5 Pakistani bands we wish would reunite
Find out if your favourite made the cut
PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Pakistani pop music was as its peak during the 90s. Bands and singers such as Vital Signs, Strings, Ali Haider, Shehzad Roy and many others played a crucial role in taking the music industry to an all-time high.
With the passage of time, many bands were formed which later died down due to various reasons. Nevertheless, they left anthems for the people of their times that are still appreciated today. Here's a list of five Pakistani bands who were at the top of their game during the 90s, and we'd love to see them release some new tracks together again.
1. Junoon
Formed in 1990, this sufi rock band set the bar high for the others to follow. Ali Azmat's vocals were supported by Salman Ahmed and Brian O'Connells' guitar skills to give us tunes like Yaar Bina, Zamanay Ke Andaaz and Tara Jala. However, the band faded away about after a decade as Ali went to pursue his solo career. He also recently hinted at a possible Junoon reunion and fans went ballistic over the possibility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ry7y-TmhwY
2. Entity Paradigm (EP)
Before Fawad Khan made us drool over his handsome self in Humsafar, the actor was popular for the rock metal band EP. The likes of Ahmed Ali Butt, Zulfiqar Khan, Salman Albert, Hassan Khalid, Abid Khan and Waqar Ahmed were also a part of the band. They disbanded as some of the members wanted to pursue individual projects. Formed at Pepsi Battle of the Bands, EP made a surprise comeback in this year's installment, leaving us longing for more. Hits such as Kahan Hai Tu and Waqt were amongst the fans' favourites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3t1CnjaBf4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF8gpEo-xv0
3. Aaroh
Winners of the first Pepsi Battle of the Bands, Aaroh was named by Shoaib Mansoor of Verna fame. Comprising of vocalist Farooq Ahmed and other members namely Kamran Khan, Nabeel Nihal, Haider Hashmi, Khalid Khan and Jason Anthony, the band took off in the late 90s only to reach an unfortunate end in 2014. Haider was diagnosed with a brain tumour and passed away the same year. Nescafe Basement paid a tribute to the late guitarist in 2016 while the rest of the band gave a surprise performance in Pepsi Battle of the Bands as well. With hits like Sawaal, Raag Neela and Na Kaho, we hope Aaroh comes back together to give us all the feels, yet again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-D0efecCWk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6ha-040dgU
4. Noori
Brothers Ali Noor and Ali Hamza along with drummer Gumby joined hands to form the perfect rock band in the 90s. The band produced songs such as Suno Ke Mein Hoon Jawaan and the epic Manwa Re, which are hummed by fans to date. The line-up of Noori has changed over time, but Noor and Hamza have remained consistent throughout. Rumours of Noori producing the next season of Coke Studio were also quickly spread which were later denied by their management. While we now Noori still produces some good compositions, we hope that the original line-up can reunite for some more good music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BBIUYVwv0o
5. Awaz
Before Haroon and Faakhir were known as separate entities, the two pop singers along with Asad Ahmed, were part of a band named Awaz. The very patriotic number Ay Jawaan was one of their most loved songs, followed by Jadoo Ka Chiragh and the comic, Mr Fraudiye. Due to a dispute between the members in late 90s, Haroon and Faakhir went on to pursue their solo careers while Asad Ahmed formed Karavan. We wonder where all of them are now and we'd love to see them together again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s5o43bILGk
Have something to add to the story? Share in the comments below.
Pakistani pop music was as its peak during the 90s. Bands and singers such as Vital Signs, Strings, Ali Haider, Shehzad Roy and many others played a crucial role in taking the music industry to an all-time high.
With the passage of time, many bands were formed which later died down due to various reasons. Nevertheless, they left anthems for the people of their times that are still appreciated today. Here's a list of five Pakistani bands who were at the top of their game during the 90s, and we'd love to see them release some new tracks together again.
1. Junoon
Formed in 1990, this sufi rock band set the bar high for the others to follow. Ali Azmat's vocals were supported by Salman Ahmed and Brian O'Connells' guitar skills to give us tunes like Yaar Bina, Zamanay Ke Andaaz and Tara Jala. However, the band faded away about after a decade as Ali went to pursue his solo career. He also recently hinted at a possible Junoon reunion and fans went ballistic over the possibility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ry7y-TmhwY
2. Entity Paradigm (EP)
Before Fawad Khan made us drool over his handsome self in Humsafar, the actor was popular for the rock metal band EP. The likes of Ahmed Ali Butt, Zulfiqar Khan, Salman Albert, Hassan Khalid, Abid Khan and Waqar Ahmed were also a part of the band. They disbanded as some of the members wanted to pursue individual projects. Formed at Pepsi Battle of the Bands, EP made a surprise comeback in this year's installment, leaving us longing for more. Hits such as Kahan Hai Tu and Waqt were amongst the fans' favourites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3t1CnjaBf4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF8gpEo-xv0
3. Aaroh
Winners of the first Pepsi Battle of the Bands, Aaroh was named by Shoaib Mansoor of Verna fame. Comprising of vocalist Farooq Ahmed and other members namely Kamran Khan, Nabeel Nihal, Haider Hashmi, Khalid Khan and Jason Anthony, the band took off in the late 90s only to reach an unfortunate end in 2014. Haider was diagnosed with a brain tumour and passed away the same year. Nescafe Basement paid a tribute to the late guitarist in 2016 while the rest of the band gave a surprise performance in Pepsi Battle of the Bands as well. With hits like Sawaal, Raag Neela and Na Kaho, we hope Aaroh comes back together to give us all the feels, yet again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-D0efecCWk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6ha-040dgU
4. Noori
Brothers Ali Noor and Ali Hamza along with drummer Gumby joined hands to form the perfect rock band in the 90s. The band produced songs such as Suno Ke Mein Hoon Jawaan and the epic Manwa Re, which are hummed by fans to date. The line-up of Noori has changed over time, but Noor and Hamza have remained consistent throughout. Rumours of Noori producing the next season of Coke Studio were also quickly spread which were later denied by their management. While we now Noori still produces some good compositions, we hope that the original line-up can reunite for some more good music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BBIUYVwv0o
5. Awaz
Before Haroon and Faakhir were known as separate entities, the two pop singers along with Asad Ahmed, were part of a band named Awaz. The very patriotic number Ay Jawaan was one of their most loved songs, followed by Jadoo Ka Chiragh and the comic, Mr Fraudiye. Due to a dispute between the members in late 90s, Haroon and Faakhir went on to pursue their solo careers while Asad Ahmed formed Karavan. We wonder where all of them are now and we'd love to see them together again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s5o43bILGk
Have something to add to the story? Share in the comments below.