KARACHI:
All Pakistani rock music lovers hold on tight. The legendary band, Karavan reunites after almost two years; let’s hope they stay together.
“Chalna hai milke yeh jaano; jaana hai agay jawano” (Know that we need to walk together, we [youngsters] must move forward together.) These are the lyrics from their song “Aagey Hi Aagey” from the album Gardish released in March 2002, which sealed global success for Karavan until their split left a void in the Pakistani music scene. They seem to finally carry through with their words!
With three of the four band members, Asad Ahmed (lead guitarist), Tanseer Dar (lead vocalist), and Sameer Ahmed (bass guitarist) Karavan made their first public appearance a few days ago at PAF KIET Karachi. They now have some local and international shows lined up for which the band members are currently rehearsing. Allan Smith (drummer) could not make it due to prior commitments.
“We are the best live act of the country and we’re back together to show all the little boys how the big boys do it,” says Asad.
The beginning
In the late ‘90s Karavan had revolutionised the Pakistani music industry when they began fusing eastern percussion and tunes with modern rock. They released their first album in 1997 titled Rakh Aas which was a huge success following three more albums until their not-so-happy split in May 2011. After they rocked the music world for over a decade, the band members began to pursue their solo career. The band split on a not-so-happy note and primarily because of over-commitment by some band members and lack of interest by the others.
After Karavan parted ways, Asad told The Express Tribune, “We are done; 15 years is a long time period; there will not be any more music with the current line-up.” Adding to that, he said: “The break up is still very fresh. Let’s just take it easy for a while and see what happens. I don’t know with whom, but I will definitely make music.”
The patch-up
Asad’s solo album and movie projects have been keeping him busy whereas their drummer Smith has been playing sessions. Both Dar and Sameer have other projects coming along as well; but still the band believes that live music is what it was known for and live music is what they’ll continue to play.
“I decided to call it quits because I felt there was no industry in place for a recording artist,” says Asad to The Express Tribune. “I still feel the same.” Asad explains that they have not made any new music, so this is going to be a tour of live performances of their previous work.
Dar is equally excited about the reunion and tells us that his solo projects will continue without hindrance and will release soon. “The other projects are alive and kicking, but I am glad that the band has reunited because there is nothing like playing together,” Dar says.
The future
The future plans for Karavan are lots of shows and most importantly finishing that live album that they had promised the fans as they pulled the plug.
“This really is being done for the fans that are fine with us being a heritage act,” says Asad with a smile. “It’s no secret that apart from Strings, there is no other existing band that has four studio albums, one unplugged and one live album on the way — that’s quite a catalog we will leave behind,” he says.
Asad’s English albums are in progress and aimed to impress the western music lovers. “Doing movie soundtracks with Ali Zafar and touring with him was an amazing experience; and Coke Studio rolls on as always,” says Asad. He also loves to explore different genres of music. “It gives me a chance to work with other artists whom I admire and respect,” says Asad.
Karavan to date is undeniably Pakistan’s best live act which has a very versatile set of fans from college-going students to professionals who grew up listening to them.
For a band it’s always great to have all the members around; but the fact is with Smith in Islamabad and playing with Shafqat Amanat Ali, it becomes difficult to get him across to each performance. Smith is expected to join the band as soon as his other commitments are complete. “We are a business so the band is run like a company. Everyone is taken care of and is happy,” says Asad.
Hopefully, the band’s comeback is successful and gives encouragement to the younger bands, or little boys as Asad said, of the Pakistani music industry.
Karavan’s message
“We are back and will keep touring until you tell us to stop, ultimately the fans are the bosses. Karavan is the band we never had when we grew up. So when we get up there every night, we make sure that everyone leaves the show saying ‘that was the best damn band I ever heard’.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2012.
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Welcome Back Gentlemen! You were missed! Keep on touring and rock on!
Finally a rock show to look foward to... lets hope khi situation gets settled...