary yes – but loony nevertheless. Uta puke indang pissu. His ideas were just an excuse for the lazy proles.

I also have to warn you machan my promise is not intended to create legal relations. So this is an express disclaimer. Eki umbawa halala maath ekka awoth kaata kiyannada machan. Habai umbe music knowledge eka gaththama umba pora – mama otuwa. Ithink mama hithanne naa bayawenna karanayak thiyanwa kiyala.

Dude, Niki, Leaving Bonham out wasn’t intentional, but Page & Plant have stuck through the ages and have transformed their music, always bringing in new angles be it egyptian orchestras or chinese zithers and still staying true to their mofoing twelve-string fenders. Oh I hate intellectual snobbery when in comes to anything, even muzik, in this respect it’s a front to display a wide range of very anal qualities and has nothing at all to do with my original comment directed to Angela, whom I’m certain can speak for herself, though how she’d defend what she said about “LZ’s rock & roll whoring” is beyond me.

Shanaka- that is absolutely hilarious. I don’t remember laughing as hard for a long time. So you are a teacher?? Hmmm interesting. Quite funky ideas you have in your head for an English teacher I must say. And niki and shanaka, can you two please stop flirting in Singhalese. Be fair for the rest of the blog who may not quite be literate as you two pissants.

Niki boy, Ruwani sure got you angry, didn’t she? Pay no heed man. Rock on. All is justified. As for the comment on intellectual snobbery… oooooooh. I’m Sure you wouldn’t have minded that.
Ruwani, soften up please. We all like to learn something and honestly I wouldn’t have learned that unless I read modern drummer or analysed all these mentioned drummers carefully for their influences. Simple short cut.
And all you had to do was mention the fact that not listing Bonham was unintentional a little earlier instead bringing up blind willie. That’s all. Am I to defend up cclaims on page being a rock n roll whore? Lets see if there are any other pissed off Zep fans.. puff daddy or whatever the freak he calls himself these days shouldn’t have given any access to a beautiful piece of music like Kashmir. Plain and simple whoring!

Ive had been staring at this Blog for sometime now…
I can’t disclose my name due to Professional & Very Personal Issues. Because some facts Im pointing Out today, cannot put up otherwise..
I got few things, that I want to Inform/Educate all Blogists in general & Especially Marquendi…

My Ideas/Commets Will Based On these …

1) Nadeeka Guruge , Kasun Kalhara – Profile, Music, His Creations, Beyond…
2) BMB – In General
3) Contempary English & Sinhala Music Scene in general Sri Lanka

Although I categorize Topics above, in commenting I will talk about everything in general linking & contrasting each other…

Ive been in Both Sinhala & English music scene enough time… I once my self invloved in a Fusion band… Now its Dissolved…
Bottom-line is I have strong links with a BMB members and Both Kasun Kalhara & Nadeeka Guruge are somewhat known Professional pals of mine…
Nadeekas Percussionist “Pabalu” is a Very Close friend of mine.
Mayb somethings Im pointing out/putting out now can be regarded as shameless & Unprofessional revealing Secrets of others but I’ve always wanted to do this, Cuz People Have to know !…

Nadeeka Guruge is a good Musician… He first starting playing strings at streets I believe… I saw Him firstly at a TV interview on Rupvahini…
Then got to know Pabalu then through him met Nadeeka.. Ill talk about his Originality Now and Kasun Later…

Lets Cut to the Chase..…

Nadeeka Guruge Has Copied number of World musics from Buddha Bar Collection & Kitaro Specifically…. Yeah ! He did alright. Simply !
Heres a shit for his so called Originality – this is for Marquendi..
Ill give you a Number One Example Now, Here we Go ! :-

Yep.. may be Morquendi you will remember a tele drama broadcasted on swarnawahini called “aga pipi mal’..
In aga pipi mal’s Theme song is sung by Nanda malini… the theme song & theme music both done by Nadeeka Guruge…
Okay heres the deal !…
Grab & listen to Buddha Bar CD – Krishna Beats Volume 2 – 3rd Track – its called Lie Natalia – Romanian Gypsy (Wanderer Remix)
this is a Brilliant New Age song & the Central theme starts to at Time 1:12 – 2:01 … and goees till the end.
the Central theme & all the arrangements are copied by Nadeeka Guruge and applied to the Aga pip mal Theme Music…
what this guy did was , for the girls Aria part in the Original – he put a Western Flute-Indian Flute Blend.. Exact part in flute..
truly shameless… but I got to tel you that If we can Mix Track 3 with aga pip mal theme heh heheeee here Well have the Fusion Piece of Nadeeka for you Our dear freind Marq!!! yeah ! – Romanian Gypsy together with Acoustic Flutes , TABLa ! & uhhhh I guess some keyboards tooo…

Actually, I caught this while changing channels… I never watch swarnawahini dramas.. all shit stuff they have there…
so this drama was starting coincidently when I was switching… Maaan ! , The music was Bloody Familiar!… I went confused…. after the Theme started & when on the Screen this appeared “sangeethaya – Nadeeka Guruge “ I was Truly shocked and Saddened.. cuz I then Realized the true nature of these Guys…

Long before this, Before Nadeeka – whole band of mine were listening to kasun & Indrchapas Album… We noted 4 times How Kasun kalhara was using Elements from Kitaro , Buddha Bar & Robin Hood TV Series Themes… songs like tharu katayak wee – violin part in the Bridge – almost Celtic cum Robinhood theme ..
But he is a Far good music Copier than Nadeeka! What Kasun did was/would do is he changed the scale plus few chords… here you youll have it.
Also in Pavee ennaum song done by kasun – although I Have No clue whether he reaaly copied it or a Better question Where…. but when im listening to it,
I get this feeling this have to be taken from somewhere , cuz one of my friend in Aussie said , possibly from Chillout Lounge Volume 1..

Oh yes… Talking about Kasuns Programme start Themes… its truly frivolous.. intros from Lovely compositions at Buddha bar, some parts from Gregorian Chants Stuff, Kitaros album Ancient & Matsuri , all these pieces can be found there… uh., I almost forgot.. If check out Kitaros Songs – Caravansky or Main theme…
After that Listen to the song “Ada” .. you’ll find the flute part in Ada is a collaboration of those two tracks.. this song is sung by Ranil & Harsha… and yes of course Music is done by kasun Kalhara…

**************************************************************************
Man Marquendi & all the guys ..

These are True examples machangs.. I have No intention of Bluffing you or whatever.. Check it for yourself..
I longed to do – reveal something like this for a long time…
This issue is not a very big deal to scream about cuz people have many important stuff to attend to.. Blog caught my attention cuz its simple.. you don’t have to tell who you are –what you do whatever… and its NOT that big too, when you put up sum brave comment you become a Freak CIVIL Hero !
You don’t need to be brilliant to catch these things. Anyone – even you can be too , if you listen carefully & tell me of other instances of SL Music Copycats.
What you need is a good ear, Fair amount of Music knowledge & Acceptance of Newage Music..
Firstly try to get the Buddha Bar Collection.. Buddha bar is the Ultimate collection of world music as far as I know.. so is Chill out Lounge..
These are music Pieces from worlds finest.. if it hadn’t for some crazy Monks who protested against using BUDHHA logo in the CD , these stuff still would be in SL Market.. in fact I bought 5 Buddha Bar CDs for 1000 bucks… Thanx to Audio Piracy!! If anyone is interested I can Burn Copy and send to Indi.. so he can send it to anyone interested.. (I don’t know he is okay with it ! )
Now Ill do the Final writing…

***************************************************************************
Bottom-line is This…

Both Nadeeka Guruge & Kasun Kalhara are Very Good & Creative (Yep.. Word says it all !) Musicians..
I wouldn’t – even for a second say they arnt capable buggers or whatever…
What they lack is ORIGINALITY.. So Its Major funny thingy Marquendi – when you are trying to Highlight the same in these guys!

Unfortunately this is a common Foolishness Issue of Sri lankas Contempary Music Listeners..
When They simply heard any new Fusion melody/composition never take a minute to verify whether its really this..
Infact Guys like machang marquendi dare to put up challenging , Vivid, Vibrant , threatening Comments too !

* Let me explain whats really happening with these two musicians…

Nadeeka , Kasun etc.. – These new age SL Sinhala artists are bloody good Music listeners…
We have to look at the Backgrounds, reasons & their desires of doing things I mentioned above …

Both these artist are coming from Middleclass backgrounds… not so English speaking like BMB, stigmata..
but heavily Influenced by Local & International Music Scenes..
Off the record examples they tried to get a grip at early stages : – Kasun did various music experiments at College together with school beat band..
Lets say his Early compositons are Higly Inspired ( I feel sin to say Copied ) by artists like Yanni , Kitaro , Enya etc..
Mind you , these Yanni ,Kitaro Album CDs are Highly available in Local Market… anyone can buy them for a lil amount..
So So Just like I bought 5 Buddha bar cds , same He/they must have done the same all the time… one CD costs something like Rs 150-200…

When we look at these guys we have to look at their roots too . Kasun comes from a Musical Family. Nadeeka Isnt as far as I know..
Nadeekas Friends claims that He taught himself Guitar.. I don’t know How true is that..
But I know He is a Very Capable Guitarist & Charangist… He gets these Instruments from his Connections with Few Bolivian & North American Indigenous Musicians..
As far As I see , their strategy is a different one.. Entirely different one… almost opposite Of BMB… its Silly comparing BMB to them…
There’s Sky & Earth difference in both parties..
To be exact, a quick contrast with BMB , I think the Only Fusion element in the BMB is their Percussionist Ravihansa.. This guy is a Virtuoso at Percussions/drums. I know him bit personally, due to his Involvements with PERCX Foundation – A Fusion Beat Band.. Seriously guy plays any World Beat instrument you throw at him.. Name it African, Arabic, American etc.. And he plays tablas Upside down!. Well I’m Not Biased any one or generally any damn thing to BMB. Marquendi you should really come to a Brass Monkey Band gig and witness some Serious World Drumming & Rhythms!

Back to topic Nadeeka !
I think basically what Nadeeka wants is to Explore different kinds of Music , world Strings… its his thing.
Its like a thing in his blood… and he is going on a very slow journey…
he gets inspired by compositions from Buddha Bar & various others… and he so badly want to explore them/try them by himself so this drive him to put and Mix these Original compositions on his own Productions… Finally all morons think, man this guy is truly great!
Maybe It’s a part of he showing Off, himself to others , make him appear like a Symbol Of SL Newage Postmodern Music…. something like that.. Or it can be even Himself trying to have a solid foundation in the industry.. for that purpose his stealing music.. there can be numerous Strategies I his mind …who knows ?

Why they do this so smoothly & How come without anyone knowing ?

1)tel me what tele drama Director have heard Buddha bar or any kinda World Music, Beats ?
as far im concernd only one who knows something about Applied Music Application in Television & Uses it , is Director Jayantha Chandrasiri..
and He does not involve Nadeeka.. He has Dr Khemadasa to perfect his work…

2) So Ok Director doesn’t know anything.. so How come the Audience know ?
I don’t think 1/100000 has heard World Musics… So Why Not use ?

3) Why him/they do it ?
As mentined above…
Maybe It’s a part of he showing Off himself to others , make him appear like a Symbol Of SL Newage “Postmodern” Music .. who produces the richest & boldest melodies etc..…. something like that.. Or it can even be Himself trying to have a solid foundation in the industry.. for that purpose his stealing music.. there can be numerous Strategies In his mind …who knows ?

A very important thing is , even Both Kasun & Nadeeka differs immensely in marketing themselves too. Kasun is basically a Sri lankan Sinhalese mass market targeter. Kasuns Major Talent is in his Vocals … I would say simply the Most Brilliant Young Vocalist in the country … I have NO doubts about it. Whether it’s English Scene or Sinhala Scene. He Is the Best !
Nadeekas Goals are somewhat not very clear.. he does what he gets & live with it .

******************************************************************************
Finally !

I think I gave a clear idea to all, how SL Contempary Sinhala Music scene , adopts East-West Popular n Not popular World Music and How they use them at there free will claiming its Originality while getting the “Inspiration” from them ( He hee No copying! – In..s..piration !)
Its somewhat pathetic to see such good musicians Go wasted doing these…

Well , I guess it’s a Pretty long comment.. Ill stop for Now.. If there is some feedbacks on this , I guess ill also write you a Comment on BnS , Iraj & Contempary Sri Lankan Playback Artists…

And Also Machan Marquendi – you are very true in saying , Its Uncool to talk with people in Sinhala, Uncool to know Friends who speaks in Sinhala!
I don’t know whether these bands like BMB , stigmata ever talked in Sinhala.. what a shame ! I got to and do some work now, otherwise I was surely planning to mention it… Im fully with you On that man ! Honestly I cant Understand what on earth is happening to this country!
Indi can you open up a something Blog On that plz ?

Okay Any queries .. plz put Forward… any clarifications , Please put forward .

And Everyone Do check out Mentioned Titles & music pieces. See & hear – check it out for your self.

Truly,

Music Critic A.K.A Renagade 50-1

Hallo w!

CRITIC – Man ! HOWE HOWE GUY! – Amazing STUFF dUED ! Damn! pepolle check it out !

Man This Morquendi fellar Is Hilariou0s!!!… I don’t know why /Wonder whether anyone didn’t noted this point im making Now! Just scan below k.
Just look at this Utter Paradoxical Kinkiness of What he is saying …..

“A lot of people shout a lot about how the Brass Monkey Band is the only Sri Lankan outfit playing original music. But sadly, their compositions pale in comparison to the stuff done by Nadeeka Guruge. Guruge has been experimenting with various stringed instruments from around the world for the past decade and his skills are far above anything that anyone on the Brass Monkey Band…” “Please, there’s so much more music in this country than the Brass Monkey Band, or Stigmata or Paranoid Earthling or any one of those wannabes.”

Wo wo .. hold on… Here Basically he is lowering the brass monkey stuff and showing How Good Compositions/Music of ”Our Hero in Town ” Nadeeka Guruge.
Okay! Now Check Out His Next Comment replying few other guys, What bugger Says!

Comment May 24th, 2005 at 9:04 pm
“From what I have heard of them I don’t think any of these things are true about the Brass Monkey Band, but I don’t know enough about them to comment on their act so I won’t. Perhaps I will go out and by their album.”

Man, This Is ridiculously Hilarious! Basically this Guy have NEVER HEARD OF Brass Monkey Band nor there Music! But Bugger is so kewl to Insult BMB n whole Music scene in general. I think his Kinky imagination comes up with all these Crummy, Otiose Comments Comparing His “Imaginary BMB Melodies” with Nadeeka Guruges “Elakiri But Nobody Heard “ Stuff!
C’mon Man! Getaaa Life !!!

Huh ! Like Aftab Highlighted Perfectly while back , “Donkeys Must NOT Show there Donkyness in front of SANE people !

Morq – Dude , before comparing, letting down anything or check your Head soon !
If you aren’t a BMB Fan or anti-Fan in any manner (Positive Feedbacker Or Negativer Feedbacker ) without clamoring & blabbering Just get the hell outta here Okay !
Go and cheer up your friend Nadeeka at Nugegoda or at some street somewhere else…

This Is G Man.. New & Improved… (Patriotic Heroic Music From Lord Of the Rings Plays In the Background…… ) Cuz I fell in love with a girl….
My man Indi… Keep it Goin…

Cheers !

Hey G-man, amazing how people bag things they haven’t heard of…found it quite hilarious myself… I think i speak for all when i say that
1.we do not dispute the fact that Nadeeka and the rest are great musicians…
2. We do not tolerate uneducated guess work
3. We are more than willing to listen to all these sinhala artists and appreciate them..
4. You don’t have to shove stuff down our throats, there are more subtle ways to convince people than tell them what to do. A “Go do this, go do that” approach will never work.
5. Lets all chill, share music and enjoy it…its what it was created for in the first place…

Cheers
DK

dilshan . did you read my Comment ?
http://indi.ca/2005/04/brass-monkey-show/#comment-16997

are you aware of Buddha Bar stuff ?

Hallow !

Got your Point Buddy !
what to do Im just adjusting to this Peacefull lifestyle no ? he heeeee
I want do it again…
Ill sware by Marquendi…

cheers.

Hmmm, bad scene for Morq. Think he’s given up on the blog. Well, we can’t quite hold it against him the fact that he wasn’t au fait with budda bar material. I actually think he’s quite an intelligent guy who, for some insane reason decided to act pretty belligerent. I mean some of his arguments make sense except when he’s being abusive of musicians for no apparent reason but to prove his point. Man Man. G man, whassap negro? You are quite a vigilant bugger afterall. And lord of the rings soundtrack??? Angie- he might be listening to Angra or Rhapsody the next time he makes a post.

Ruwani.. All you had to do was make your last post a little earlier. Pardon the pageantry. I have to admit it wasn’t a very nice thing re- reading my post. Not a flaunt- but referring you your statement on plant and page sticking thru the ages– you just might be unaware of the fact that Bonham died in ’80. –. I know, they just go to town on Indian/ Arabic melodies. Awesome stuff.

Shana, for fuck’s sake man.. what kind of a picture do you think angie has of you?? An English teacher in STC who would beat up sixth graders for kicks and would have no qualms in taking Jim Morrison up his arse!!!! I mean how much doyou like Stigmata really now? I mean how ‘far’ do you think Suresh, Andy or Tenny could go?? You admitted loving them after all .. This much glee machan is sin.. Oh, let’s not forget our flirting session now, gaani api dennama dala G man ekka yai wage`. Umba Otuwa, huh, you just lurrve hooking for complements, don’t you? Api ahuwey owata.

Sorry angie.. I don’t quite think shanaka could handle my allure..

G man, by the way those points were not directed at you just in case u got the wrong picutre. They were said in addition to your stuff which i completely agree with. Just realized that u might have thought i was directing those points at you, not the case at all..

Renegade 49 – Yes I have listen to a lot of Buddha Bar, although i can’t recall any particular one track. I’m also a fan of Cafe Del Mar compilations, are u into that at all? Thank you for pointing out all those observations, that was some good insight.
Cheers DK

Ado yes machans. In addition to Buddha Bar and Cafe Del Mar, I also listen to the Fuckwits and the Thirteen Senses. Also Rani and the Thambapanni Clan. So my taste in music is more obscure than all of y’all put together. Harida meyala!?

Angela. I am far from a teacher. I taught for a month because the English teacher died or something. And they offered to pay me. I will never teach again. Ever!! Being a prefect and teaching was a beautiful hybrid. You could legally have the buggers flogged. Heh heh. Just kidding. I wasn’t violent. Well not very at least.

I think those buggers will go very far if they get their heads our of their arses. They are good, but they are not brilliant yet. The problem with most Thomians is that we think we are better by default. That’s not the case. You have to work at being better. Which is why I’m happy that they’re going in for the whole technical perfection number because I think that’s an ability they need to have. They are still very young and I think we are still to see their best. In fact I would advise them to take a break…go to University for a year and come back. It helps. They need a bit more extra exposure as human beings and not as musicians. And I don’t mean that as condescendingly as it probably sounded – just finding it difficult to artiulate what I want to say. But I will be one of their biggest fans regardless although Morq is right when he says that we shouldn’t have to read the books to understand the lyrics. They are better than most but could still improve.

Jim Morrison, Dan Carter, Robert Pires…all sphincter material.

Bonham choked on his own vomit my friend told me.

Ado Niki. Maara scene eka. Eki umbaway maaway dennama haluwoth hukaris. Umba kawda bung? Indi gen ahala mata mail ekak yawapang.

HalloW!

Im DRUNK Again !

anyway ,, WHere is Our Dearest MARQUENDI ?
Hey dude … Dont forget to Hik… Check..Hik.. (Hikking!) .. HE BLOGS Now .,..

Marquendiii – whre are ya…

Me My Man – Critic Nigga WAITING For your anticipated REPLY.. hIK.. !
Adoh ! Im drunk ..

N I love Nadeeka Bro !

M a r q u e n d iiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

blast at me Or Hit me hard Next Time …

bye

cheers…

Adoh !

koheda uba Bakamooona !

sorry machan – danne nathuwa kiweee honde !?.?!?

Me , Uba Marusi ehema Naa Neda aaaa ?

Honda Kolla !

Bye Machng !

Chee hIk… R..s hiLLK… S !

Adoh !

uba relpy karanne nadda Do !

plz plz angy tel him o Reply KO !

I miss him…

moo baya wela wadda ??? Aeeee ???

Ayubowan!

G-Man, you’re wasted. You have got to hold it down.

If you use more than 2 exclamation points and 3 paragraphs in a comment I’m going to moderate it. Write that down.

Indi, can’t you make it illegal for bloggists to chat in other languages- You may give immunity to G man of that rule tho. Why not ask him to use sign language when he’s making posts. I also think the blog is getting extremely large now for any useful purpose- and it’s been a while since the brass-monkey gig was last mentioned.

Shanaka’s right. Karl Marx was a loony. Please. You may use sinhalese only when you are hitting on niki and not otherwise. Oops, did I upset the majority here. I mean is this considered sacrilege? I suppose niki is right there with Jim Morrison now? Sorry man. He’s the only one I know in your ‘sphincter material list’.

Niki, stupid ass, I just don’t get your need to sound so negative about the new direction the Stiggies are headed. What a hypocrite!! Keep buying your progressive CDs, go to your jazz concerts and go see stigmata when you feel like listening to three doors down?? What are you trying to prove?

Hey people,

I’ve just spent a very enjoyable couple of hours reading this strand – its fantastic to see that my brother’s band has kicked off such enthusiastic debate on this site about Sri Lankan music.

He’s stuck in Matara for the next year working his ass off at the hospital there as a doctor so I think BMB is going to be put on hold for a while. Kind of ironic since the album just came out and I think it rocks (yes, even his voice…and I’ve been going on at him about it since we were both in a band together ten years ago…way before anyone else started criticising him about it).

Swinley, Oshan, Ravihansa all the other musicians in BMB are amazing – so spirited, talented, and unpretentious to boot. I hope they each go on to start their own bands and do their own thing, whenever the time is right for them.

Anyway. Just wanted to say that its great to hear so much support for local artists and bands, in English OR Singhalese OR Tamil, who perform original music – of any type.

And for all those naysayers, instead of shooting down those people because of some perceived lack of technical or performance ability – why dont you try being creative yourself ?

Write your album. Or book. Or make a short film. Or blog. Whatever.

History is created by those who show up.

Peace,

Afdhel

People, is G Man gay? Is there any reason for me to be worried? I’m not homophobic, but I generally don’t fuck outside my species :)

To: Nikita

I didn’t go away. I just wasn’t paying attention. Had to fight some bigots on the TLA forum for a few days.

To: Music CRITIC A.K.A Renagade 49

Just for the record the Track is the Wanderer Remix of Romanian Gypsy done by Illia Natalia. It’s on Krishna Beats Disc 2, not Volume 2. There is no Krishna Beats Volume 2 (to the best of my knowledge). The standard version (not the Wanderer Remix) is available on Buddha Chillout, which also happens to be a much better example of the genre. There is also a 12″ trance version called the Absynthe Mix but I haven’t heard that one in a long long time.

It seems you listen to a lot Buddha Bar and Cafe Del Mar music without understanding that these are all heavily sampled from other sources themselves. Even Karunesh’s ‘Punjab’, which a lot of people think is his best composition is based on the rythm from an old North Indian poem. Even Talvin Singh takes a lot of stuff from old Indian classical compositions.

My point is, hardly any of the compositions on a Buddha Bar or Cafe Del Mar album are original. They are all taken, generally, from bits of traditional music from artists all over the world. In the same way Illie Natalia’s Romanian Gypsy, the original cut, not the Wanderer Remix, is based on a traditional Roma rythm. My personal opinion is that Nadeeka’s composition is closer to the original rythm than that of the Wanderer Remix. Perhaps you should have listened to that too, before you made your grand statement. All the chillout music you seem to so love, is in fact copied from other sources. All your stars are fake. Wake up and smell the coffee. So even if Nadeeka did copy from a Buddha Bad CD, then he’s no worse than Talvin Singhe and Karunesh and even the Chemical Brothers!

It seems that unfortunately for you, I do sometime listen to Buddha Bar and Cafe Del Mar.

So while Nadeeka was sampling something traditionally Roma, he wasn’t essentially sampling from the Wanderer Remix of Romanian Gypy. The only person who can lay to rest this argument is Nadeeka. Neither you nor I are qualified to talk about this any further. You can continue to call him a copier, and I can continue to say ‘So what? Everyone copies. Even Talvin Singh’. When Paul Simon used traditional Southern Saharan rythms in his music (and never gave credit to the African artists) perhaps you should have called him a copier?

And please don’t expose your ignorance by calling Buddha Bar and Cafe Del Mar ‘New Age’ music. I suggest you do some Googling for genre naming. Try and understand the difference between New Age and Chillout and Lounge and Down Tempo. Also check out what World Music is while you’re at it.

And also, because of the following, I have begun to doubt whether you really know Nadeeka at all.

He first starting playing strings at streets I believe

Kasun comes from a Musical Family. Nadeeka Isnt as far as I know..
Nadeekas Friends claims that He taught himself Guitar.. I don’t know How true is that..
But I know He is a Very Capable Guitarist & Charangist… He gets these Instruments from his Connections with Few Bolivian & North American Indigenous Musicians..

You obviously have a bone to pick with Nadeeka, and your attacks on him seem to be more personal and emotional than thought-out and rational. Do I dare suggest professional envy? It seems you are overjoyed to receive a forum in which you may freely trash Nadeeka. Go ahead, there are lot of people (like the one I refer to next) who find you quite hilarious. But your knowledge of music is severely lacking. Hope you know that.

To: Dilshan

If you have a problem with me at least be direct about it. Don’t say shit like

amazing how people bag things they haven’t heard of…found it quite hilarious myself…

Har Har Har…fucking funny innit? I’m fucking dying of laughter here…

And just for the record, I heard the Brass Monkey Band playing at Onstage and didn’t think they had anything to offer that I couldn’t get from any one of the new bands in Colombo. They might have improved their act by the show at the British Council, and according to what I heard from a lot of friends about that evening it seems they have. But I can’t really say anything because I haven’t heard them. All I know is that when I heard that at Onstage they were dishing out the same shit as everyone else.

Indi, I forgot to BLOCKQUOTE a few things in the above post. Help?

G MAN LIVES ON !

Adoh – Marquuueeeeeennnnndddddiiiiiiieeeeeeeeee !!!!!!!!

Now what the FUCK Im seen in here brother !
Now you are Like “Admiting” that Nadeeka copied Neda Machang ?

Aeee ? adoh , wha wrong with you machan?..
then why did you in the first place Ae , talked about this Nadeeka fella anyways Ae ?

Yako thota PisSsuda , dont do stuff like that after this Okay?
Uba num Lost Wuna pissu Jokiyek harida Ban !%

and darling Angela – Dont try to interfere into my trivial matter okay Babe !
Ill use Any words- even sinhala if i want… in order to express my true feelings much easierly…
if you posses too much E.N.G.L.I.S.H , plz try & tolerate Please. huh !
b nice to me.. cuz ive always been nice to ya okay.

Marq – uba machan Head eka Check karaganin ? Honde ..
cuz now you , by yourself ” telling Us that Guy Nadeeka Copied ! So what ?”
machang I fing this Quite Hilarious.. Oh Yeah ! I does..
If you read your First Comment abt him.. you know the one you informed Us , about “Nadeekas Existance”..
you will found it quite hilarious yourself…
Har Har Har…fucking funny innit? youll fucking dye of laughter there machan… Ane Be carefull Harida Machan?..
PLease do your Home work okay macahn ?

and finally , where the hell you been my nigga ! you took lot of time getting back on this blog didnt ya.
I think you must be searching all over Net & the place For buddha bar shit & Natali thingy Neda ?
You.. You are impossible man ! Uba Podi ekek wage Ban…
go and have some Milk.. heh heh heheeee :-0 !

try to be a Man someday… try to be Nadeeka Wage… Okay !

Cheers Mate !
Love You… & Im Not Gay.. call it Bisexual… hmm . Yes.

This blatantly breaks G-Man’s rules

If you use more than 2 exclamation points and 3 paragraphs in a comment I’m going to moderate it. Write that down.

However, I think he just came out of the closet and I don’t want to discourage him.

Morque- I was being direct, there is nothing hidden about the fact that i find it hilarious as you were bag’n a band who’s CD u haven’t even heard. The live performance at “on stage” was not the best i have to admit, they have improved so much since then. u have to base your comments on the “current” Morq, otherwise you comments don’t hold any substance. its like commenting on an economy now looking at last years results, not wise and of no use to anybody..
I have no quarell with u my friend, chill. I say it as it is and u do the same. No need to get personal here..

Hey Afdel- So good to catch u on this buddy. Hope to see u soon. I will be in SL in June so if u are thinking of com’n then lets catch up.

Cheers DK

indi- sorry machan !

Hey afdhel aziz himself!! How are you man? Are you in SL? Great to have you tuned up here. China bay blues rocks!

Angie.. aren’t we a little slow? I mean t’s amazing how you managed to survive this long with such poor reflexes. Didn’t you see my post back then? You missed my whole point altogether. I did mention in the clearest way possible how thrilled I am with their new direction. Just a little concern as this might alienate the average metalhead in SL- or otherwise. Yeah I’m talking about the 16 year old Kandian dancers in slipknot T shirts who monopolise the front rows. As nauseating as they might seem they constitute a big part of the hollow dreams’ sales and the concert tickets. Makes me feel like a retired school teacher (no offence shana.. he he) in the crowd! Then there are the old school fans who expect the Maiden/ Metallica formula 24/7. Oh fuck it. They’d do fine. I was being rather risk averse. . They’ll break the international scene going with the least odds. I mean someone’s tag line that I really liked was ‘the biggest risk is not taking one’. Whats that … JP Morgan??

Morq.. ok my man. Then I will choose to ignore you too. Sniff. Machan, even the G man makes fun of you.. You know whats worse? He makes sense!

Indi, pls mail me Shanaka,s mail address. Shana I’ll drop you a mail sometime. Gaani math ekka mala wage. Than umba pora… ekita sure ekata api dennagen ekek oone`. Eke thama ochchra mala. How is the big bold blighty treating you? Pls give H.E Tony Blair a middle finger for me.

What the hell is wrong with the two of you? Karl Marx a loony?? Machan his ideas went thru some intense whoring for the last century and a half- I thik. I wouldn’t go on to flog Lenin or Castro here.. But Marx is not the reason the red shirted brothers fucked up here. The poor bugger must be turning in his grave. Man, all this in the brass monkey launch blog??? wonder if the band reads this…anik???

Ok we dealt with Hitler, Marx, Lenin and Castro….who else now?

If you liked China Bay Blues, apparently the forthcoming work is worth waiting for. Afdhel hang in there mate. Your minion will do you proud. I have to earn some dosh – and then pull the Gratien prize winner out of my arse. Don’t dismiss me as a naysayer.

Niki machan Marx was a visionary, but he was also loony as most visionaries are. The Commie bungling merely showed up Marxism for the impractical theory it was. As long as greed exists in human nature we can never aspire to Marx’s ideals. But yes – we have drifted fairly far from the BMB’s orginal gig. Despite all our disagreements can we concur on one thing – Swinly’s gluteus maximus. It’s bloody amazing. Anybody who disagrees will just have to take this outside.

Bad scene machan I think she’s going to dump us both for G-Man and his ill constructed sentences.

Dilshan you’re hilarious machan – you should have been a career diplomate. Even when you’re telling Morq to go to hell you do it politely. Superb.

yesh marx like all great minds said some clever things and some not so clever things. The clever things he said included stuff that most of us won’t quite come to realise for a few years yet. Marx pointed out some very serious flaws in capitalism that happens under our noses today without us even noticing it. At the same time he said silly things like his theory of the collapse of capitalism based on some mathamatical stuff. So its important to filter the good from the bad and use it. Its also important to distinguish between marx the philosopher/economist and marx the orator, in order to convince ppl he had to twist and exaggerate some of his own ideas.

Hmmm mr aziz snr, so sweet of the older brother to come forward. Don’t dismiss me as a naysayer , just being a constructive critic. Ok, I might’ve crossed my civilised limits, but if the brass monkys are to reach the standard of the archetypal listenable band in Sri Lanka, they will have to do better, and especially vocally. Times have changed since you can sound like Krebs cycle and still have a following. Note please that I’m NOT putting them in the same category. Monkeys are far ahead and more importantly far more original. But they definitely can go further. They sure have the right formula for success and as I gather -the sufficient contacts. They’ll go a long way. I’m very impressed that the vocalist is a doctor tho.

Niks, get your head out of your risk analyst ass. Please don’t use any influence to make Stigmata a ‘safe’ band- I’m sure they don’t complain about the underground status. I come to SL only in intervals and they never fail to amaze me. Biggest shock was this year. I’m truly truly smitten with the new material.. What’s the story bout swinly dumping you and shanka both for G man??? Is this the same G man in the blog.. well all three of you have comparable intelligence. Why not.

Morq, I see that you have replaced G man as the joke of the blog. Rock on brother! Niki will have to kill himself over the effort he took on proving you wrong..

Since he asked, why don’t we pick on Blair? Shanaka, give him two. The other finger is mine.

Hallow everyone !

ThanX Nikita & Angela – For your Heart Pounding , Blood Pumping , Adrenaline Flowing , Daring Insightfull , Insanic,Input about
New Me – G Man …..

MOrq – Hi Machan ! Kohomada Ae ? Forgotten Us !!! mata uba nathuwa Hari palui machan… mage aga Kithi kawenawa Wage … monawa hari kiyapankooo !
aduma gane Mata Banapanko !! monada Doh, what are brutal Enemies for ha ???

Well to all,
My Idea About Blogs have been changing dramatically.. since I found my True Love… G Girl..
I Think This whole Blog is an Interesting piece – and yes, I do believe that music blogs make a difference. A recent campaign by one of the major labels involved sending a pre-release single to a number of influential bloggers. Whilst the bloggers involved were only too well aware of that they were being used as part of the marketing campaign, it did get the track (and the method) discussed in places that music isn’t normally talked about.

And on the subject of the future of the music industry and the new technologies, some shit G company is about to launch the world’s first fully interactive independent digital label – mVine. You can check out the holding pages at http://www.mvine.com but if you want more information and would be interested in coming on board as a beta tester, just email me at ggg@xxx.com. (Ha ha mama ubalata e-mail Denna! hithuwa madi – Kala Waren!) But However I think they have Launched it , so do drop me a line and If ya Checking that Out … I’ll be happy to fill you up in my Next Blog Encounter.

Hope to hear from all of you.

I Love You machangszzzzz !

Cheers – From Nice G Man!

Hi Guys …

I havent been keeping tabs in this but I was amazed to see some serious developments since the last day I putup…
well its been amazing to look at all these Blogs , all different Ideas…
and especially G man is surely changed ! man , no offence but did you had a Brain change or what ?
look.. er.. Now , We dont know you man! first sum Nut case then some superb intel bugger ha.. coool
anyway

G Man – Whats your New Ideas about Blogs anyway ? Refer to your last comment..

Hallow !

Macahng Ranil –

I’m sort of new to this “BLOG” thingy tooo . “My God!” says I. More stuff to learn. and I know I should be Civilized too… I am just inundated with all of these abstract ways to communicate, develope, and promote. I was trained as a Programmer – SO, work and making $$ meant . A real thing. LOL

In General I think…

Blogs must work. for instance I know a bugger who is selling his music via a Blog in ireland . Some fella that has a blog called The Tofu Hut placed some new tunes of ours on his site, and the stats for the web site increased. So… I am going to sit back, read these “blogs” and figure out what this stuff is. MAJOR PARADIGM SHIFT. “Sink or swim buddy. Figure out what this is all about!”

So hello, and Yeah I am going to lurk behind this digital curtain, observe, and figure this stuff out !

Cheers.

Now people actually chat with G man.. indi.. here’s your next tributary of the blog. The new g man. I will leave the first comment… G man, if you are reading this, I’m joking!
That’s a serious disclaimer.
I’m just bored.

Hallow !

FORGOT SOMETHINGY !

Hey dude Ranil my man… since you are somewhat “Kalekata Passe” , check out Latest Blasting Encounters Of Hero of our Time MORQUENDIEEEEE – My Mutual Moron Freind.
mAN We Have gotto admire guys like our Morq – with his Truly astonishing,Nourishing Intelligent Queries..

uhhhh … funny thing i feel sometimes…
Seriously,
Imagine what the world would be like with out all the evil & Crazyness.
Sometimes I think even without the evil in the world there would still be something that would be equivalent to evil (like doubleplusungood). I guess I wanna believe that the world will get better and people will get better as time goes on but its hard.
Why can’t the relationships between people and the planet advance? I simply can’t figure it out. Every year computers get better and better , faster and faster , and yet the way we treat each other as human beings still stays the same.

We’re always fighting with each other things we could work out if we just worked at it and put in time. Can’t we just have one day where everyone puts down their weapons , sets asides their feuds , and just celebrate being human or something?

People take everything for granted and I don’t know why. I still have faith in people , but I dunno how much longer I can have it for. but me , Ill remain the same . G Man. nohing will happen tommorow. that I know for sure…

Machan Morq – thats An Idea For you my freind.

Peace.

Nice G Man

visit http://www.Gmania.com

Hallow !

In this ruth world some pepole cannot understand the true meaning of Humanity…
People .. yeah I did many many harasments to you…
but now Im changed.. fully fledged.

but if still if there are yanky panky sluts who cant bare with ma eeezines,sweeetnesss.. guess what
Fuck ! Fuck Free World…

For Fuck;s Sake.Im Done with the Evilness..

Cheers…

Dilshan, peace, and apologies.

G Man, it’s ‘Fuck ‘the‘ Free World.’

Hey G Brother,

Whats this whole scene about ‘Ruth world attacking- you ha’ ?
Man , you are a seriously disturbed bastard !

Whz up dude ? not enough Sex ?

Morquendi – you are a seriously damaged bugger dude! Look I completely disagree with you on your comments on BMB Melodies…
I think they are one of the most listenable bands around..
you seems to like this guy called “Nadeeka”…Well if Nadeeka is not the brother of Kasun Kalhara, is he your brother ? Or is it you guys are involved somehow “very Personally” ? I mean very very Personaly ha ??

buddy No offence, but these questions arise, Cuz you are sounding absolutely quite Hilarious & desperate to prove this Nadeeka guy exists and he is the ultimate best.. but funny Nobody hav heard this Guy. intesting. the Most ridiculous thing is ,you saying complete opposite things in every one of your comments.. take a look.

1) you say nadeekas compositions are better than BMB while you haven’t EVEN Heard BMB.
2) You say “perhaps I should Buy the Album”
3) You say “I’m very very sorry to have missed the Brass Monkey Band at the British Council”
Man you haven’t seen them Playing their thing ! but you ctiticize…
4) You Blabber about Nadeekas Compositions… when Critic pointed Out How Fake He Is. You Say “So What” ? “Everybody does” !!!

This Is Absolute Hilarious & scruffy Man !

So On On…

Man Morquendi –

I got to agree with G Man Sharp Blast on “You Checking your Head with A Doc!”.
Advice.
try to learn something after this. Cuz now you are stuck with this Blog. You cant reply without being the Most Dumbest Blogger & the Winner Of G Mans X-Title – “ Clown of the Blog “. Nor you can leave without being the Lousiest Loser 2005 !
I feel seriously sorry about you man.

Cheers

Hi Guys..

Just had a terrible time finishing some AL papers … But Back for a lil conversation. He hee ?
I see some serious Super changes ha !

G Man – Man Man ! you seem to surprise us immensely! What got into you my nigga! Some serious commets there ha ?
Ranil – I agree with you on BMB Meoldies.. they are realy good stuff.
Morquendi – I haven’t seen nor heard Nadeeka Guruge. Wanna know What kinda music He plays.
Music Critic – I will download some Buddha bar music & see whether you are Correct.

Please people, can we have some peace and harmony in the blog.

Cheers

Hey Fellz!

I want to tell something about Buddha bar… Morq seriously Misleading you guys….
Buddha bar is a collection of finest world musics …
Artists are from every major continent.
Morq – You cant say they arnt world music or Newage music. That’s absolutely wrong…
Chillout Lounge , Buddha Bar , Café Del mar Contains 90% Newage World Music…
And Morquendi , pitty for your ignorance ,Yes there is a Genre called Newage-world Music..
All these labels/titles contains productions reflects the newage Post-modern Music trends..
Some electronic music blended with acoustic drums and strings..
Most if not All, the artists fetauurerd in these CDs are this kind..

Music Crtic – Man ! some nice observation there.. I completely agree with you On Kasun Kalharas Copy scenes / Fake stuff.
He has copied both Kitaros and also for your information Pepe Danzas Stuff too… if you remember the swarnawahinis aruunodaya theme music.. that’s from pepe danzas “end of the year” album . so yeah , it is a waste actually.

Open.

JJ

Hallow My Faithfull Freinds!

Ranil – Paw Machan Morq – Ooota ochchara Gahanna eppa Honde ? eka papuwa palila On The Spot Die Karoth ??
Adoh ! Haalparuwa…. About your query about my sex life.
Let me tel you that its perfect. And I don’t need your involvement in it . okay. Whz wrong with you nigga ? need some ride ha ?

Celina – Hi Babes. Thanx for your overwhelming views on me. I’m changed all right. and I like it. But don’t make it a big issue or else I will return to my indecent behavior. He heeeee heh (Im Laughing Loud! ) by da way if my G Girl breaks up with me , will you Go out with me ? you know I got the Looks ha ??? :-0)

Mr Paul Jacobs /Everybody –
BMB Music – this is just a crap feeling im feeling right now. But I Do think some increases in their Computer usage – especially usage of synthesizers and stuff will have to be done , in order to sell out more music and reach wider Audience. And personally for the record I don’t like their sound Engineering in the Album. I think that sucks. I prefer them more Outdoors. Basically I don’t know what restricts us – our artists In general getting those clearer Sounds western bands easily produce. I don’t necessarily see Artistic problem or Instrument issue. is it purely technical issues in Sound engineering ? if not why cant we have that crispy sound quality anyway ? is it that we don’t have hi quality Studios ? Enlighten Me Please…

Paul – but I heard their CD was produced in India…as you are involved in this production , is the situation is same in India too? But then How come then Asian Artists like Jay Sean , Bally Sagoo produce amzing sounds…

So do enlighten me on above ASAP ….

P.s – Ah! Machan Morqqqqq ! How Ae ? Ubata Kohomada ? machan ai uba Silent ??? We got tons Of Questions for you.. just for you…. plz answr them Lokay machan…

Ehenam Mam Yannam.

Cheers Machangzzzz!

Adoh !
MoRq – without Fucking The whole World…………. _ _ _ _ _ _ ……… !#^U()&#@#%%%^ ?

My Quest for some Peace in this Blog Community is Officialy ended from Now…

Now Comes the G Era! (Soundtrack Fom Terminator II PLAYING!!!! DADAM DAM DADAM ! DADAM DAM DADAM ! )

Morq – Prepare for the Ultimate cRUELTY !!!

eeeeEEEEHHHHH Ha !

G eers!

Music Critic A.K.A Renagade 49

Hi Guys !

Morquendi – Im Busy With My CIM Exams.. . O0h yes . I Found your Reply to my Query is somewhat very Entertaining. I think For Many People It was…
Dude Hold On I will answer you, Oh Yes I will …
I fear I wont have anything to inform New , since G Mans taking over … Some good points are there my freinds … So You Morquendi – just hold your breath till that happens…..

JJ – Thax man for your new observations On Kasuns “Copy Cats” .. ill get back to you ASAP.

Cheers

Hi Machanla !

BMB is Good. But sad to hear they have Recently have desolved the band…
this is a very vast rumour going around among freinds of mine that they have actually desolved the band…
Dilshan & Mr Jacobs is this true ?

if this so indi I suggest you should stop this blog immediatly..
I suggest you start a new blog called “why all the good bands are getting Desolved pretty soon “?
something like that will do..

sad to see these guy falling apart… just like Krebcycle,Indi Sqaure etc…

Shit!

Guys !

Im after some time…. But heard the disturbing News… BMB is Desolved?!??.
people is this true? im shocked!
I beleive Chandares news is correct.. I thik Afdel gave us a hint but no body understood that.
he said something about “members starting some of their own bands ” …

Chandare II – if you are refering to afdels query please inform us more about this recent news. asap!
Paul and DK – is these News are based on an Actual Scene ?.. please inform us imeediatly. dont let us be in dark.
Its sad. but I think We can face it …

Hallow WO WO !

BMB IS DESOLVED !

Chandare II –
I just checked your query with a friend of mine right after seeing it…
Guess what. I got a official news update from someone involved with the m entertaintment.
I tried their web site but its not working either..

Jeramaya sadly I think Chandare II is right.

Im shaking… No Seriouly Im Upset.

BMB – So Long Guys !

Man indi – seriously cant you find this is true or not ?

Hey what am I hearing… BMB Desssolved ?

Is BMB is actually , truely dessolved ?
I think this is untrue and its unlikely tooo.
look all – they just relesed their debut. will they desolve so soon ?

naH ! I DONT THINK SO !

I think this is Crap.

Chandare – do not mislead people giving false comments.. thats sick.

cheers – hail da monkeys!

anybody who is involved with the Band !
please let us know whether this disturbing news is True Please…

Hi

Suganthi and to all.

Im telling you what I know.. Facts.
I Beleive BMB is Officialy Dessolved. I also heard their Contract with M entertainment is also terminated.
heard this is a some record label issue or something..
if someone knows something Concreet – do let me knoe too..

G Man – How the hell you immediatly go to know they dessolved ? telepathy my freind ?

Hallow !

Pissu Chandare II- thone yako dan keewe band eka dessolve kiyala ?
ae yako thota pisssuda ?
who is this disguised and pretending Chandare while informimg us about BMB dessolvement…
mmmm… Mo..rr …qqq..u..e..nn..d.I wath da???

ADO h !

People People PLease be serious…

If the Band is really dessolved , we have to know the reasons for that..

I think Suganthi is right… BMB wasnt anyway suppose to dessolove? init ?
Please Jacobs or Dilshan (only if you are ware of the true facts) Should clarify or Verify this Information…

Im truely Shocked !

Im truely Shocked !

People People PLease be serious…

If the Band is really dessolved , we have to know the reasons for that..

I think Suganthi is right… BMB wasnt anyway suppose to dessolove? init ?
Please Jacobs or Dilshan (only if you are ware of the true facts) Should clarify or Verify this Information…

oh my god this is scary, people killing bands even before they’re born! no that is just bullshit where ever did you guys get the info about BMB being dissolved ??? please stop spreading it, the band is very much together and we have just managed to put up a website as well so do let us have your comments . the site is http://www.thebrassmonkeyband.com and any further developments regarding the band would be posted on the site

thanks for all the support everyone

paul

WO WO WO people, hold your horses! Nothing has happened. It has always been discussed that when Aadhil starts his intern period as a doctor that the band would perform when ever possible. It was actually suppose to have happened early this year but luckily it didn’t and the band got to launch the album with him there. They are very much together…

Paul- Hi first of all, its funny to actually catch u on this…hope all is well with ya.. Just one comment though. The web site is not upto the standard. Who developed it? An interative web site these days requires the use of flash and other innovative ideas, this site has none of that. Also the graphics are poor and the copy is weak. It is not consistant throughout the different pages as well. Just a few pointers to the designer of it. I think you should take it off and upload it when it is complete, it will do the band’s image a lot of harm if it stays on in that state. Sorry didn’t mean to sound negative at all, I’m sure a few people will share my opinion on this forum.

Morq- No need to apologize budy, you haven’t offended me personaly. All is well…

Dilshan hi,
good to hear from you dude and yeah it is funny to catch you up here. i’ve also been following up on your blog battles, it’s really quite interesting to see so many people with so many different views showing up at a BMB blog! ok about the website i have clearly mentioned that it’s a test site and have made note of your comments and will pass them over to the site developers. There are some restrictions though, at this point we are not in a position to use a flash loaded site as then it becomes really slow and heavy for this region. Being in Australia you may not experience this problem but here we have got to hit a balance between putting up a technically challenging and user friendly site. I do not think we have done any damage by putting up the site the way it is as we’re going to be constantly working on it based on the reactions we get, so infact the designers would not have known it was shit if we had not put it on and got your reaction in the first place! so go ahead flog it and give us all your valuable comments !

G Man – I think you have singlehandedly brought about a sense of humour to this blog ! great work dude, but do be a bit more cautious about declaring people dead before reading an orbituary ! the BMB ain’t dead and won’t be for a long time to come ! Regards your query about the quality of production it’s as simple as this, you are trying to compare a Hyundai with a Rolls Royce ! The quality of equipment and infrastructure available for audio production is pathetic to say the least, and to even come by a qualified sound engineer would be like hitting the Jackpot. If you know of any production from South East Asia that sounds better than the BMB I would gladly work with them. To make matters worse this area of music (English music that is) is so undervalued and underdeveloped in this region that it’s a miracle that we actually have this album out! The people you talk of like Jay Sean and Bally Sagoo are produced in London at a minimum budget of $750,000 for audio alone, so if anyone could come up with that kind of money I would guarantee the BMB sounding as good if not better than anyone you have mentioned. We’re still third world brother and have not yet reached a stage where any of the big audio manafacturers think it worth it to establish quality consciousness in the region so we have to rely on the artistic content of people like the BMB to attract their attention. As you have rightly pointed out this is an area that fortunately we are not lacking ! I hope this answers your questions

keep writing in

Paul

Hallow!

Adoh Chandare II..

Bakamoona . uba thamai meka dissolve kiyala kiwwe !
halparu Bassa!!!

PEOPLE – BMB IS NOT DISSOLVED ! Be Happy happy happy !

Paul – mind you that Im not the one who said BMB is desolved in the first place. please check Chandare II before you put anything.

Paul – I checked the site. just dont like it. its a very basic site. for your humble information.. Im a programmer my self.
I simply cant admire this Primary Web page. my personal belief is it gives a realy bad meaning to the BMB.
you see bands like hallopointhalo , stigmata , bathiya santhush has put outrages web deals.
I think BMB deserves the same.. besides tel me who doesnt use advance scripts like XHTML , ASP , JAVA ?
Paul I cant certanly agree with you on your argument on” Internet Speed and Technical stuff “.
please dude.. that is certainly wrong ! people in sri lanka Hardly creates a page which dont have Flash or other advanced scripts …

I think Most will agree with me on above comments…

DK – whz your openion ?

I have to go for some work now.. Ill write you more on this.. please send in your reply.

cheers.

p.s – Im happy BMB isnt Dessolved. truly. no bullshit.

*dilshan, paul*: please don’t use Flash on the site, it doesn’t show up on Google and turns an interactive website into something static like TV. There’s no way that bloggers can link to individual pages or really work with a Flash based site.

I would recommend using a Content Management system like WordPress to make updating the site easier, and enable comments. This site and Kottu run on WordPress. Mahangu and Vessess and myself do that sorta thing as work, and I’m sure your web designer could figure it out.

Indi- I’m sure the section that u require can be created in wordpress and the rest in flash. The site has to be involving, a basic site won’t cut it in this day and age. As a blog, yes wordpress seems a good idea but as band that has to compete in the internet arena with other bands too the current site is in the stone ages.

check this site out http://www.lamborghini.com. This will give you an idea of how far back the current site is. I’m not saying the BMB site has to be designed like this but here are my reasons:
1. The world is about progression, therefore if you don’t keep up with the trends you just look bad.
2. When launching a site you have to be damn sure you’ve got everything right. Sorry Paul i have to disagree with you. The fans out there shouldn’t be g-pigs, they are fans who expect the same amount of creativity and flair from a performance as they will from the site. Therefore private testing is the key, circulating pages via email to a few people rather than publishing it and asking for their opinion.
3. Its all about image and maintaining it in all mediums. I’m not saying that you need to splash flash all over, you need to find a strong theme and build on that. Just having raw facts about BMB won’t do..
4. Pople are prepaired to wait for a good site in SL. You need to make the visit and experience for the fan who enters the site. Slow internet speeds are a hinderence but if designed correctly it won’t be too slow to keep someone from visiting.
5. The site is a relflection of what the band is about. Until u crack a theme and work around it or make it interesting, it will not attract a 2nd visit thats for sure nor reflect too well on the band. for example if i were to check the BMB site now without ever listening to their music i would think they are a bunch of kids. Where as if i checked out hallowpointhalo.com i will at once understand what they are about, their music is sampled in the background and their text very precise. Your experience of the band is consistant throughout all mediums, just like a good advertising campaign is.
All i’m saying is that the design of the site is not doing the band any justice and should be seriously revamped all together; not at the expense of the fans. Or else u need to find another designer…

Ps- excuse the spelling errors, had a late night..

dilshan & indi,
thanks a ton for all the input, will follow up and keep you posted

sorry its hollowpointhalo.com, my apologies…

Paul- No worries mate, glad I can help..

Hi Guys,
I AM the Manager of the Brass Monkey Band and the personal assistant among other things to Aadhil Aziz :) I have been reading all of you guys’ comments for weeks . It’s quite hilarious.
Anyway just to let you guys know that the band HAS NOT dissolved . They are very much together. They are working on some stuff at the moment and will be playing another gig very soon. So chill you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Mrs. Aziz… I must say you are doing a bloody good job! loved the pics of the concert. Where the hell have u been? miss u girl.. will be there on the 21st so lets catch up then…

Hello!

What am I seing Now !!!!
DK Hiting On Azara Now !
or are they been involved some time back ???
What do you mean “Miss u girl ” ” Lets catch up ” !

A Secret Affair I Guess !

Aadhil Azees will be Pissed!

Hey Guys.

Chandare II – you are a Disease in this Blog Community ! FUCK Off without breaking affairs and insulting & misleading People!

So happy to hear that BMB isn’t Dissolved. I see G Man is apologizing and pointing his finger towards Chandare II.
But Why someone put-up something like that ?

Well,

I don’t like their New Web Page guys. I believe in Dilshans and Ranils Theory. I say my kid has a better page in the Net!
Yes it’s hilarious.

Just tell me whats Right in that Web ? why would anyone/you tend to go back to that ? I don’t think anyone who visited that will go again.
Paul – Please Please Alter the Web Site. Don’t have a page just for the sake of having it. Be more creative. Or Get People who understands monkey music and who are capable of designing web pages. The both are Vital.

Cheers.

HI

Okay. BMB isn’t disbanded. Koool. GOOOOOOD!

Paul – Hi. Yeah I checked the website out. Machan very sorry to say but Im simply shocked. Who designed this anyway ?
Look, to me it’s a very very ridiculous site… and I completely agree with Dilshan. Who ever Visit this not knowing what BMB is will surely think these guys are bunch of kids who are trying to get a grip..

1) I don’t like the colous.. please there are much work you can do in here…
2) Forget about Flash.. but plenty of other options are there! Xtended Html , Active Server Pages are a very good options..

3) Look bro I agree with you partially on the Connection speeds and stuff. Theres some truth init.but we cant simply forget the fact It needs to be Graphical.. what you have used in the web is , “just adding photos and all “ . there isn’t any actual graphics at the web. Please Its simply ridiculous to put a web like this to a band whos going to places , as far as im concerned.

4) And please tell me where is that Serious BMB Image which we get from the CD Music, in this Web ?
5) Please do check pages like hallopointhalo , stigmata .. they convay what they offer probably more in the Net than what they play!

6) Final Question.. are Monkeys are aware of their” so called WEB Page” ? I Protest. Monkey me!

Please look into these matters. And by the way , I believe you are a very Experienced Producer.. that’s what really gives me creeps.
Please use your Imagination and put up a “WEB SITE “ Please. Not a Children Scarpbook thingy.
Sorry if im sounding brutal. But actually I’m a nice guy, when it comes to admirable things.

Cheers

Hey PEOPLE!

[Performanships, I Give up ] – BMB Dessolved ! Not Dessolved ! Im confused. What on earth is happppening!
G Man , Chandare II – Stay out of Disbanding Bands & Affairs Please.. You guys S.U.C.K.S !

WEB Page – I don’t know which moron designed this . can I see this person Pleaseeeeeee!
I want to give him big thank for designing the “Cripples Site” of the Year !
Oh yeah , I visited hallopointhalo.
Some decent We mastering is there. May be this “Primary web page creator” can learn something out of Halo!

I strongly believe Dilshans arguments are true. Who ever goes their will think these guys are some Crazy Kids , who just learnt to design their web page… basically site its self is a BIG insult to the band. Doesn’t convey their Message. And the funny thing is some links aint working too.
What kind of professional Band put up their Web without designing it fully?!
Colors Sucks.

Overall
Paul – please get a person who can actually design Web Pages. Not One year Old Childrens Entertaintment Zones.

Ciao.

Hi D!!!!!!!!
Where have YOU been??? I am so busy with work and also the band of course. Thank you so much.. Yeah the concert went really well. Credit goes to Mahrajah and Paul as well. Lets catch up when you get here. How have you been?

P E O P A L Z !

Thank God. The Brass Monkey Band Isn’t Dissolved Then..
G Man – man Im leaving out my hopes in you dude. Stop doing things like this.

Chandare II – who is Chandare II ? is it really You Marquendi ?

DK – I agree with you Fully! It is a Kids Site. first time goers will begin to believe in Bullshit.

Ranil jEROMAYA & Dilukshan– I agree with you on your views on the Web Page. I Hate it. But My Sister likes the Home page Photo. And that all she like, mind you!

Paul – Hey Producer man. I Love Monkeys. But I simply don’t like the Monkey work on the Net. It just simply Not right. Its Soo wrong. I think you need to give a certain whole different, Bold and Graphical twist for the page ASAP.
its Hilarious , your designer uses different colours in every page. To me it sucks. And Do believe me , I know something about Web Designing too.

What I believe is that ,your guy doesn’t knw the very basic rule in web production. Theme Colour – Background colour.
Effects in the galleries. Paul , its not nice to put some photos in a web and just put it in the net. You need plenty of Test runs. And also its foolish to publish the site and request our comments about it. The key is to request few people and keep it in a test server or a test Lounge.

But Im really happy in a way you requesting us to put our comments about it. Thanks a lot.

So please DO change the Site , Before it creats a Such a Bad impact on Monkeys and their Music , which I Believe cannot be Reversed back!

Cheerrio

P.s :- Paul – Do Reply ,without just saying” Ill take it into Consideration” . He hee :-)

Celina Hi,

Thanks for supporting my comment.
I completely agree with on Impact a Bad Web can do. Mr Jacobs will have to look deeper into this matter.
However please go and serach “SL Artists at Google”. there furthermore ,you will find web stuff which supports my comment.

Azara – I would love to get your insights on the Brass Monkey Web Site… has monekys seen this ?
or is it just a test run , without Minkeys knowing it. cuz if I were a part of it I wouldnt reckon what this Web Designer maniac is doing with their Style of doing things… please Do comment.

Cheers.

Hallow!

Howdy Partners!

I agree with many Ideas/Views put up by many different, brainy, individuals.
As you know Im a Brainy bugger myself, I love to give my Daring, Intelligent & Insightful views on those.

Chandare II – I have reasons to believe that you are Marquendi , indeed! Stay out you Fuckin Moron. Don’t try to do with Monkeys Okay, you PUNK! Sorry machang. Tharaha wenna epa , honde.

Azara – Im Not involved in any manner talking about you and Dilshan K.

Lazaros – You Sucks Man. Im NOT anyway involved in talking about Dishans or Azaras Affairs or BMB Disbandment!
Go Fuck somewhere else. mayb chandare – you Prick!

Lazaros , Ranil , Celina babe – I Love you, Celina. Wanna go out with you sometime babe.. I was thinking about you all last night, which made me to go to Lavatory three times ! think about it , Three times. You like it ha, you Naughty Girl :—–0)

NOW WEB SITE !

TO :-
Paul Jacobs A.K.A Producer of the Colombo’s Hyped Sensation The Brass Monkey Band :-

WEB Page is still there… now you see many people are talking about it and I don’t see ONE Good thig about the Web.
Which means still aint Rocking Like Monkeys. Dilshan naild on the Head saying , it’s a Kid site. And I see many people had put up their consensus about it so I want be sayin it’s a Kid Page. I would Say it’s a Under 12 years old Complete Kid Package.
I would say Its one of the most stupidest & probably the worst site ever built for a Band in Sri Lanka.
Dude, just take a give a damn good look at it will ya. See the first link leads to a Blue first Page.. then Their Stupid Yellowish Profile sort of thing..
Thirdly, the Colony sort of thing etc… its all wrong my Indian Brother. I don’t know how Celina knows about Webs. But she is surely sounding right , telling you about the Theme – Background Policy… these are Basics indeed.. (Celina Call me Okay ! Call me then You and Me… er… Basically we can discuss this even furthermore…Okay!##$$$)

Its funny … but I see this too. Someone involved in the web production have understood the Theme. The Link Names reflects that. You see words in the blue page reflects that too. But guy who designing the thing seems to be the problematic factor. I don’t think he is in Sync with BMBs Music Or Theme Ideas.

Paul – Okay Forget about Flash. But New HTML Versions , Script languages , Modern graphics wont slow down the Site Loading speed.
Basically, why would this Band/you Want to have a Web Page if they aren’t prepared to give the Best Shot?
This gives me creeps. Why would have a Web in the First Place Then , if it doesn’t serve the purposes?

Talking about Modern Graphics, if you take a good look at some other Great sites , Im sure you can find plenty of sites which has much faster Homepages with stunning Graphics.
You see Paul , tell your Guy , the key is to reduce then file size and Increase the Quality Graphical Input.. If he cant do these or If he cant take the challenge – Just get a guy who can actually design Web sites.

Im sorry If Im sounding “triggerd”. But on tech stuff I simply cant tolerate even the trivial Mistake.

Paul Bro – send in your views.

Celina – Call me patiyo !

Sreec.

Ooops Sorry !

Cheers indeed.

Chandare II- Yup we are hav’n a secret affair on an open blog. good one buddy! ;-)

Az- Loads of negative vibe on the web page babes, you need to take it off and put it up when its complete. Its seriously doing the band some damage. The thing has to be completely re-done. Have u asked Desh for any input on this, he will be shocked if he sees that.
I will see u in 2 weeks, lets catch up when i land.

Cheers DK

G-man- you are just about the funniest bugger i’ve come accross online! somewhat dif’clt to understand but you crack me up nevertheless!

Hey guys,
Like Paul said this is just an initial test run. Nothing has been finalized in terms of design etc..We just wanted to get as much feedback as possible . Comments will help a great deal. Yes, the monkeys have seen the design and conveyed their comments to Paul . We always get Desh’s input on designs and i have already spoken to him about the website. Don’t worry. In the end it will all look great. Please don’t panic guys.

Dilshan!! Az!! E mail each other you wankers…:)

I must say Azhara Aziz has a much better ring to it than Azhara Raban.

Heh heh.

Ah. So there is someone who actually knows me.;)

Hallow Dearest Blog Community !

Azara – I know you……
Im writing this in so..ooo…ooo uhhh Painee….
heres my sad story..huh..gulb..gulb…gulb…HiK!

Azara Dear – I beleive that you can remember me… cuz I Know you from your tender years… can you , can you … remember how I holded in my arms when you are just about …er…er… this much taller… I remember you always managed P in my pants… wo wo now dats must have triggerd you ae ? init??? then can you remember how you shouted ” … Uncle G….G mama… talagoyyaa… Oyiyata bath Kawada ” .

These word always linger in my innocent shaking heart girl.. uh! this is realy hard for me…. eeer ..uh …uh .uehehuhehhehehkukhuh…. haaawww!!>>?*(^(%^^$%@^^@% haaawww*%&^#

We should catch up soon.. Little girl… hang in there.. Uncle G is comming to rescue you from this Miserable and utter ruthless Internet world filled with Pornography… now now dont ask me what is that big word suppose to mean… be a good girl and go to bed.. that is a very bad word , which you arnt suppose to know….

Hush.! cmon… hurry up…

but please do gmail me…

Geers please !

Shatternd Sadned Shakend

Sad G Man….

ok i get the idea the site is off thanks everyone, will get back when i’m out of hospital!! this is a helluva beating, but it’s also great to know that sooo many people care about the BMB website

BEAT THE MONKEY:

Hi Paul, long time no chat.

Checked existing site. There are photos there from our shoot at the gig. Would appreciate very much if you could please credit the photographer, Aingaran Pillai and link to his site http://www.paraffinpuppet.net as we discussed. Not polite to use a man’s work without crediting him, no?

The site itself is very odd. When we did the design work for you on the album we presented you with a very clear aesthetic in terms of typography, colour and visual elements. Seems like despite us poor buggers doing all the hard work for you, you’ve chosen to re-invent the wheel for the site design. Curious about the rationale for that as it’s not a very good wheel, frankly.

You’ve got a whole bunch of images to use from the album artwork- the CD cover, the front of the poster, the back of the poster, the reverse of the jewelbox and the poster at British Council.

Additionally, would appreciate it if you could keep us informed of any changes you make to the original artwork we provided.

I understand that it is now out of our hands but it’s just good business sense to inform your design firm that you’ll be running their work in crappy low resolution with an amateurishly constructed Vitruvian man/ ape hybrid clumsily superimposed on top of it. Know what I’m saying?

Good luck with site development. Get better soon and give us a shout if you want to chat about new site.

Hallow!

Paul – whz wrong with you my indie, bare chested , drunken , NOW Sick & Ill Nigga ?
whaz it mate ? you got ill suddenly… may be seing all these queries about the Website did the thingy ha !
Get well man… I gonna need some answers from ya bro.. keep my answers posted asap.

Neways, My Homies and sluts …
Just wanted to add something to what Desh already inform you…

1) BMB site is not Enroled at either Yahoo or google.. its good . its bad.
paula , if you are happen to creating a “WEB Page ” soon for the monkeys , you better tel your moron web designer or the guy whos doing it to remeber this maan.

Okay. Paul get well soon. Azara dont angry with me. DK keep it real bro.

Caos.

Paul – thanks for admitting the fact that the site is off. if you are putting the future site on a test server or whtever do inform us.

????? – Azara & DK ??? how can this be? when ? …if im not mistaken Azara you are married to Aadhil right ?
are you seriously in with DK ? no Fun intended, man im getting confused n confused day by day from this blog.
well…er…errrr…. may be since aadhil is away , somethings are happening ha or can happen isnt it?!? heh!:-()–
dude DK please keep us posted then. AZ with him or anyone let us know Okay. ha ha . maybe we can help you out.
Jesus Ive been Naughty !
Shit! sorry DK , AZ was just thinking of the possibilities….. he hee.

Paul – Im afraid G Man is correct in saying your “WEB Developer” (I dont whether that is the word to call him !) .
the site is not listed in Yahoo or Google.. in future please add them.

Cheers.

Dilshan – you are the man machan… you always cunning to get the lone woman arnt you… you M:F_ _ _ _ _ _ !
Getting the woman , who is desperate… Howdy man Howdy!
man Im gonna worship you.. if this is it ! this is it man!
but be carefull guy is a Doctor you seeeee. he knows tricks and tactics!
He – Managers for She – Managers !!! Kool scene.

Desh – Hi dude. thanks for your comments. we really admire it.

Guy watch Sex and the City. or Unfaithfull II. this is hilarious.

Cheerio!

This is Marquendie.Hey you Monkey Worshipers!

I dont care who secretly fuck with who in here or who backstabs who…
what do I care.. its just how world works felars…
One man leaves and comes another. as guys we have desires. so is women. arnt they human beings ?
everybody has a right to do whatever they feel is right without hurting the society.
to me this is a very trivil , day to day matter.
So just leave Azara and DKor who ever out of this.. im sure they will deal with this.

Simply Paul, the web is not most becoming.
I suggest you cahnge it ASAP. also sorry to hear that you are sick. get well soon.

cheers.

This is Marquendie. Not Morquendi.

oh my god, i switch off this blog for an hour and this is what it has come to. sheesh!!! Whats wrong with you people?!!!! Az and I are very much committed to each other’s partners! She has been a dear friend to me for years and is more of a sis to me than anything you vulgar buggers are going on with. I know you guys are pull’n my leg here, but just for the record, we are good buddies and NOTHING MORE!!!!! SHEESH!! I turn my back for a second and this is what happens. Funny how this has to be in the “On Sri Lankan Girls” discussion. PEOPLE!, please focus on the band here, slander me elsewhere…Chandare, be careful buddy, she is a good friend of mine and she won’t appreciate what u’ve written up there.. Ranil, chill dude, your confusion is freaking me out. I DO NOT FOOL AROUND WITH OTHER PEOPLE’S PARTNERS! I AM A HAPPY, COMMITTED MAN!

Hey Desh- good to hear from u buddy. I knew you would freak out, understandably so. Was shocked when i saw your artwork trashed. Lets catch up soon..

Sadly Dilshan…this is Colombo. Fucking gossips who can’t even fucking spell. This is how all the shit hits the fan. Without anyone responsible even farting.

Desh your professional indignation is almost scary…!!

Deshan hi,
i’m really really sorry about what has happened, the truth is that I have been in hospital so things went a bit haywire without my supervision. I must say that you did an incredible job and thanks to you the BMB looks great.

Just for the record I’d like to add though that you never did anything for me, cos neither am I being paid for any of this nor do I have a stake in the sale of the album. I did all of this and continue to do so because I see an immense potential in taking the music of BMB to the rest of the world, and having travelled quite a bit i’m sick of seeing bands on this side of the horizon trying their best to sound like the morons in the west. So BMB was like a breath of fresh air and to be absolutely honest I have personally sunk in loads of time energy and money into this project without expecting anything in return.

Anyways I’m really sorry that it had to come to this cos I would have prefered to have talked it out with you rather than address you on this blog, but since you had come out so strong I thought it would be best to clear the air. Will take extreme care to make sure things work right from now.

Thanks once again for all your support

peace

paul

Shana, don’t worry mate, the buggers are hav’n a go at me, its all good. Funny how its all boy gossip, GET A LIFE U BUGGERS! ;-)

Paul – So sorry for everything sounding so negative up there, I know you are doing 200% for the band and its all more than appreciated. The comments up there are for the benefit of the band so don’t take it to heart. We are all in one boat, seeing the BMB succeed, so lets role with the punches and make it the best it can be. Thanks buddy, your effort so far has been awesome.

Dilshan hi,
no worries mate, i have not had so much fun in a long time so i’m just enjoying the ride. hope to see you in colombo soon

right, right, my bad. should have handled that privately. sorry paul. have dealt with relevant issues via your yahoo address. you should have got that by now.

shanaka- why are you surprised, machang? wouldn’t you be fully cranky if some sodding editor for instance messed with your article without consulting you first? changed the tone of the article? put in visuals that mislead a reader? same principle here, no?

dk- drinks on arrival my friend. keep us posted.

Hallow!

I would like to convay my serious , Heartious appologies to Azara and Dilshan Kodithuwakku.
I wont be part of any future revealings of you two in any future comments.
Thank you..

cheers. .

Hey Guys.

Im so sorry for my stupid ideas posted.
simply I got carried awaywith sum gossip.
DK & Azara – sorry about insulting you guys. I hope its Okay with ya!

chill out !

Sluts , Morons , demons & Bangets….

DK & Azara AZIZ – Romance – Love – Physical Phylosopies…

Now I know the truth. you guys are not at all sexualy or non-sexually or realtionship-wise entangled.

besides i dont have to tell you that in a sri lankan society does not approve that NO ??

Im happy for both of you. please take my deapest appologies For the damage I done.

but though I appologize I LIKE TO BELEIVE IN THAT INNOCENT TRUTH… IMAGINARY Of course ! of course.. ! of course… !

“danno danithi mewadan kimada yath”

insanely BUT Seriously,

Peace.

dudes..

Dilshan – you shud be ashamd of u r self 4 spreding a rumor abt ma sis..

all oder bugger and bloggers -
she aint aperson who wud sleep with u or any other…
let me tel u that she loves adil and they still meet each other often enough..

generaly..

plz pipal dnt use blog to indsult innocent women… leave women alone…
they have right to do …. or NOT do anything…

idiots shut your goat m.ass mouths up..
especially u chandare 2…

Azaras Sister

” Sister ” Womens Freedom Movement.
A woman Fredom initiative.

dilshan – and yes. i need a reply from you..

Hallow!

Dear Azaras Sister:-

Ahem..whz up. Im fine thank you. how are you. by the way , with all the honour I love your comment. My G Dog loves it too.

I love to join your Womans movement..

please take me in.. I would love to take part in this Prestigous Initiative & support some of the most Bravest women. I want to help them , Treat them , Especially solve their issues, Heal them in everyway as possible…
So please Do send me information about this please..

thanking you very much.

Counting on you…

Yours Truly,

G Man – A.K.A Ricky Gaminda Manilgoda.

Hi Guys.

I Love Brass Monkey Songs….
I think they are the Finest Sri Lankan Band…
Soon Im looking Forward to Release a Album with them…
I got to say thatboth swinly is hot.

And last night Elton phoned me and he was crazy about Anik and Adil…
He thinks Anik is Soo HoT ! you know Elton.. We simply cant stop him No ?

anyway Ill keep tabing..

Yours

Brian Adams.

People , Elton Bugging me again… cmon you moron – Im telling Him . but this guy cant handle the pain coming from inside the pants… shit !

So tel me the Good News Guys…

Is ANIK really GAY ?

Adoh! Machang Brian !
How Do ? Ae ????

Oh.. heres the Happy news…

well..er… to me drummer bugger Anik is bit feminish. but he is not gay..
but dont panic!
what we can do here is do some training… I beleive we two can do it perfectly yo.

Keep bloging.

Ill write you more abt gAY People in the band.

Geers.

z up my homies ?

wazzap wazzap, yo ma niggaz and ma homies in da mafakin hood !
lika BMB yao!
kiling ma salf frm init shit G man thingy sucks yoa!
help vntailation of irrigation issues..
coma back later..

Peace.

hi guyz this is mykids jack son, i luv all u little boyz espesially u da g man nigga ! do u rememba da time ? when we sucked the candy sticks ? can’t wait to beat it again !

luv u boyz

Azhara’s Sister – Who the hell are ya, she doesn’t have one to begin with! I DID NOT SPREAD ANY RUMORS! SHEESH, I’m surrounded by a bunch of poeple that can’t read nor have a life of their own. Please, i want this topic to end right now, its not true and its not funny anymore..lets get on to the BMB shall we?
To all who apologized- No worries buggers, but slam me on any other topic apart from this, we can’t afford to joke around with stuff like this because it won’t sound right if it gets in to both our partners ears (though neither of them will believe such a thing). So without creating false scandel lets discuss the band shall we?

Cheers DK

glad to see a few prominent artsists in the music industry joining us…

ok G man and everybody else i’m back for anyone who has any questions or feedback , thanks for all the good wishes

DK – Now you are makin me angry. Im Not insulting you anyway man.
Basically I dont care who you sleep with or Sleep without.

DK- I thing these accusations are based on true facts.
We all know you , you are/were BIG PLayer Man in Colobo initt ?
I guess its all coming back to ya now my lasha!

DK – Hey buddy. there is No need for you to Panic About this rumours man.
whay would you panic if you seriously arnt Sleeping with Azara azees.

Let me get this straight!

Do not Panic if you arnt anyway involved with her. but we cant simply forget the old story there is No smoke if there isnt a Fire…

so what eveer you two guys are planning to do.. dO it secretly without getting caught to mr azees!

So I wont be panicd Ever from now , if you leave this conversation by lettin me live my life.

Cheers.

p.s – Hey, Just For the Record , Im not at all involves with G Man.
I HATE THAT That Suna ma bitch fucker …

yeah. Im tellng to ya bro…
just get lost okay, without giving me headaches.

Hallow!
[I was typing somethin. some shit happend. all balnk. now doing it again. SHIT!!]

guys. I cant see this anymore.
Its been enough.
DK im so sorry to insult you in thge first place. but i intended sum lil pun.
now this is two much people.

let me tell you this.
mind you , Im speaking the truth.

Im not at involved with Chandare bugger.
this maniac is a Sick Pucker , who has lost his marbals.

Adoh, Chnadare dont you fuck with me.. go fuck somewhere else moron.
you have done enough damage.

Im sorry guys. in the first place I never expected this much thing. thats why I put up things.
any way Dk , azara – lets get on with our lives ignoring this Sick basterd.

chandare – Ill write you. wauta sec bro!

Paul – Hi. nicve to see that you have recoverd. any way I forgot to carry on my point on sound recording in this part of the world.

I do agree with your comments.
But Question.

Then How Come people like Bathiya Santhush , Iraj , Ranindu Produce outstanding Songs with almost perfect
Balance. Just be Honest Jacob. take a good look at this thing.
I would say Having a Guy like Ranga Dassanayake did the trick for them. I say he is one of those Top buggers in Whole Asia-Pacific if Not the Best.

just have a Quick comparison with BMBs Music Track with Irajs Or Bathiyas?
How different it is Man ?

Now dont tell me its “computer aided sound production”. we have heard this lot of times.
but simply , then tel me why cant BMB do computer stuff ?

Cuz paul you have to see this. the world is changing rapidly. you have to use these things like computers. cuz 99% music you here in SL right now is that much quality music. Mainly hip-pop. so people often crticize BMB for their Poor sound quality .

almost forgot. the neven recent queries has shown asian countries are much much closer or affectionate towards Hip-Pop & R and B. I think this is true.. people cant understand BMB type music , they just leves their Hopes out of them.

for instance ,I got many freinds , who are trying to understand BMB music still. but they simply dont get it. but these guys are Very good music listeners , who listen stuff from classical symphonies to Post-modern Rock , hip-pop.
but they dont beleive in BMB music cuz they feel its out of Rock!
im mean – they doint believe Their Music Rocks.

So Paul please give your comments on this. answer all please , giving enough things to think. thanks.

DK , Azara , or anyone Please Join in for this discussion.

Comon now People.

lets put this Blog in its Right Direstion Now, Shall we…

.Cheers.

G Man – Yesterdays Future Today.

Hi.

I luv Anik jayasooriya. he is so gayyyyyy.
when he jumps in that stage.. man my lil thing stated to do 90′ on a free weight!
he was so osm. he has everything a real Gay pro is looking for.

please please any one. favour me.
dilshan guy – can you cut the deal for me ?

Well done pissu chandare, u’ve caught me out based on my past reputation, very lankan of u. There is distinctive difference between everyone thinking you are a player and actually being one… anyways..

Gman- I guess the BMB does not appeal to everyone man like so many other bands don’t. I guess they are who they are and not prepared to change to suit peopl’s tastes. If they have one person that digs their music then i guess thats reward enough to make more music. Every other band has this issue, not everyone understands what they are about, but i guess they don’t care…

Elton- I’m lost for words…

Ok G man, thanks for the questions, this is really an interesting topic so I would like to answer it. Firstly I am a good friend of Bathiya & Santush and have also worked very extensively with them and also partly responsible for their sound. I also happen to know Ranga, Iraj and Ranaidu and would say that all of these people should be given credit for raising the standard of production in Sri Lanka.

I think though that you are not able to understand the difference between sound quality and perpespective. If you were to take the Brass Monkey album to any one of these people you have mentioned and even check with them about the quality of audio production any of them would tell you that it’s superior to their products simply because I had access to better equipment in India. All credit must be given to all of the above mentioned people though for being able to produce the quality they have given the facilities they work with.

But what you are trying to say here is something like Sri Lankan cuisine is better than Irish cuisine ! It’s a matter of taste my friend, not everyone has to eat pizza just because it’s easily available and tastes good ! Try eating some fresh raw vegetables for a change, you may actually develop a taste for it ! That’s what the Brass Monkey is about. It would have been simpler to use a bunch of loops and synthesisers and auto correct all of the voices and make everybody pitch perfect and very polished like the boyzone, or backstreet boys or any of those morons, but that is not Brass Monkey music, BMB music is real !

The sad thing is that the whole world is being constantly stuffed with so much American popular music which is so plastic, that we want to take everything that’s real and turn that into plastic as well !! All I can say here is that change is constant and inevitable, either you accept it or live in your own time zone. Just to remind you that even when Bathiya & Santush first reworked some old folk songs they came in for some heavy backlash from the older generation. Mark my word, someday someone like you would be cribbing about some new sound not being as good the Brass Monkey !

Peace

paul

Hallow!

Paul – I got your point. thaks for enlightning me fully!

But Just Curious…
I was wondering these days we dont get to see No brasss monkey actions. ?
why is that ? No gigs . no trailers. no nothing. Plain Blank.

I even noticed that you have released the CD in Collabration with Maharaja Cop.
So why arnt they putting their ads and marketing materials man ?

this is strange. and this strangeness leads me to beleive that either this band is truely dessolved or their connection with maharajs is terminated. are any of these stuff true ?

or maybe does BMB aint simply gonna sell CDs in SL since thats not their Market ?
Im confused .

Can I know if they are selling CDs , how much they have sold anyway in sri lanka..
I guess Not much. Cuz I went to several shops in here two buy few DVDs then I Just askd them about BMB CDs…
Guess what, these guys has never heard the Name too.! they were asking me “whats that name again?”
thats the situation.. if you ask these guys whos IRAJ ????
I guss you can guess the answer. huh!

thats the bottomline jacobs.
tell me , whats realy happening ?

Cheers.

Hallow!

Paul – has they involved Sirasa or any TV stations in the marketing processes ?
Just strange. cuz they are showing trailers of these lame sinhala artists stuff on TV two …
Im Talking about dedicated Advertiesments Jacob.
even in radio we cant hear Monkey stuff ?

What is happenning ?

Hallow!

Paul – why dont you put up some web site for BMB soon ?
if you are planning to have a web, please have a Fansite Forum..
that would be nice.

DK – do not insult people b saying , if BMBs not their taste just fuck off. I know , I know that you are saying it politely!
but still my polite nigga, it still does matter.
I think the main issue with BMB is that , their music is not that highlighted. even in the CD , people tend get either Boring or Like it. there will be only two options . Nothing in the middle. its a shame.

DK – if i feel like liking something, I tend to get romantic with that idea and start a whole discussion about it thats me. so I did gave the CD to many number of freinds of mine and they were good feedbacks , and Bad stuff two.
several freinds of mine did some serious blastings at the Cello. its too much cello involved init as they say.
and I met few people saying Vocals are not up to standards. drum and percussion queries were there two..
often people are confused whats the Ethnic instrument they are playin in this track , whats not. so and so…

So

Paul & DK – I think some these things can be easily solved when you are relesing the next CD. things like naming instruments, having a Book sort of cover without the poster. to me Poster sucks.
yeah, its artistic all right, but the biggest issue is that, people cant understand the full image music , since they dont see any artists faces or there life style in phooto sort of thing..

I thing this point is very important to look at.
just see , when you lookk at IRAJs cover. you know exactly what kinda guy he is. his cover certainly gives a good image of the Music he produce.. but look at BMB.. its cool frim front. different all right..
But does it give the message directly.. does it make people ,Tend to buy it ? is it easy to understand when you looke at it for the first time ?

basically No faces or not a single picture in the CD itself…
its really band.

fgor example , who buys the CD for the first time will not surely RISK his money for a Band who He/She havent heard of Or most importantly SEEN ???

just look at iraj. he relesed his Video before putting his Cd in the Market. Songs were Hits. thats it. Bugger sell his CDs.

People Buy Iraj :-
Becuz ,

1) they know this is Irajs Cd cuz they have seen him in the TV
2) they have seen him in the Posters.
3) they have heard his stuff at Radios.
4) etc.. etc… etc…

Basically , ample marketting is Their !

Now ,

People Dony Buy BMB :-
becuz,

1) Its English Music & they havent heard them. I wont risk my money to a Band I havent heard.
2) they havent Seen them… People tend to buy the CDs if they like their faces and I beleive it carries some gravity itself..
Seen Faces means that they Know their attitudes and Style…
3) Virtually No marketing is there. No Tv commercials, No Posters. No gigs. No T-shirts like stigs. No nothing.

Paul I can write you more on this endlessly , but Im simply fed up giving you ideas Now.
these points are you to gaze at and think on. cuz you are their producer after all.

I feel sorry for the Band, if they are Not getting the support from Maharaja Corp.

Please Do enlighten Us on this.

Cheers Man.

(ignore the spelling mistakes dude. i was in a hurry, to wrap this up!)

Geers.

Uh… some lame “pelling confusions” r there… I was just Typing in a swift!!!

Please guys – ignore them!

Paul – send your detaild ideas ASAP.

Cheers.

Hi..

Hi Elton..
Its Funny he joining a SL Blog…
But I really … reallly….
I l…i…k…e you guy…
You are sooo handsom. and i like your songs.

anyway , I too finds that the drummer – Anik is So Sexy!
every Guy lovers dream.

Bang-Gang may be with him…
what do you say guys?
J de si and me wud love to pay him… please. if anyone can post his email adress to my e-mail adresss. that wud be really helpful.

is their anyone who can cut me the deal ?
Dilshan Kodithuwakku Guy – hii. can you do me this favour ?

Hi.

Can anyone cut a Deal with “Azara” for me ?
I have heard that she is Damn Hot Hot Hot!
Love to get hold of those xxxxx….
people, just curious.how much is it gonna cost me ???

Im willin to pay the amount..
please do write to my e-mail.

G man great show, well all of the ideas you have projected are good and we had also thought about some of them. I can assure you that all of them would be put into action and fortunately we also do have great support from the Maharaja Group. The difficulty as of now is that the members of the band itself are doing some serious examinations and I would not like to pull them out at this point, but do watch out for some really good promotions coming out soon.

thanks for all the support