They started out by singing in one of
the posh hotels in the country. They did live shows three to five
nights a week regularly. They were quite satisfied to perform live in
front of a select group of listeners. But it wasn't until they brought
out their first album of original songs in Bangla that they instantly
became famous. The band in question is 'MILES' and with their fresh,
upbeat music they really have gone miles and set a standard in band
music.
MILES was formed by Farid Rashid, Kamal, Ishtiaq, Larry, Musa and
Robin in Dhaka in 1979. The gifted brothers Hamin Ahmed and Shafin
Ahmed joined MILES a couple of months later in the same year as
guitarists and vocalists. In 1982, ace keyboard player Manam Ahmed
became a part of the band.
From 1979 to 1982, MILES performed regularly at the Chameli Supper
Club of Hotel Intercontinental (now Sheraton). From 1983 to 1990 they
played at the discotheque and coffee shop of the Sonargaon Pan Pacific
Hotel.
In 1982 they first appeared on television. In that year they also
performed their first live show at Shilpakala Academy premises in
front of a 1500 strong audience. MILES brought out its first album in
English in 1982. In fact the band's second album was also in English.
Both had a blend of original and cover numbers. But that was MILES in
its early days.
The band's first Bangla album titled 'Protisruti' was released in
1991.
Young music lovers all over the country were singing the catchy number
'Chand tara' as soon as the album was out. The rest of the songs in
the album also scored big with the listeners. The band's fourth album
'Prottasha' (second Bangla) came out in 1993 and became a phenomenal
success in the history of band music. The album sold approximately
three lakh copies within a few months of its release. 'Prottasha' is
still one of the best selling band albums in the country. The band
first appeared on television in 1991 with its popular Bangla numbers.
MILES describe themselves as a pop/rock act. "We have been inspired by
blues, Latin, jazz, rock and techno music," says Manam. "So our music
is a combination of varied sounds and styles."
MILES is also a pioneer when it comes to activities related to
promoting Bangladeshi band music. In 1992, MILES enthralled audience
in Bangalore, India by presenting a three-hour English rock concert.
They were the first ever Bangladeshi band to bring out a CD in 1994
titled 'Best of MILES'. MILES have participated in five concerts in
India and two concerts in the Gulf States of Abu Dhabi and Dubai,
MILES was also the first band to go on a tour in the United States and
Canada in 1996.
It wasn't until some people actually threw a challenge at MILES
claiming the band couldn't compose Bangla songs that they brought out
their first Bangla album. "Some people were sceptical about whether we
could do Bangla music," Shafin recalls. "We've all received training
in music from our early childhood." Incidentally, Hamin and Shafin are
the sons of acclaimed Nazrul Sangeet exponent Feroza Begum and Manam
Ahmed is the son of well-known music director Monsur Ahmed. The
response to the first album was phenomenal. In MILES' history the
biggest concert till date was at the Dhaka national stadium where the
audience turnout was about 60,000, according to press reports. The
concert was organised by Bangladesh Cricket Control Board and
sponsored by Pepsi after Bangladesh won cricket test status.
In 2001, MILES was invited to take part in the 'United for Gujrat'
concert in New Delhi's Jawharlal Nehru Stadium. Leading bands from the
subcontinent such as JUNOON, EUPHORIA, SILK ROUTE and MILES performed
together for the first time. The band has till date performed in over
350 concerts and a lot of charity shows. Their next album is due
sometime this year.
Current line-up: Hamin Ahmed (guitar & vocals), Shafin
Ahmed(bass guitar & vocals), Manam Ahmed(keyboards & vocals), Iqbal
Asif Jewel (guitar & vocals) and Syed Ziaur Rahman Turjo (drums).
Album: Miles, A Step Further, Protisruti, Prottasha, Prottoy,
Proyash, Probaho, Protidhony (Upcoming)
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