Pakistan’s music industry is marred with cries of aspiring artists unwilling to bend their notes in favour of ‘tasteless’ audiences and seniors, crouched in support of the approach to stay relevant. But whether you break or bend, fortune only favours poster boys and music fanatics who come what may, continue to pluck their strings.
Such was the case with the 80s band that stuck around through all these years, only to leave behind a record-load of memories, music and nostalgia. Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia’s long-standing legacy took a final bow on March 25, 2021, 33 years after staying in the game and playing it like pros.
Strings apart
At a time when the noise of Junoon’s Sayonee (1997) had faded, Vital Signs’ Aitebaar (1993) revived our faith only to leave it hanging, Mr. Fraudiye (1996) was the last we heard from Awaz, Aaroh only released its first set of songs and Noori had just turned bachelor with Suno Ke Main Hun Jawan (2003), String’s reinvented itself and released Duur (2000) and Dhaani (2003).
The latter included singles like Najane Kyun, which became a soundtrack for Spider-Man 2 and Mera Bichra Yaar, which will now be crooned as a song about the fallout of Maqsood and Kapadia.
The band that formed in 1988 at a farewell of a Government College, bid adieu to their fans with a heart wrenching note on Thursday, leaving many marvelling at the reasons that may have led to this decision.
"Hey guys. This post is a bit different from the usual,” shared Strings. “We have decided that today, 25/03/2021, is the day we graciously get to conclude STRINGS," the band announced on its official social media platforms. "The past 33 years have been incredible for both of us. It is so rare to have the chance to be able to do things like this and we are infinitely grateful to all of our fans for making it possible. We hope you found it worthwhile as well.”
At this point, many hearts had been broken, and tears rolled down the cheeks of those who had been unremittingly attending all Strings concerts. The post went on to assure that even though the band may not technically exist anymore, both Kapadia and Maqsood share a bond that remains unbreakable. "Thank you so much for everything," the post concluded.
When approached, Maqsood told The Express Tribune, “We have not split up, this is just a mutual decision to close this chapter,” adding nothing more while letting the silence speak for itself. But what of the void that may never be filled?
Filling in the blanks
The cry that followed was of betrayal, as many felt they deserved more than just a farewell post. Some reacted as if their loved one had broken up with them after 33 years over a WhatsApp message, Ouch! It seemed as though putting an end to something created by two people was not the decision of just those two people anymore.
“They should’ve done one last concert,” complained a user. “They pulled a One Direction on us,” lamented another. Some however, are still hopeful that they’re just pulling a Junoon, which may be the case provided the timing of it all. And, a reunion may also rebrand and reimburse them like nothing else. But if they’re really pulling a Strings on us, then it’s adios for good.
Photo by Sheikh Aleem
However, their announcement does lead one to wonder whether their decision to call it quits had anything to do with them being separated by a certain pop show, which did unite them for one performance. And it also makes one question whether Kapadia leaving the country meant the band could only stay together for so long.
But whatever the case, for now, it’s only fair to pay tribute to the only Pakistani band that stuck around in a music industry without a business model for 33 years.
The legacy
Strings has always been more about the feels and less about the noise. Their rhythmic, melodious and poetic songs penned by Anwar Maqsood, were amplified by Adeel Ali on lead guitar, Shakir Khan on bass guitar, Haider Ali on keyboards and Aahad Nayani on drums. The band has sold over 25 million albums worldwide.
After 2002 and the realisation that Pakistan’s pop music had a cult following in India, Strings visited our neighbouring country with local music channels, hosting collaborations with their Indian counterparts. The band played with New Delhi-based Euphoria and recorded Jeet Lo Dil, marking their cross-border breakthrough. The hit became the official song for the Indian cricket team's tour to Pakistan.
Strings also toured India with Channel V and recorded Bolo Bolo, only to re-record the track with Hariharan. The collaboration was eagerly awaited and critically acclaimed. Following this, they played an unplugged set at the Hard Rock Cafe in Dubai, which made them more famous internationally and paved the way for a partnership with Columbia Records. The company approached them and released their fourth album Dhaani, on September 1, 2003.
In June 2004, the band released the music video for the title track of Dhaani, after which they were approached by the Columbia TriStar Films of India, to include Najane Kyun in the soundtrack of the Hindi version of Spider-Man 2.
In May 2005, Strings released the music video of Kahani Mohabat Ki and in 2008, the band released their fifth album, Koi Aanay Wala Hai, with singles like Yeh Hai Meri Kahani and Aakhri Alvida, which became the soundtracks for Bollywood's Zinda and Shootout at Lokhandwala. The music video of the prior featured the band alongside Bollywood A-listers John Abraham and Sanjay Dutt. Co-produced by Abraham, the album was a success in both Pakistan and India.
Following this, they also signed an agreement with Gibson Guitar Corporation, becoming one of the only two South Asian bands, along with Jal, to have a working relationship with the guitar manufacturer. On July 2010, Strings released their single Ab Khud Kuch Karna Parega, featuring former Jal frontman Atif Aslam.
They then produced and directed Coke Studio from 2013 to 2017. And in 2018, Kapadia confirmed the release of their sixth studio album Strings Thirty, as 2018 marked 30 years of Strings.
With their album’s opener Sajni, along with its 2019 closing track Raat Shabnami, Strings ventured into a new musical space. Inspired by cutting-edge influences, they maintained their boyish charm while keeping up with changing times. The album was proof that what kept Strings relevant throught these years was never their signature sound, but the evolution of that sound.
To sweet goodbyes
Nevertheless, it seems it’s time to say goodbye, for the record will keep on playing, even if its players have stopped. And with every goodbye there is hope for a better tomorrow, and maybe another perfect poster boy band to take center stage and steal our hearts with their melodies. On that note, many bade farewell to these heartthrobs, who may never share the stage together ever again.
Rapper and actor Ahmad Ali Butt told The Express Tribune, “Strings is the most iconic band of Pakistan. From music to fashion to style, they have always reinvented themselves. Their music matured with age like fine wine and some of the most relevant and beautiful lyrics came through their music. Thank you Strings, Na Koi Tum Jaisa!”
"Strings has made a huge contribution to the Pakistani music scene and I had the pleasure of being a part of their live lineup in the 2000s before I came out with my band Mizmaar." musician and producer Kashan Admani told The Express Tribune. "I toured locally with them and played many gigs with them. Later, I also did some production work for them in my studio and soon after they asked me to participate in Coke Studio."
"They’re the nicest people in the business and I will always hold them in high regard. It’s sad that Strings will no longer exist and I personally feel they could have done a lot more!" he concluded.
“Glad to have been alive in the times of strings! Rock on both of you!” commented Munib Nawaz on their Instagram post.
"We love you you both. And yes heartbroken," wrote Bollywood actor Dia Mirza.
“This is heart breaking. But thank you so much for all those years and the music you gave to us. You guys will remain the legends. End of an era!! Lots of love and respect,” commented actor Asad Siddiqui. “No no no!” continued Zara Noor Abbas and “I can’t believe this,” remarked Khalid Malik in disbelief.
“So heartbroken, but thank you for the most incredible music, wishing the both of you health and happiness,” commented Ayesha Malik on Maqsood’s post. “I’ll be forever grateful to the both of you for paving the way for everybody else. As much as this post has made me sad, I wish you both the best for everything, forever a strings lover,” continued Asim Azhar.
Zeeshan Parwez also told The Express Tribune, “The 33 years of Strings have been laced with so many accomplishments, that one cannot deny what a force they have been in the Pakistani music scene. For that, I thank them, their band members (present and past), and their studio team for coming out with wonderful songs.”
Adios amigos..
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