The rumours had been making the rounds for a while and Entity Paradigm (EP) fans will be disappointed to find out that the band has finally lent credence to the buzz. On Friday, it was publicly acknowledged for the first time that former frontman Fawad Afzal Khan — who recently shot to great heights of fame because of super hit drama serial “Humsafar” — and drummer Waqar Khan have called it quits.
Fawad’s hectic acting schedule and Waqar’s shift to Islamabad are cited as the reasons for the split. “To be honest, with Fawad’s acting career on the rise, his commitment came to a point where he thought he should bow out and Waqar has moved to Islamabad,” says Ahmed Ali Butt, who will now be the new frontman of the band.
Hence, the band is trudging on with a rearranged line-up that will include Salman Albert on guitars, Hassan Khalid on bass and Butt on vocals. The transition reminds one of the time when EP, initially comprising of seven members, first made their breakthrough from the underground rock scene in Lahore. Later, the band was reduced to five members and now there are just three left.
“Music is in our blood,” says Butt. “There will be a different sound now because I am going to be on vocals; the band is going to have a very New Age look to it.” Butt adds that their latest single “Ajab Tamasha” will depict what’s happening around the world by highlighting issues of how the media and news channels dominate people’s lives in Pakistan.
Good old days
Meanwhile, while recalling the legacy and purpose of the band, Albert explains, “Till date, no other band has the guts to be as crazy, experimental and unique as us. We’ve always had a small fan base because of our style of music but I feel one EP fan is equal to a thousand fans of any other artist.” He further adds, “Of course, things change with success — from your car to your equipment, everything changes. But EP members have always been a bunch of great friends and will remain so.”
Speaking of the change in the line-up, Albert states that EP had always been keen on releasing new music but because the band members started changing their priorities, certain things had become inevitable. “The band members grew so much as individuals that everyone got busy in other things as well. That slowed down our pace. It was kind of evident that Fawad would leave and the band has no reservations whatsoever,” says Albert. “Sometimes the band suffered because of Fawad’s shooting schedules and sometimes Fawad’s shooting schedules were also disturbed because of the band. But every experience is a lesson, so now, our main focus is the band and we’re not going to neglect it.”
Meanwhile, Waqar, who recently visited Peshawar to play for Ali Azmat at a gig, explains that it seemed like the right time for him to depart from EP. “It’s been 12 years and it seemed like the best time to move on,” says Waqar, who is continuing his career by ‘freelancing’ for other bands.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 20th, 2012.
COMMENTS (12)
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He's not a bad actor, but he did disappoint a lot of e.P's original fans when he decided to quit. It just feels like the death of awesome rock music in Pakistan.
It is really bad news, EP produced very little but worth-listening rock music. I think Fawad is wasting his singing talent for his acting career, Fawad is a terrible actor, it is only his handsome looks that is helping him in this field. I would suggest him to concentrate on his music and pursue it as he has gifted vocal qualities or you are going to hurt a number of fans of your music.
Its gud to know that he could focus on his acting now.
Loved their first album, Irtiqa, there was nothing like it in Pakistani music when it came out. I don't remember them doing much since then as a band, apart from the "Shor Macha" single and a forgettable Coke Studio performance.
What rockstar ? Call them flopstar
EP was fun when they were new. I attended their last concert here at 3rd base Islamabad and was really disappointed to see band members asking the crowd "You know there is a relative of famous Pakistani musician Noor jehan, guess who is he" and at the same time arrogant behavior of Fawad (who at one point left the stage when the sound system collapsed). I was their huge fan. They promised to release an album later in 2010 but they only released their Djuice sponsored song. Huge disappointment. Disappointment. Noori and EP define are epitome of my teenage life but the arrogance of EP has affected their fan base badly.
This was bound to happen Fawad has become way too much famous now with his acting career. The screamism and rockism has gone from the band as Danish said. It just won't work now. But I really hope and wish that it does. Btw Bolo Bolo and Hamesha = The Best :D
Sad news. E.P has and will always be one of the best bands in Pakistan. Irtiqa is probably the best album in Pakistani rock history.
E.P will be missed.
I am gonna miss his music but i hope his acting can make up for this event.
It was bound to happen. But the remaining band members should have come up with a new name as if there is:
NO XULFI=No Rock NO Fawad= No Screams
So, EP is long gone ! Rest In Peace.
RIP EP
I didn't even know they were together. They released only one album, and that was about a decade ago.