The Sri Lankan Western music industry has the tendency to periodically give birth to icons. They enter the music scene, make a mark with their unique brand of music and live in our hearts forever. Even for those of us who were born long after the golden ages of the 50s, 60s and 70s, names like the Peter Prins Combo, Sam the Man, Cosmic Rays and the Jetliners are names that were a constant when the families got together over the holidays. Then came the electric 80s that gave birth to Rattlesnake, the Gypsies and Sohan & the Experiments. Who can forget the elaborate costumes worn by Noeline, Judy, Sunil and Piyal and of course “This Land Belongs to Me” performed by Gypsies and the All Stars?
At the turn of the millennium four talented musicians formed another such iconic band that would once again revolutionize the Western music industry in Sri Lanka. They were called “Wildfire” and they started off playing at the Jaic Hilton on Sunday evenings. Starting off as a band performing music of the 60’s up to the present their repertoire included The Beatles, CCR, The Hollies, Simon and Garfunkel and James Taylor to name a few. But there was something unique about the combination of voices and the magic of the instruments that soon had people asking for more. “As we got popular among the local music lovers we added variety by covering songs of The Eagles, Doobie Brothers, REM, Nirvana and many more” reminisces the band as we sit down at Sooriya Village (what better place to interview musicians than here right!) with Derek, CJ, Shafi and Nilantha 17 years later.
A truly unique outfit “Wildfire” since its inception has gained a loyal following that has stayed with the band throughout the years. “All the members of the band sing and play various instruments such as guitar, bass, drums, percussion, harmonica, mandolin, accordion and whatever instrument they we could get our hands on. When we put all of that together there is magic that is created,” says CJ.
Despite having disbanded a few years ago and played with other outfits both locally and globally, the four guys collectively tell me that there was nothing quite like the “chemistry” that was Wildfire. “When we used to play together there was no competition or one person trying to outshine the other. We always gave each other the space to perform whether it was a drum solo or a bass piece. The fact that all of us could sing different genres of music also meant that together we had fans who loved different types of music”, says Shafi who has been performing with his band Gravity.
While Nilantha and CJ formed “Mintaka” post-Wildfire and performed together for 3-years playing soul, funk, blues and jazz music, Derek was globe-trotting in Switzerland, Portugal and Holland to name a few. “Although Mintaka was a completely different sound to what we were used to with Wildfire, Sri Lankan audiences were not prepared for something new”, says CJ who also notes that this is one reason why the Western music industry in Sri Lanka is so limited. “Most often at dances and weddings our audience will want the same set of songs which we obligingly perform but one of the greatest things for a musician is when you get an audience excited with a new piece. This excitement we used to see when we played at Clancy’s. We would start with our regulars and then someone from our loyal fans would request a completely out-of-the-box song and we would just go ahead. We believe this was one reason why people kept coming back week after week just to see us perform. Some of the guys became such regulars that eventually they became our friends”.
It is for these ardent fans and to create excitement once again in the music industry that Wildfire will regroup in mid-February for a stellar concert. Not limited to a one-night only, the band will also perform the Valentine’s Day Ball at Kingsbury, and thereafter every Wednesday at the Love Bar, Thursday and Friday at “The Hut” at Mount Lavinia Hotel and Saturday at the all-new Odel Boulevard.
Not limited to covering originals, “Wildfire” also wrote and composed (by CJ) the theme song for the ICC Champion’s Trophy in 2002 which they performed at the opening ceremony, wrote and composed (by Derek) the theme song for the Singer Schoolboy Rugby Tournament in 2004, and wrote and composed (by Derek) the theme song for the Indoor Cricket World Cup 2004. They also composed and recorded songs for the movie “Mille Soya” which was directed by Boodee Kirthisena.
“There is much excitement and anticipation in Colombo about our reunion. A picture of the four of us together Shafi posted was enough for the fires to get started, and we can’t wait for the day when we set the stage ablaze once again”, says the band.
For those of us who don’t quite digest the “electronic” vibe that is music today, we can’t wait either!