Miles (band)

Miles
Miles performing in Seattle (Oct 2012)
Background information
Origin	Dhaka, Bangladesh
Genres	Pop Rock
Years active	1979 – present
Members	Shafin Ahmed Hamin Ahmed Manam Ahmed Syed Ziaur Rahman Turjo Iqbal Asif Jewel

Miles are a Bangla rock band from Bangladesh.^[1][2] Formed in 1979, the group currently consists of Hamin Ahmed (vocal and guitar), Shafin Ahmed (vocal and bass), Manam Ahmed (keyboards and vocal), Syed Ziaur Rahman Turjo (drums and percussion) and Iqbal Asif Jewel (guitar and vocal).

History

The first group included Farid Rashid (Vocal and Bass), Kamal Mainuddin (Drums), Larry Burnaby (Lead Guitar), Ishtiaq (Lead Guitar), Musa (Guitar), Robin (Key board and Vocal) and Happy Akhand (Keyboards and Vocal). Later on, others joined the band - Shehedul Huda (Drums), Khayem (Bass), Milton (Drums), Mahbub Rashid (Drums) and Schumann Zaman (Bass).

In 1982 their first album was released in English, self-titled Miles including 3 original songs and 7 cover songs. Their first Bangla album Protisruti was released in 1991. It included 12 original bangla songs. Second Bangla album Prottasha was released in 1993. In 1994 first CD of the band was released as Best of Miles. This was the first ever CD of a Bangladeshi band.

The fourth Bangla album Probaho was produced in 1999.

Concerts

Hamin Ahmed in Seattle (Oct 2012)

During 1979 to 1982 Miles played at the Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka 5 nights a week at the Chambeeli Super Club. They went on to perform in Bangladesh Television. In 1982 Miles made their first appearance in public concert at Shilpakala Academy Auditorium in Dhaka.

In 1991 they performed their first concert outside Bangladesh. It was in Bangalore, India. In 1996 and 1998 they went back to India to perform in Kolkata. In 1996 they went for a major tour in USA and Canada over two months. They performed in New York City, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Chicago, Miami and Montreal.

In 1999 they performed in a large concert at Chittagong stadium with over 30,000 audience. Miles toured Australia and Italy in 2008. They also went to the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

In 2010 Miles performed mainly in stadium concerts across the country, in cities like Rangpur, Comilla, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rajshahi, Chittagong and Dhaka.

In 2012 Miles has started their 30 year anniversary tour performing in several U.S cities as Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Jose, Seattle etc.

Miles concert tickets are currently the highest priced (up to $250 USD) than any other Sub-Continent music bands touring United States.^[3]

Media

Iqbal Asif Jewel

In 1993 Miles signed with Pepsi Cola for a sponsorship agreement, which included exclusive concerts organized by Pepsi. Channel V and MTV Asia covered Miles' concert and tour news. BBC aired a number of Miles' interviews in their different programs along with some of their notable Bangla songs. Another interview was published in Janomot, the oldest Bangla newspaper of London.

In 2011 Grameenphone, the largest mobile operator in the country, launched a campaign of Miles' album Proticchobi.

Musical style

Shafin Ahmed

Miles describe their work 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."

Discography

Syed ZIaur Rahman Turjo

Albums

• Miles (1982)
• A Step Further (1986)
• Protisruti (1991)
• Prottasha (1993)
• Prottoy (1996)
• Proyash (1997)
• Probaho (2000)
• Protiddhoni (2006)
• Proticchobi

Notable songs

• Chad Tara Shurjo Nou Tumi [Protisruti]
• Prothom Premeer Moto [Protisruti]
• She kon Dorodia [Protisruti]
• Firiye Dao [Prottasha]
• Dhiki Dhiki [Prottasha]
• Neela [Prottasha]
• Jadu [Prottasha]
• Hridoyheena [Prottasha]
• Kotokal Khujbo Tomay [Prottasha]
• Pahari Meye [Prottasha]
• Shopno Bhongo [Prottasha]
• Jala Jala (Prottoy)
• Shesh Thikana [Prottoy]
• Bhulbona Tomakey [Prottoy]
• Piyashi Mon [Probaho]
• Polasheer Prantor [Probaho]
• Jatiyo Sangeeter Ditiyo Line [Protiddhoni]
• It's Magic [A Step Further]

References