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Pepsi Battle of the Bands

ExpressPacer

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Have been watching this competition and without a doubt I would agree that this is a great initiative and a good way to garner the rock talent of Pakistan.

Anyway, a band known by the name of Kashmir who went through with the auditions did a cover of 'Mera Pyaar' by Amir Zaka (late) and it was so beautifully sung that I couldn't help myself from getting emotional. I would recommend everyone to check it out.

By the way, listen to it on Patari (the app) because the YouTube version isn't the full song and doesn't have the piercing falsettos that this vocalist was able to sing.

[MENTION=22846]Nostalgic[/MENTION]
[MENTION=130700]TM Riddle[/MENTION]
 
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The lead guitarist in this band is my school friend. Unlike most other bands this is their original song. Easily in the top three bands in this competition but not selected for main rounds. They belong to middle class families of Islamabad and may be not 'enough burger' for being selected. Cant think of any other reason. The karta dhartas of this country have no eye for talent.

Btw people have spoken up. Already ~200k views in just 10 days while no other band hasnt come close to 100k views.


[MENTION=141922]ExpressPacer[/MENTION] Bro listen to the one I posted and tell me how do you like it :)
 
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I was wondering how there is no thread on Pepsi Battle of the Bands yet. I have really enjoyed it and have seen some really refreshing sounds. Agree with [MENTION=143023]SarfiBabarHaris[/MENTION] Khamaaj was the best band and was really surprised that they were knocked out.

The other bands I have really enjoyed are Kashmir, Darwesh, Jassim and the Pindi Boys. I hope one of these 3 win.

Darwesh, are a sufi rock band and I must say have the most unique music I have come across.
 
Didnt Fawad Khan and EP get discovered through this ages ago?

Dont think its the first time
 
Didnt Fawad Khan and EP get discovered through this ages ago?

Dont think its the first time

Correct, we've been talking about it on the Coke Studio thread. The first iteration was back in 2002, and the bands were much more accomplished. Off the top of my head, I remember Mekaal Hasan Band, Aaroh, eP, Brain Masala, Shehzad Hameed Project, Mizmaar, and a few others.

eP and Aaroh were the finalists, and Aaroh won. eP were actually formed just before the competition, if I recall correctly. There were a number of underground bands active in Lahore at that time: Entity, Dog Tag, Coven, Paradigm. eP were formed when Entity and Paradigm merged, and again if I remember correctly, it came about because the Battle of the Bands was happening, and because members of both bands (Ahmed Butt and Fawad Khan) starred in and collaborated on the title song for Jutt and Bond, a series that was very popular back in the day. It featured Maula Jutt (Ahmed Ali Butt) and James Bond (Fawad Khan) taking on the bad guys. It was a bit over the top, but it had its moments.
 
Correct, we've been talking about it on the Coke Studio thread. The first iteration was back in 2002, and the bands were much more accomplished. Off the top of my head, I remember Mekaal Hasan Band, Aaroh, eP, Brain Masala, Shehzad Hameed Project, Mizmaar, and a few others.

eP and Aaroh were the finalists, and Aaroh won. eP were actually formed just before the competition, if I recall correctly. There were a number of underground bands active in Lahore at that time: Entity, Dog Tag, Coven, Paradigm. eP were formed when Entity and Paradigm merged, and again if I remember correctly, it came about because the Battle of the Bands was happening, and because members of both bands (Ahmed Butt and Fawad Khan) starred in and collaborated on the title song for Jutt and Bond, a series that was very popular back in the day. It featured Maula Jutt (Ahmed Ali Butt) and James Bond (Fawad Khan) taking on the bad guys. It was a bit over the top, but it had its moments.

Hmm. I was too young to be following it at the time (just knew abt its existence ofcourse)

The question is: Did eP,, Mizmaar, Mekaal Hasan band and Aarah (all household names in the mid to late 2000s to some degree) get popular or so well known as a result of the Pepsi BoB or did they already have a following back then?

So when you say 'the bands were much more accomplishmed,' what do you mean?
 
Hmm. I was too young to be following it at the time (just knew abt its existence ofcourse)

The question is: Did eP,, Mizmaar, Mekaal Hasan band and Aarah (all household names in the mid to late 2000s to some degree) get popular or so well known as a result of the Pepsi BoB or did they already have a following back then?

So when you say 'the bands were much more accomplishmed,' what do you mean?

I would say the popularity followed BoB, I'm not sure if it really was a result of BoB in all cases. However, the finalists, Aaroh and eP certainly drew a lot of fan following directly from BoB, in particular Aaroh, who got to record their debut album as part of the their victory package. eP too, because prior to this, the underground bands (predominantly in Lahore but also Karachi and Islamabad) used to release albums that were only sold at their concerts or at this one record store called Offbeat. Often those albums had no artwork, in some cases the list of songs were hand-written. I know because I owned a few of those albums. By the time eP came out with Irtiqa, it was released very professionally.

By accomplished, I meant they were accomplished, musically. The rhythm was tight, the vocals in tune, etc. Many of the musicians had been mainstays in the underground scene for years prior to the show. They may not have been household names, but those of us who followed music certainly knew about, say, Shehzad Hameed, or Mekaal Hasan, or Shareb Jafer, and many others on the show.
 
The lead guitarist in this band is my school friend. Unlike most other bands this is their original song. Easily in the top three bands in this competition but not selected for main rounds. They belong to middle class families of Islamabad and may be not 'enough burger' for being selected. Cant think of any other reason. The karta dhartas of this country have no eye for talent.

Btw people have spoken up. Already ~200k views in just 10 days while no other band hasnt come close to 100k views.


[MENTION=141922]ExpressPacer[/MENTION] Bro listen to the one I posted and tell me how do you like it :)

I thought that this was an an extremely impressive audition and was shocked to see them not go through. However, I don't think it's about not being burger enough, I mean Ehl-e-Rock are pretty burger (while also being badass) but weren't able to qualify. I think the judges are looking for rock vocals and the general rock theme instead of traditional classic voices and this is probably why Khamaaj didn't get through.
 
I thought that this was an an extremely impressive audition and was shocked to see them not go through. However, I don't think it's about not being burger enough, I mean Ehl-e-Rock are pretty burger (while also being badass) but weren't able to qualify. I think the judges are looking for rock vocals and the general rock theme instead of traditional classic voices and this is probably why Khamaaj didn't get through.

Yes that might be a reason. But the winner of Pepsi BOB edition 1 i-e Aaroh also had more of classical vocals.
I am also very dissapointed because I know these guys are really talented. They have three vocalists with 3 different styles who can sing variety of songs.
 
Yes that might be a reason. But the winner of Pepsi BOB edition 1 i-e Aaroh also had more of classical vocals.
I am also very dissapointed because I know these guys are really talented. They have three vocalists with 3 different styles who can sing variety of songs.

You're right but the good thing is, they've gotten the platform they needed. Aaroh won Pepsi BOB season 1 yet could not match the popularity of EP and you didn't even have internet that easily back then. Everyone's heard Khamaaj and everyone's pretty distraught about them not being there. The best thing they could do right now is to release another song ASAP.
 




Been listening to these two on repeat for the last couple of days. Better than anything CS 10 has produced so far. [MENTION=22846]Nostalgic[/MENTION]
 




Been listening to these two on repeat for the last couple of days. Better than anything CS 10 has produced so far. [MENTION=22846]Nostalgic[/MENTION]

100% my feelings. Kashmir is just too good man. I personally love the vocalist (;)) and I'm so happy that there's such bands in Pakistan who have the dark, gothic (weird, I know) to them. Unfortunately, they've been booted out of the show and I'm pretty sure Roots will end up being the finalist, if not the winner solely because they include a girl.

Nonetheless, I'm happy Kashmir will become mainstream now.
 
Well deserved win by Kashmir, their original songs were very good.
 
Kashmir was amazing and I was rooting for them though Badnaam really grew on me towards the end. Bismillah Kara, **** Jora Pa and Ishqnaama were brilliant.

However the best songs in the show were by Kashmir in Kaaghaz ka Jahaaz and Mera Pyar.

Was surprised to see Naqsh and Khamaaj not making it past the first round.

Overall a great contest. New surge of talent came out last time this battle took place and there will be talent from here as well. It's great for Pakistan and hope to see great albums from both Kashmir and Badnaam.
 
I have watched and listened to few songs, the outcome is great relative to their amateur status but in no way it surpasses coke studio, even this below par season.
 
The winners of the battle of the bands, Kashmir, came out with a couple of songs. I love this one.

 
How is it that no one has bumped this thread and the third season is almost over? I realised yesterday that the 3rd season had already started and I came to the realisation that I missed 5 episodes already! Binge watched the first 2 episodes and was thoroughly impressed with the bands. Anyone else watching it currently?
 
How is it that no one has bumped this thread and the third season is almost over? I realised yesterday that the 3rd season had already started and I came to the realisation that I missed 5 episodes already! Binge watched the first 2 episodes and was thoroughly impressed with the bands. Anyone else watching it currently?

This season the quality of bands and their preparation is better. I have only watched the 1st two episodes only like you.
 
Bayaan all the way for me.

That "Yeh Watan" rendition was excellent and very heavy emotionally.

 
Bayaan wins ‘Pepsi Battle of the Bands’ season 3

KARACHI: The two-month journey of Pepsi Battle of the Bands (BoB) season three finally came to an end this Sunday. With Xarb and Bayaan fighting for the winner’s title, the season’s grand finale offered multiple showcases, including performances by the four judges.

The episode began with Strings performing their 2006 hit Zinda. They crooned a different rendition of the song though, which as they said always brings out a different and high energy on stage.

Meesha Shafi performed an original titled Main. With the lights turned low and the haunting melody, it turned out to be an enjoyable watch, although an unnecessary use of masks to make it more mysterious didn’t do any favours.

Meanwhile, Shahi Hasan, who served as a judge last year and a mentor this season, performed a reworked rendition of Vital Signs’ Maula. And Fawad Khan amazed in a performance with 17 other musicians, singing Satrangi – a track he wrote back in 2008 and only performed for the first time on the BoB stage.

Satrangi belonged to the world music genre, and was a fusion with a message of togetherness and unity, as Khan described it. It was an otherwise memorable performance with a beautiful composition and an absolutely majestic instrumentation by all musicians involved.

The episode also saw the two finalists take the stage one last time. Bayaan performed Nahein Milta, which was the first song they produced as a band when they started out, while Xarb did Kashmakash.

A particularly revealing moment came when the bands were given the opportunity to ask the jury questions. While everyone mostly asked the judges about their beginnings, creative processes and sought advice, Bayaan asked the former Entity Paradigm (EP) front man whether he’d return to music, particularly rock music, full-time. Khan responded saying he usually only goes back to the studio to feel the nostalgia.

He said he might come up with a song or two every few years but would not come back to music completely. However, Khan added that music is a case of ‘never say never.’ He left the door open for future possibilities and said it might happen anytime he feels he could do rock music one more time.

Coming back to the spirit of the competition, we saw video packages briefing Bayaan and Xarb’s story as they introduced each band member’s families, talking about their musical beginnings, aspirations and the subsequent journey.

Then came the big moment! The results were to be announced and the tension which had been building up for the last several weeks was relieved. While both Xarb and Bayaan garnered significant praise, there could only be one winner and it was Bayaan.

The underdog band completed their tumultuous journey with a huge surprise victory and etched their names in the history books as the winners of season three. After Aaroh and Kashmir, it was Bayaan’s time to shine. However, as the jury often said to both the bands, their actual musical journey begins now.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1794050/4-bayaan-wins-pepsi-battle-bands-season-3/
 
Very good songs by Bayaan but the lead singer is quite weak. A stronger one can take them to the next level.


Think he is the same guy who sang Raaz e Fitna in Nescafe Basement but his sound was better suited there maybe due to it being doctored and not live or because he didn't have to display any range needed for the other songs, however I think it's doctored as it sounded good enough.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZTJqLMp1Fc
 
Very good songs by Bayaan but the lead singer is quite weak. A stronger one can take them to the next level.


Think he is the same guy who sang Raaz e Fitna in Nescafe Basement but his sound was better suited there maybe due to it being doctored and not live or because he didn't have to display any range needed for the other songs, however I think it's doctored as it sounded good enough.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZTJqLMp1Fc

Actually the Walnut session was better but don't if should be trusted or not

 
[MENTION=143023]SarfiBabarHaris[/MENTION] Lot of youngsta beauties this season :afridi
 
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