EP makes some noise for ‘youth revolution’

LAHORE:

Rock band EP launched a new patriotic song and music video on August 14 that it hopes will provoke a “youth revolution” in Pakistan.

“The message is for people to stop complaining and start acting,” said Fawad Khan, EP’s vocalist, at a crowded launch ceremony at Café Rock near Hussain Chowk in Gulberg on Saturday night. “Young people especially need to stand up and make their voice heard,” he added.

The video for ‘Shor Macha’ (Make Noise), directed by Bilal Lashari, shows EP performing at a concert, interspersed with archival footage of historic Pakistani leaders and events, as well as current day events like bombings and floods.

The band said their intention was not to depress, but to try to inspire young people to alter this country’s course.

“I got goose bumps when the song got to the section with the national anthem, and you could hear ‘Pak sar zameen…’,” said Adnan, an EP fan in the crowd.

Shooting for the video took place all over Pakistan, including Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi, Bahawalpur Fort, Cholistan, Kallar Kahar, Minar-e-Pakistan and the Walled City in Lahore. The idea was to show the natural beauty in Pakistan. “This is the time to appreciate our beautiful country,” said Ahmed Ali Butt, EP’s vocalist.

Dozens of EP supporters packed out Café Rock to watch a screening of the video and then hear about the project from the band.

Ali Azmat, Ali Noor, Zeb & Haniya, and members of co-Ven, Jal, Caramel and Lemon Fuzz also attended the event in support of their fellow musicians.

The video was sponsored by Djuice and produced by Creative Village. Munib Nawaz designed the band’s clothes. EP consists of Fawad Khan (vocals), Ahmed Ali Butt (vocals), Salman Albert (guitar), Hassan Khan (bass) and Waqar Khan (drums).

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2010.