• 25 years of Paranoid Earthling 

Whether it be mainstream bands to indie records, rock music has always remained popular and relatable to many in our country and across the globe. One of Sri Lanka’s leading rock bands, Paranoid Earthling, has witnessed the emergence and evolution of rock music both in and outside of Sri Lanka through its 25 years in the industry. 

“We have different genres of rock music,” Paranoid Earthling Founder Mirshad Buckman, told The Daily Morning Brunch. “We play hard rock, grunge and then you have the underground Black and Death Metal scene.”

Starting out

Paranoid Earthling didn’t just start out as a band that wanted to make music. It also wanted to send a message. “The music we have up to date contains a lot of references to sociopolitical incidents and issues that happen around the world and even in Sri Lanka,” Buckman said. 

The band began its journey in 2001, in the midst of a civil war, after its founding members met in school and bonded over their similar music tastes and messages. Their music not only enchants listeners but explores deeper themes such as freedom of speech, minority oppression and ending impunity. 

After covering a song by the famous band Nirvana, Paranoid Earthling made its mark on the Sri Lankan rock scene. The band then started performing in different venues across Sri Lanka eventually making its way into the international stage. 

The band embarked on an international tour in  India in 2009, performing in large cities such as New Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai and attracting a diverse audience. “If your music is true and you really put your energy out there, it'll work anywhere you go,” Buckman said. “It was a hard journey but we managed to take our band out on tour. You go to go where rock music is big and you have to play,” Buckman said. 

The challenges along the way 

While rock music has been popular throughout the decades, some may find welcoming and adapting to it challenging.

“It can sometimes be challenging over here in Sri Lanka,” Buckman said. “I mean, you want to get venues and have a good experience however that comes with its own challenges.” Buckman said that the rock music industry in Sri Lanka is an underground industry despite the existence of a strong and supportive community. 

“The rock music scene was really quiet especially after the pandemic,” he said. “Because a lot of bands who operated in the past have disbanded.” 

The practicality of being in a rock band is something that Buckman spoke of. The band’s decision to self-fund their music journey during their last tour came with its own set of challenges. 

“It definitely wasn’t financially sustainable and there was a big investment to be made,” he said. “However, we did this to get our tour going and for the benefit of our band.”

Yet, despite the challenges Buckman said that he remains hopeful, especially because of the continued support that the band’s music has received.

“I see the newer generation take an active interest in rock music than before,” he said. “And of course there are big changes in the music industry. We now see a large number of singles being released as opposed to albums as well as the rise of streaming platforms, which while controversial, helps take smaller bands to a wider audience.” 

Taking the band to the future 

While Paranoid Earthling has 25 years of experience, they still look forward to a successful future. With an upcoming show on the 17 January in the Kandy Garden Club and another show in March, the band has much to look forward to. 

“I think we're going to do a whole series of gigs in different cities here in Sri Lanka,” Buckman said. “So the next gig is on the 1 March where we will be playing in Ahangama.”

The band will also be releasing new music in order to attract fans along the way. 

“We might have a single coming out soon,” he said. “Our goal is to take Paranoid Earthling to the world and keep making music until I die.” 

Their newer tracks will feature a focus on human nature and condition, bringing a sense of relatability and realism to their music. 

Buckman and the band’s dedication to music, performance and the rock scene has not gone unnoticed. As their music continues to gain traction with fans of all ages and backgrounds, their contribution to taking Sri Lanka’s rock music into the world has paid off.