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Yeh Zindagi Hai Barbarians

Rastay - Live Sketches
Jawan Aur Azad - Dhun
Rock Symphony - Dhun
Akela - Faraz Anwar
ChairsOscuro - Faraz Anwar
Jana Hai - Circle
Deewana - Arsh
Zameen - Overdrive

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The Pioneers of Rock Music in Pakistan

By Rameez Asif ( rameez@raw.com.pk )

In this second article to recognize the original musical talent of Pakistan, we move on
to explore and understand who really introduced rock music in Pakistan. There have
been many misconceptions by the media that undermine the true pioneering talent of
Pakistan . Today's popular rock bands no doubt do good music but unfortunately
majority of their music is heavily copied.

Talking about Rock Music in Pakistan the first name that comes in our mind is Junoon
because the media highlighted Junoon as the pioneers of Rock music in our country.
But if you do a little research you will find out that Junoon was not the first band to do
Rock Music. In fact Junoon came very late in the scene when initial grounds for rock
music were already layed out by so many other Rock bands in the country.

The Barbarians
Vocalist: Jamal Afridi
Guitarist: Asad Ahmed
Drums: Nabeel
Bass: Jamal Afridi

In 1986-87 Barbarians took the first step to do Rock music in a country like Pakistan
where people do not even listen to pop music. Their debut track 'Yeh Zindagi Hai' was
aired on STN and gave a new meaning to Pakistani music in the late 80's. The band
was formed by Asad Ahmed who later joined Awaz; which he eventually left to form
Karavan.

Final Cut

Vocalist: Shehzad Mughal

Guitarist: Rizwan Khan (a.k.a Rizwan Cut)
Drums: Faisal
Bass: Azam Riffat
Keyboards: Nadeem Jafri

Final Cut was formed in 1987-88 by Rizwan Khan a very intelligent and talented
musician respected by everyone. Final Cut as you know was the album name of Pink
Floyd so you can imagine what kind of a band Final Cut was.

Power House
Vocalist: Jamal Nasir
Guitarist: Adnan Afaq (a.k.a Adnan Vai)
Drums: Faisal
Bass: Sameer Ahmed
Keyboards: Nadeem Jafri
Power House dates back to 1988-89 and was the brainchild of Adnan Afaq better
known as Adnan Vai. Power House was named as the best band to cover Pink Floyd
in an orderly fashion. The band was formed as soon as Adnan started playing the
guitars and when he left for US for music education Faraz Anwar took his place in
Power House.

Faraz Anwar
An award winner from Berklee College of Music started his career in 1989 with
Adnan Afaq who taught him the basics of guitar playing. His debut track 'Akela' was
aired on PTV and STN and created waves because of its hard hitting guitar riffs. At an
age of 16 or 17 he was awarded 'Outstanding Musical Achievement Award' by the
best music school 'Berklee' when he sent them his first ever instrumental 'Chairzkuro';
even though he was unable to go there due to some financial problems.

Overdrive
Vocals: Faisal Butt (Except Zameen By Salman)
Guitars: Akbar Qureshi
Drums: Rowdy
Bass: Tabish Ahmed
Overdrive was one of the heaviest acts in Pakistan during 1993-1995 era. Their debut
single 'Zameen' was one of the most amazing tracks to come in Pakistan and gave
Overdrive a massive fan following. The band broke up because of no ample support
by the media at that time and all the band members said good bye to music. In 2005
the band was re-united and released their album recorded in 1994-95. The album is
named as ~Anarchist Growl~ and it is available on almost all the websites due to its
outstanding Rock sound.

Dhun
Vocalist: Kamran Asghar
Guitarist: Fawad Baloch
Bass: Kamran Asghar
Keyboards: Adeel Naveed

Another outstanding Rock band emerged in the late 80's and did Hardcore Rock
music. Their debut album 'Jawan Aur Azaad' was released by VCI records. Fawad
Baloch a left handed guitar player was the soul of this band and his guitar playing
really made a difference.

Scratch / Aamir Zaki

One important name which is never mentioned in the list of Pioneers of Rock music is
of Aamir Zaki who perhaps didn't release albums but he for sure did Rock music. Best
of all it was all Original. Aamir Zaki's band Scratch was one of the very first few
bands who did Rock music in our country.

After Barbarians a Rock Revolution started in Pakistan . Asad Ahmed, Adnan Afaq,
Faraz Anwar, Rizwan Khan, Aamir Zaki, Overdrive, Dhun, Live Sketches, Arsh,
Circle from Karachi and Coven, The Trip, Mind Riot, Midnight Madness from Lahore
to name a few gave birth to Underground Music. At that time Ali Azmat was busy
singing for a Bhangra band Jupiters in Lahore .
Many names in the list of artists/bands that did Rock music in the late 80's might have
been missed but it is highlighted that so many unknown Local bands did outstanding
music but they were never given credit for their hard work. It was their pioneering
efforts which paved way for the Rock Music in our country on to which other bands
cashed in.
We, Raw, would like to acknowledge these bands true sincere efforts and recognize
them as the true pioneers of Rock music in Pakistan .

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