Paranoid Earthling


Paranoid Earthling is a Sri Lankan rock band from Kandy. Its music can be described as a blend of experimental rock, grunge, psychedelic and stoner rock. It was founded in 2001 by Mirshad Buckman, Shanka Samarasinghe, Asela Bandara and Dhanushka Samarasinghe. The band's EP Rock 'N Roll is My Anarchy was released in 2005. In 2014, the band underwent a line-up change when Harshan Gallage joined as the drummer.

About the band

A brain child of Mirshad Buckman and Shanka Samarasinghe: inspired to form a band after meeting in school and sharing similar interests in music, the band was put together with Asela Bandara and Dhanushka Samarasinghe as the original line-up. Asela Bandara named the band Paranoid Earthling.
Appearing for a guest performance at a local college concert in late 2001, the band covered Nirvana which caught the attention of the youngsters and made a major breakthrough in the rock culture of Sri Lanaka. They have since appeared at numerous concerts with a few international tours.
Central to Paranoid Earthling's music is the political economic and socio-cultural issues surrounding the day-to-day life of an average Sri Lankan youth. The composition derives from personal experiences as well as from contemporary political and social issues at large. Many youth have found refuge in Paranoid Earthling's rebellious song-writing as it gives them a voice. By questioning concepts such as democracy, violence, conflict, religion and social hierarchies, their music calls for social change and transformation.

Influences

, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Fu Manchu, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, At The Drive-In, The Mars Volta, Tool, A perfect circle, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Family and The Doors.

The Logo

The band's logo was created by Mirshad Buckman and depicts of an earthling emerging from two merged mohawk heads.

Releases

The sound of Paranoid Earthling has been unique and its signature melodies have been best amplified through Marshall Amplification except that each band member has a pick of his own gear.