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Bayghairat Brigade: ‘Without haters, we will be nothing’
The band talks about learning from critics and a new song in the pipeline.
The Bayghairat Brigade is not afraid to speak out and loud. PHOTO: PUBLICITY
LAHORE:
The politically-charged indie pop band Bayghairat Brigade, which became famous overnight with its hit single “Aalu Anday”, is aiming to make a comeback with a new song “Dhinak Dhinak”. In an exclusive interview with The Express Tribune, the band spoke about upcoming releases, censorship issues and the politics that fuel their creativity.
Before delving into a discussion about the band’s ongoing projects, vocalist Ali Aftab Saeed said that the band has always been aware that freedom of speech can be curtailed and that censorship is a problem in Pakistan. He recalls that even when “Aalu Anday” was made, the assumption was that the mainstream media would reject it.
“It was a gamble. We were more concerned about something happening to us rather than making money,” explained Saeed. While the band members are safe and sound and their song was highly appreciated, it was difficult for them to find someone who wanted to record them, as the content was politically-charged. “Most of the major artists who do political satire check to see if the mainstream media will like it. But we always tried to look to social media,” Saeed added.
Speaking about the political nature of their songs, Saeed jokingly stated, “Imran Khan’s jalsas only have music. In contrast, we also have the comedy element. When we have enough money, we are thinking we could copyright (this tradition of politics and music).”
Turning to their new project, “Dhinak Dhinak”, they revealed that it is another politically-charged track that uses satire to critique the state. Saeed was unwilling to share any specific details, but he expects “Aalu Anday” fans to be pleasantly surprised with the visuals which go with the catchy song.
The band says that the new song has a more lively vibe and that a variation of instruments have been used, including the harmonium, dholak and ugly snare which they hope will add a marasi element to the song. Saeed also explained that the song has gone through several phases and lyrical alterations.
“Musically, the song is commercial. We want this song to connect with as many people as possible,” said Daniyal Malik. “The content is going to be one of the big surprises, each line will have a little pun and people who hear it will say ‘oh that’s a way to think of this’.”
Malik explained that even if the band moves to more light-hearted subject matter, they aim to maintain their politically-charged nature. “Even if we do some emotional love song down the line, the political and satirical element plus the critique of our society will remain,” he added.
Furthermore, while the band has many fans, their in-your-face attitude also makes room for haters and staunch critics. Malik, however, sees this as a great learning experience and a way to pin down the wide range of views that exist in society.
“When ‘Aalu Anday’ came out, the most interesting responses were from our haters and we learned a lot about the different viewpoints within our society,” says Malik. “Without haters we will be nothing,” he added.
At the end, Malik explained that inspiration for the soon-to-be-released “Dhinak, Dhinak” arose out of the current political scenario in the country, adding that they have five more songs in the pipeline as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2012.
Reader Comments (22)
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Congratulations for this baigairati!
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The distinction between “baigairat” and “non-beigairat” has become very difficult now … any way keep singing :) !
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Had loved Aalu anday. Look forward to dhinak dhinak.
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Lets see if you guys could dare to mention MQM this time or would follow main stream media’ policy. Recommend
When you have no talents, resort to bashing your own people and receive praise from Indians, Westerners etc. Thank God these three are not women, if not, they would have be found emulating Veena Malik in order to prove their “talents”.
New York Times, Guardian and others will soon approach these three and make them the Kants (not Khans because Khans only know how to cheer deaths) of Pakistan.
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“Furthermore, while the band has many fans, their in-your-face attitude also makes room for haters and staunch critics”
Who are the fans of these three? Pakistani Liberals are a small portion of the society. Pakistani Liberals, Indians and Westerners (see above) praised three three because they share the same parochial view about Pakistan and Pakistanis like these men.
Sarcasm and satire is poor men’s method of arguing. Why not pick up your pen and debate? Let’s see how fast your arguments could be deconstructed and reduced to be what they were: mere parochial views.
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one hit wonder. Milk it with both hands boys…
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Well zeeshan, while you could have been somewhere else debating about what you really want to say, you are just doing what you dont want them to do in the first place: criticizing. its just the matter that you and these three kids share different targets altogether. you waste time here criticizing them for no real reason while these kids share their views and criticism about what they think is wrong about something they own.
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LOL … nobody discusses them .. they are non-entityRecommend
@Zeeshan: From your comment I can safely that Pakistanis dont deserve anything. They are just good critics and nothing else and Pakistanis are only good in bashing their own people and for them being blind is the best thing. His First have the quality and that is why he got a hit. Try to Appreciate rather than just criticize for no reason. That is why it is said that A real enemy of successful Pakistani is second Pakistani next to him as he will try every way to knock you down for no reason and your comment is a perfect example of that.
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@Zeeshan, Debate ?! I am ready ! where do you start defending pakistan from 1947 ? 1965? 1971? 1979? or 1999? or now …Any time in its history of pakistan you can start to defend and you will find yourself in the losing side …Try it I say!
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I just love the name of the band. More power to you, boys!
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Well guys i loved your first video for its earthy Punjabi, the satire and your guts. I hesitatingly clicked the like icon and am relieved to know that you are alive and kicking. Looking forward to your next video. Wish we had some guys like you in India our establishment could do with some leg pulling.Recommend
@ Zeeshan,
Whenever someone speaks out against injustice in Pakistan he is labelled Westerner/Liberal by small minded people like you.
Our Society has been rotted to its last breath, and we need renovate ourself. Calling our society Islamic society is insult to Islam itself.Recommend
@Syed, totally agree we are not Islamic society, but will bayghairat Brigade make it Islamic?
Please work to make Pakistan Islamic Welfare State, fake liberals will only destroy Pakistan.
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@Awans; @anti-anti; @Syed,
That’s your stereotype of Pakistanis which you turned into a national trait. Let’s be clear here: there are songs and musicians who provoked the thoughts of Pakistanis without creating what these three men did. I assumed you have heard songs like Ab Khud Kuch Karna Paray Ga.
@antony,
I am highly afraid of hate-filled individuals like you roaming in a Pakistani website. It’s hard to win over hate-filled individual like you.
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once a Bayghairat always a Bayghairat….
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GR8 news…keep it up..
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@Waseem: Fortunately we don’t have to be afraid of punks like the MQM in Lahore
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@Awans:
Please decide first, what is your standard of success
Is it getting to good school/uni, good job or business, pretty wife, get your kids married off, go for Haj, and ready to die…. OR
spend your life with guidance from the Creator & Sustainer(by pondering into Quran), and be ready for end of life, any moment!
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Let’s try this again ET mods …
@Zeeshan
“When you have no talents, resort to bashing your own people and receive praise from Indians, Westerners etc. Thank God these three are not women, if not, they would have be found emulating Veena Malik in order to prove their “talents”.”
What a wonderfully sexist comment.
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beyghairat brigade represent only 5 percent of pakistani population. i dont agree with even a single word they say.
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