Music Beyond Boundaries

This blog has not published anything related to music as yet. So, it was obvious to dedicate a day of week for the most important ingredient of the entertainment, "Music". This blog will publish topics related to music on every Tuesday of the week. Musical traditions of various countries will be published under this column.

Today, I will cover the two most famous bands of South-East Asia; Junoon and Strings. Both of the bands are from Pakistan, but have more fan following in UK and India (Indians love these bands).

Junoon (English translation: "obsession/passion") was South-East Asia's biggest and Pakistan's most popular rock band. It was formed in 1990 by guitarist, songwriter and medical doctor Salman Ahmad. Junoon is regarded as the pioneer of Sufi rock. Junoon sing mostly in the Urdu language, with a blend of Western hard rock with Sindhi and Punjabi folk and Qawwali.

Junoon was no overnight success. The band struggled financially for the first few years. After release of their third album "Inquilaab" (Revolution) in 1996, Junoon developed a nationwide fan following. The song "Jazba-e-Junoon" of "Inquilaab" was their first solo hit.

In 2004 Ali Azmat, the lead vocalist, left the band to start his solo career. Salman Ahmad also released his solo album. On December 11, 2007, Junoon performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway together with other artists, which was broadcast live in over 100 countries. In 2008 Junoon performed in Srinagar (India) for the first time and turned thousands of music lovers hysterical.

Major albums of Junoon are:
1. 1991: Junoon
2. 1993: Talaash
3. 1996: Inquilaab
4. 1997: Azadi
5. 1999: Parvaaz
6. 2001: Ishq
7. 2004: Dewaar
8. 2006: Infiniti
9. 2002: Daur-e-Junoon (Live Albums)
10. 2002: Junoon for Peace (Live Albums)

Strings is an internationally acclaimed Pakistani pop band of two members; Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia. Strings is known worldwide for their stringed rhythms. Lyrics of the songs are penned by Anwar Maqsood, Bilal's father. Kapadia is the lead vocalist for the band, Maqsood acts as the composer, guitarist and at times does vocals for few songs. For live concerts, band hire Adeel (Lead guitarist), Shakir (On the bass guitar), Haider (on keyboards) and Qaiser (on drums).

After Initial years of start and stop with albums like Strings and String 2, band decided to re-union again in the year 2000. (There were four members earlier in the Band but now only Bilal and Faisal). Band came with songs and albums like Durr, Dhaani and Koi Aanay wala hain. This is just the start of the Band from the Pakistan. Group members are in their 30's, so chances of going long are very high for the group. Apart from this group is working on various projects from movies to music albums.

Major Albums of Strings are:
1. Strings 1 (1990)
2. Strings 2 (1992)
3. Duur (2000)
4. Dhaani (2003)
5. Koi Aanay Wala Hai (2008)

Keep reading and giving feedback & suggestions for the blog.

"Its good to be entertained"

Source:
1. Wikipedia
2. http://stringsonline.net/