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Strings (band)

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Strings

Strings is an internationally acclaimed Pakistani pop band comprising two members. The band was formed when four college students — Bilal Maqsood, Faisal Kapadia, Rafiq and Kareem — decided to form a band in 1988 in Karachi. In 1992, the quartet disbanded only to make a comeback with two of its members, Bilal and Faisal later in 2000. While the initial band was riding on the new wave of Pakistani pop music, the later formation ushered a new revival in the music industry of Pakistan.

History

The initial quartet (1988 - 1992)

The late-1980s saw pop music in Pakistan grow by folds and newer artists began emerging on the scene. Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), the only government-owned channel in the country launched a show to highlight new talent.[1] In Karachi however, things were shaping up with speed. People idolising veteran singers like Nazia and Zoheb, Alamgir and Muhammad Ali Shehki were keen to ride the new wave of Pakistani pop music.

In a college in Karachi, Maqsood, Kapadia, Rafiq and Kareem, four classmates formed a band.[1] With influence from Maqsood's father, the well-renowned Anwar Maqsood's pen, the band performed songs on his lyrics. By the mid-1990, the band had come up with a self-titled album Strings. Their initial effort experimenting with synthesized sounds and rhythms was not recognised instantly and the band fixated their focus on finishing their studies.

Maqsood joined an art school, while Kapadia travelled to the Houston, Texas to continue his business studies.[2] Little is known of the other two members of the band but it is understood they continued their studies as well. The disbanding of the group came as a mutual decision amongst all the members.[2] Two years later, the band members were to meet again and give their passion for music another try.

First breakthrough (early 1990s)

In 1990, the band came up with a follow-up album titled String 2. Maqsood realising that the band needed more exposure, advised that a music video be shot. He himself took charge of the direction of the video for the song, Sar Kiye Yeh Pahaar and handed it to the PTV to be aired on their show. The video was played on the channel in their hour long show and with not many new videos from competing artists, Maqsood's directorial début was an instant success. This decision proved beneficial and Sar Kiye Yeh Pahaar became a nation-wide hit overnight. In their most primitive form, the video and the song had created a phenomenon in the local music industry and the band scored hits after another, played shows and enjoyed the lifestyle of the post-80s pop stars. The hype was short-lived and the quartet soon disappeared from the face of the Pakistani pop. Kapadia returned to USA while Maqsood got himself a job in an advertising agency as the creative director.[2]

Comeback (2000)

It had almost been eight years since the band had last seen fame and their prolonged hibernation it seemed had erased the marks they had left on the music industry disappeared. Maqsood continued his work as a creative director at the advertising firm and had also involved Kapadia in the creative process as well. Kapadia served at marketing department for a production cell in the same company. Both had married and had children;[2] they had forsaken music for family lives still sharing a passion for it.

The year 2000 saw another shake in the Pakistani music industry and the duo saw an interest in joining the bandwagon. Rafiq and Kareem weren't accessible and decided not to continue with the band not because of indifferences but because they had settled down in their new lives.[2] Maqsood and Kapadia then decided on forming the band within themselves. Reforming the band meant they could not continue with their respective jobs. Upon counsel amongst each other, they placed their resignation in pursuit of music.

They recorded a song Duur and the duo asked their friend Jamshed Mehmood, known to them as Jami, to direct the video for the song. In the events to follow the later years, Pakistan banned channels from across the border broadcasting from India and only allowed the few Pakistani channels to be broadcast on the cable network. In the aftermath private television networks took on the task to fill the void and soon new music channels were introduced in the country. The video for Duur was distributed to all the stations that aired on the tube and became an instant hit hailing their comeback.

Ushering a new revival (2001)

While Strings enjoyed huge success in Pakistan, they were oblivious to the fact that their earlier hit Sar Kiye Yeh Pahaar was being played in India in a remixed version in clubs and had gained them a repute over the years.[1] When their new video was played on music channels in India, they were easily recognisable as the two who performed the earlier song and the song Duur became even more famous across the border.[1]

The realisation that Pakistani pop songs had a cult following in India ushered a new sense of revival and encouragement for the now established artists in the country. The local Pakistani music channels boasted this appeal and soon singers from every corner of the nation stood up to participate in collaborating with their counterparts from the neighbouring nation.

Later endeavours

Late in 2007, Strings struck a deal with Gibson Guitars, becoming the first sub continental band in history to create a working relationship with the famed guitar manufacturers. As per the deal, Strings will exclusively use Gibson guitars during concerts, studio recordings and music videos. Further, Strings will act as brand ambassador to Gibson. In return, Gibson will sponsor the varied endeavours of the band and also provide concert halls and equipment as and when required.

Faisal Kapadia is married to his high school sweetheart Seema Kapadia and they have 2 kids Armaan and Gibran. They live in Karachi, Pakistan.

Bilal is a Composer,guitarist & vocalist while Faisal is the Lead Vocalist for Strings. They have live band members with whom they perform at concerts, Adeel on Lead Guitar, Shakir on Bass Guitar, Haider on Keyboards and Qaiser on Drums.

Popularity Outside Pakistan

Strings is one of the few Pakistani bands/singers to achieve international fame. Their popularity is attributed to the significantly different approach to their music and lyrics. Other singers of international repute include the likes of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Junoon and Vital Signs.

Discography

Singles

  • Tu Hai Kahan (2003)
  • Jeet Lo Dil with Euphoria (2004)
  • OST Spiderman 2 The Movie (INDIAN RELEASE) (2005)
  • OST Zinda The Movie (2006)

Albums

Koi Aanay Wala Hai - Track Listing

  • 01. Koi Aanay Wala Hai
  • 02. Aik Do Teen
  • 03. Humsafar
  • 04. Jago
  • 05. Keh Diya
  • 06. Jab Say Tum Ko
  • 07. Sonay Do
  • 08. Jab Bhi Mein
  • 09. Titlyaan
  • 10. Hum Hee Hum

Awards

  • STRINGS Won MOST WANTED BAND Award TMA 2008
  • Their song "Najanay Kyoun" from their album Dhaani was also included in the soundtrack from the Hindi version of Spider-Man 2.
  • In 2005, Strings won best artist award at MTV Asia Awards. Ironically they were nominated as an Indian band as they sang the title song "Zinda Hoon" for an Indian movie Zinda
  • Strings Won The Musik Icon Of 2006 Award.
  • Anjaane's vdo Won The best Award From Lux Style Awards In 2003.
  • Strings Won Lux Style Award In 2004.
  • Strings Won The Award For THE BEST BAND At The First Sangeet Awards Ceremony Held At The Famous Royal Albert Hall.
  • Strings Won Special IM Award 2005 For Extensive Contribution To The Pop Industry.
  • Strings Won MTV Asia's "Most Favourite Band" Award 2005.
  • Strings Won 2 Awards For The Best Band & The Best Lyrics (Zinda) IM 3rd Jazz

Other Projects

DVDs

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d "Stringing their way to success". DAWN Newspaper. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Strings: Personality Profile". Pakistan Television Corporation. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
  3. ^ Beirut in The News Sunday, 22 October, 2006

See also

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