Miles (band)
Miles is a Bangladeshi rock band formed in Dhaka on 1 August 1979 by Farid Rashid, Kamal Mainuddin, Larry Burnaby, Ishtiaq, Musa, Robin and Happy Akhand.[1][2]
Miles মাইলস | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | Dhaka City, Bangladesh |
Genres | (early) |
Years active | 1979–present |
Labels | MILES MUSIC |
Members |
|
Past members |
|
They released their self titled debut studio album Miles in 1982, which contained English numbers. They released their second album A Step Farther in 1986. After four years, they released their third studio and first Bengali album Protisruti (Promise) in 1991.
History
Their first album, Miles, was released in 1982, including five original songs and seven cover songs. Their second album, A Step Farther was released in 1986 and it consisted of 7 original and 5 cover songs. Their first Bengali album, Protisruti, was released in 1991. It included 12 original Bengali songs. Their second Bengali album, Prottasha, was released in 1993. In 1994, the first CD of the band was released as Best of Miles.
The fourth Bengali album, Probaho, was produced in 1999.
In 2011, Grameenphone announced that it would release their album Proticchobi.[3] The album was released in 2015.[2]
Miles was invited to play at a 2016 concert in Kolkata celebrating India's Independence Day. Fossils, an Indian hard rock band which was also scheduled to perform, accused Miles of posting anti-Indian messages on social media during the Cricket World Cup. Lead singer and bassist Shafin Ahmed responded that his posts were not anti-Indian, were his personal beliefs as a patriotic Bangladeshi, and did not represent the views of the band. Organizers disinvited both bands.[4][5][6]
Shafin Ahmed left the band, for the second time, at the end of 2017. He rejoined in August 2018 after resolving differences with other members.[1][7] He announced at the end of 2021 that he will be leaving the band for the third and final time.[8]
Concerts
From 1979 to 1982, Miles played at the Chambeeli Super Club at the Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka five nights a week. They went on to perform on 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, in Bangalore. In 1992, Miles performed in the very first BAMBA concert. They signed a lucrative sponsor deal with Pepsi in 1995 where exclusive concerts were held in Bangladesh. In 1996 and 1998 they went back to India to perform in Kolkata. In 1996 they did a major tour in the US 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 attending. Miles toured Australia and Italy in 2008. They also went to cities of the UAE.
In 2010, Miles performed mainly in stadium concerts across the country, in cities including Rangpur, Comilla, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rajshahi, Chittagong and Dhaka.
In 2012, Miles started their 32-year anniversary tour by performing in cities of United States including Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Jose, and Seattle.
In 2019, Miles celebrated their 40th anniversary by touring and performing in 17 cities in America (New Jersey, Virginia, Baltimore, Michigan, Los Angeles, New York, Atlantic City, Phoenix, San Jose, Tampa, Buffalo, Detroit, Ohio and NY Fobana), 7 cities in Canada (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Ottawa and Montreal) and 3 cities in Australia (Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne). After returning back to their home country Bangladesh, Miles toured and performed in 4 cities (Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet) and later ended the whole celebration by performing at the Bashundhara International Convention Centre in Dhaka with Dalchhut (Bappa Mazumder), Feedback (Shahnur Rahman Lumin & Sujan Arif), Souls (Naseem Ali Khan), Vikings (Tonmoy Tansen) and Warfaze (Palash Noor) performing as guests. The members during the milestone were Shafin Ahmed (vocals & bass guitar), Hamin Ahmed (vocals & lead guitar), Iqbal Asif Jewel (lead guitar), Manam Ahmed (keyboard) & Syed Ziaur Rahman Turjo (drums).
Members
Present members
- Hamin Ahmed – vocals, lead guitars (1979–present)
- Manam Ahmed – keyboards (1982–present)
- Syed Ziaur Rahman Turjo – drums (1997–present)
- Iqbal Asif Jewel – lead guitars (1999–present)
Past members
- Shafin Ahmed – vocals, bass guitars (1979–2009, 2014–2017, 2018–2021)
- Happy Akhand – keyboards, vocals (1979–1984)
- Farid Rashid – lead vocals, bass guitars (1979–1986)
- Kamal Mainuddin – drums (1979–1986)
- Larry Burnaby – lead guitars (1979–1984)
- Ishtiaq – rhythm guitars (1979–1982)
- Musa – lead guitars (1982–1984)
- Shehedul Huda – drums (1979–1981)
- Robin – keyboards (1986–1987)
- Milton Akbar – drums (1987–1992)
- Mahbub Ur Rashid – drums (1992–1996)
- Khayem Ahmed – bass guitars (2009–2014)
- Faysal Ahmed Tanim – bass guitars (2018)
Discography
Miles discography | |
---|---|
Studio albums | 9 |
Compilation albums | 3 |
EPs | 1 |
Mixed albums | Several |
Miles (1982)
Their first album Miles was their English cover songs album in which there are songs from that time fully composed by the band itself. They had various English song numbers, they did not gain much popularity at the time as none of the record labels would produce cover songs at the time. It is a 45-minute audio cassette album released by Modhumita Music Industries and then was released in Spotify in 2019.
Track No. | Song | Real Artist | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Maneater | Hall & Oates | 4:43 |
2 | What Does It Take | Santana (band) | 3:42 |
3 | Hearts | N/A | 4:41 |
4 | Thinking Of You | N/A | 4:14 |
5 | Hold The Line | N/A | 6:21 |
6 | Message in a Bottle | The Police | 4:38 |
7 | Nowhere To Run | Santana (band) | 4:13 |
8 | Who Will Be The Fool Tonight? | Larsen-Feiten Band | 4:38 |
9 | Love Me Tonight | N/A | 4:15 |
10 | Bad Case Of Loving You | Robert Palmer (singer) | 3:13 |
11 | The End (Instrumental) | 1:36 | |
12 | Down Under | Men at Work | 3:50 |
A Step Farther (1986)
Their second album was in English and was completely written and composed by the band itself. Being the only band in Bangladesh to have English albums and were slowly becoming popular due to private concerts and people listening to famous English songs. It is a 41-minute audio cassette album released by Sargam.
Track No. | Song | Vocals | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Your Little Trick | Hamin Ahmed | 3:36 |
2 | Muse Ik | Farid Rashid | 3:17 |
3 | Either Ways | Hamin Ahmed | 3:28 |
4 | Been Too Long | Farid Rashid | 6:12 |
5 | Shadow Of Your Smile | Hamin Ahmed | 5:36 |
6 | Be With You | Farid Rashid | 5:22 |
7 | Long Last And Gone | Hamin Ahmed | 2:32 |
8 | On His Own Again | Farid Rashid | 3:35 |
9 | Take My Love | Hamin Ahmed | 4:27 |
10 | You And Me | Hamin Ahmed | 6:19 |
11 | What I Do What | Shafin Ahmed | 4:05 |
12 | It's Magic | Shafin Ahmed | 3:29 |
Protisruti (Promise) (1991)
Their third album Protisruti is their third album and their first Bengali album Miles has ever composed. A hit after its release, all the songs being 90s classics and very famous across the country. They are sung by the brother vocalists Shafin Ahmed and Hamin Ahmed. They got their first television appearance on Bangladesh Television. It is a 56-minute audio cassette album distributed by Dawn Music and was then released on online streaming platforms by Qinetic Music.
Track No. | Song | Eng.Translation | Vocals | Duration |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chaad Tara | Moon and Stars | Shafin Ahmed | 4:22 |
2 | Gunjon Shuni | Heard The Buzz | Shafin Ahmed | 3:57 |
3 | Shey Kon Dorodiya | What Kind Of Pity | Shafin Ahmed | 5:29 |
4 | Prothom Premer Moto | Just Like First Love | Shafin Ahmed | 5:18 |
5 | Shupto Bashona | Latent Desire | Hamin Ahmed | 3:57 |
6 | Pata Jhorey Jay | Leaves Keep Shedding | Shafin Ahmed | 5:11 |
7 | Asha Nirasha | Hopes and Disappointment | Hamin Ahmed | 4:58 |
8 | Din Gelo, Din Firey Elo | Days Go By, Days Came Back | Shafin Ahmed | 4:41 |
9 | Mishti Haashi | Sweet Smile | Hamin Ahmed | 3:55 |
10 | Shaanti Nai | No Peace | Shafin Ahmed | 4:02 |
11 | Ghorey Loiya Jao | Take Me Home | Hamin Ahmed | 6:07 |
12 | Keno Ora Rajhpothey | Why Are They in the Roads? | Shafin Ahmed | 4;13 |
Prottasha (Expectation) (1993)
Their fourth album Prottasha is their most successful album and was also acclaimed overseas. All the songs were a blockbuster hit at the time and the song's tune "Phiriye Dao" was copied in Bollywood in the movie Murder in 2004 by the composer Anu Malik. The song "Jaane Jana" had the exact same tune of "Phiriye Dao". The song Ki Jadu is the Bangla version of their English song It's Magic. The album is a 56-minute audio cassette album released by Sangeeta and released online by Qinetic Music.
Track No. | Song | Eng. Translation | Vocals | Duration |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Phiriye Dao | Give It Back | Shafin Ahmed | 4:53 |
2 | Dhiki Dhiki | Slowly Slowly | Shafin Ahmed | 4:49 |
3 | Neela | Neela | Hamin Ahmed | 4:57 |
4 | Kotokaal Khujbo Tomay | How Many Days Will I Find You? | Shafin Ahmed | 4:00 |
5 | Bhalobasho Jaare | The One You Love | Shafin Ahmed | 4:14 |
6 | Hridoyheena | Heartless | Hamin Ahmed | 5:54 |
7 | Jadu | Magic | Shafin Ahmed | 3:48 |
8 | Rimjhim Brishty Tey | In the Pitter-patter Rain | Hamin Ahmed | 3:00 |
9 | Shanti Chai | Want Peace | Hamin Ahmed | 5:51 |
10 | Noshto Oteet | Broken Past | Hamin Ahmed | 4:54 |
11 | Shopnobhongo | Broken Dreams | Shafin Ahmed | 5:24 |
12 | Pahari Meye | Mountain Girl | Shafin Ahmed | 4:19 |
Prottoy (Belief) (1996)
Their fifth album Prottoy is their most known album with one of their greatest heavy rock and indie songs of Bangladesh. It is a 59-minute album distributed by D-Series as audio cassettes and then released online by Qinetic Music.
Track No. | Song | Eng. Translation | Vocals | Duration |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jala Jala | Pain | Shafin Ahmed | 4:29 |
2 | Ei Shomoy | These Times | Hamin Ahmed | 6:01 |
3 | Frustration | Hamin Ahmed | 6:54 | |
4 | Ei Toh Shedin | This Is That Day | Shafin Ahmed | 5:09 |
5 | Jholmoley Bikeley | Shining Evening | Shafin Ahmed | 5:13 |
6 | Jibon | Life | Hamin Ahmed | 6:41 |
7 | Onabil Bisshashey | In Unwavering Faith | Shafin Ahmed | 4:39 |
8 | Premer Agun | Fire of Love | Shafin Ahmed | 4:04 |
9 | Kokhono Dekhecho Shopney | Have You Ever Seen in a Dream | Shafin Ahmed | 5:00 |
10 | Tumi Nai | You're Not Here | Hamin Ahmed | 5:15 |
11 | Bhulbona Tomake | Will Never Forget You | Shafin Ahmed | 5:36 |
Proyash (Attempt) (1997)
It was their first album to have only two songs in its audio cassette, Side-A having "Tomar Ashay" and Side-B having "Neel Noyon". It is a 15-minute single album distributed by Qinetic Music.
Track No. | Song | Eng. Translation | Vocals | Duration |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tomar Ashay | In Your Hopes | Shafin Ahmed | 7:53 |
2 | Neel Noyon | Blue Eyes | Shafin Ahmed | 7:21 |
Probaho (Flow) (2000)
It was Miles' seventh album which was their special edition 20 year anniversary of the band. It is a 60-minute 12 song album which was released as an audio cassette by Sangeeta and then released as CDs, then released to the online streaming platforms by Qinetic Music.
Track No. | Song | Eng. Translation | Vocals | Duration |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Piyashi Mon | Thirsty Heart | Shafin Ahmed | 4:42 |
2 | Parina Bujhatey | Couldn't Explain You | Shafin Ahmed | 3:56 |
3 | Shopnil Ei Raatey | The Night of Blue Dreams | Hamin Ahmed | 5:15 |
4 | Tumi Ki Shukhi | You're So Happy | Manam Ahmed | 4:28 |
5 | Hello Dhaka | Shafin Ahmed | 5:49 | |
6 | Priyotoma | Darling | Hamin Ahmed | 5:28 |
7 | Bishmoy Jatra | Surprising Journey | Shafin Ahmed | 4:02 |
8 | Shesh Thikana | Last Address | Hamin Ahmed | 4:34 |
9 | Michhey Asha | False Hopes | Iqbal Asif Jewel | 4:45 |
10 | Nirobey Kichukkhon | Sometime in Silence | Shafin Ahmed | 5:54 |
11 | Polashir Prantor | Battleground of Plassey | Shafin Ahmed | 5:15 |
12 | Anamika | 5:36 |
Protiddhoni (Echoes) (2006)
The first album for Miles' where they had a music video album alongside their first audio CD album. Being a popular band, the music videos caught attention of the Miles fans and they all posted it on social media and on YouTube in 2007. It is a 61-minute 13-song album with Manam Ahmed and Iqbal Asif Jewel first time giving vocals in the audio CD album distributed by Sangeeta.
Track No. | Song | Eng. Translation | Vocal(s) | Duration |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Protikkha | Waiting | Shafin Ahmed | 4:23 |
2 | Jay Din Jay | Days Go By | Hamin Ahmed | 4:17 |
3 | Jaatio Shongiter Ditio Line | The Second Line of the Bangladesh National Anthem | Shafin Ahmed | 3:42 |
4 | Mon Chay | Heart Wants | Shafin Ahmed | 4:17 |
5 | Bishonno Jochona | Depressing Moonlight | Iqbal Asif Jewel | 4:43 |
6 | Oshohay | Helpless | Hamin Ahmed | 6:02 |
7 | Rupkothar Rajotto | Fairytale Kingdom | Manam Ahmed | 5:10 |
8 | Shaat Diner Tumi | Seven Days Of You | Shafin Ahmed | 4:22 |
9 | Dupur Belay | In The Afternoon | Manam Ahmed | 4:37 |
10 | Pothik | Pedestrian | Shafin Ahmed | 4:27 |
11 | Jolrong | Water Color | Iqbal Asif Jewel | 5:12 |
12 | Kepe Uthe Mon | My Hearts Shivers | Shafin Ahmed | 4:36 |
13 | Ontorjami | Introspective | Iqbal Asif Jewel | 5:05 |
Proticchobi (Reflections) (2015)
Their ninth album was their longest awaited album, Proticchobi album was released nine years after they had released their last album, Protiddhoni. It was distributed by Grameenphone with the association of Deadline Music Records. The same year, it was released in famous online streaming platforms. It is an 8-song 39-minute audio album distributed by Qinetic Music.
Track No. | Song | Eng. Translation | Vocals | Duration |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Priyotoma Megh | Favorite Cloud | Hamin Ahmed | 4:56 |
2 | Eshona | Come | 5:40 | |
3 | Eto Noy Gaan | Not Much Songs | 5:29 | |
4 | Janiye Dao | Let Me Know | Hamin Ahmed | 4:27 |
5 | Chaina | I Don't Want | 4:12 | |
6 | Mone Hoy | I Think | 4:47 | |
7 | Oshanto Mon | Restless Heart | 4:56 | |
8 | Rockstar | 4:51 |
Proborton (Induction) (2016)
Extended Play It was named as "Proticchobi : Deluxe Edition" and released in YouTube which consisted of three of the songs from the EP. But, they added an original English song of their own after almost 30 years and they released it on an internationally recognized platform Sony DADC as a CD, and later sold as an audio album in Amazon. It is a 4-song 22-minute EP distributed by Sony Music.
Track No. | Song | Eng. Translation | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Chai Tomakey | I Want You | 5:17 |
2 | Notun Bhor | New Morning | 5:18 |
3 | Ochena Jeebon | Unknown Life | 6:55 |
4 | Saved The Best Of Me | 3:48 |
References
- "Miles is back together again". The New Nation. 12 August 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- "Miles returns after nine years". The Daily Observer. Dhaka. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- "GP launches 5 songs from upcoming album Proticchobi of Miles" (Press release). Grameenphone. 29 August 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- "Online Fire-Storm over Miles and Fossils". Daily Sun. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- "Miles cancels Kolkata Tour due to Fossils objection". The Daily Ittefaq. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- "Fossils strikes a bad note with anti-Miles propaganda". The Independent. Dhaka. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- "Reunited Miles to perform in Clean Dhaka concert". Prothom Alo. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- "Shafin Ahmed leaves Miles". The Daily Star. Retrieved 28 November 2021.