'strings' Rocks From Beyond 'The Line Of Control'

Insync

-Staff

By Staff

Tuesday, May 27, 2008, 13:49

Pakistan's most popular rock band strings' roots go back to the time when a new wave of Pakistani pop music was breaking on the local media. The music videos, in their most basic form, had started creating a phenomenon in the local music industry, changing the way Pakistani music was perceived forever. strings scored hits, played shows and enjoyed the lifestyle of post-'80s pop stars. After a lengthy gap, they returned with a series of synthesized hits and well choreographed videos

strings started with four college students (Bilal, Faisal, Rafiq, Kareem) way back in 1990, when they came out with a self-titled album which became an instant hit with the masses and classes. After their second album, "strings 2" in 1992, the band members went their own independent ways. Eight years later, Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia reformed the group, coming out with their album "Duur" and then "Dhaani" both proving national and international hits.

Late in 2007, strings struck a deal Gibson Guitars, becoming the first sub continental band in history to create a working relationship with the famed guitar manufacturers. As per the deal, In the first video from their latest album Koi Aanay Wala Hai, Bilal is seen playing the Gibson Firebird – a snazzy red electric beauty.

strings are considered the pioneers of Pakistani Rock music and are perceived as youth icons with huge fan following. A natural choice for brand publicity strings, is also the brand ambassador for Tissot watches in Pakistan. Moreover, Faisal and Bilal were selected to bear the Olympic Torch which is on its way to Beijing. The ceremony was held in Islamabad on the 16th of April 2008.

strings is one of the few Pakistani bands to achieve international fame. Their popularity is attributed to the significantly different approach to their music and lyrics.

Their next and much awaited album after a gap of 4 years is Koi Aanay Wala Hai, to be released by SONY BMG in India is already creating waves for its amazing and unique tracks and an unusual music video featuring Bollywood hunk John Abraham in an out-of-this-world avatar. The video was shot in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by leading ad filmmaker Ravi Udyawar and is perhaps the most expensive Indipop video ever.

Shot on 35 mm, the video showcases stylish direction, camera work and special effects. The basic concept of the video is – 'There is an angel watching over everyone. 'John features as an angel who sights a beautiful girl in trouble. He falls in love with her and chooses to become human to be with her forever.

As expected strings is absolutely different and unique with their all new album for this summer. The music of the album Koi Aanay Wala Hai takes a lot of inspiration from contemporary British rock and music from 60's and 70's. It features 10 energetic tracks composed by the duo Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood. Both Faisal and Bilal have sung in the album and believe it's their best work so far.