Sharaf Qaiser Band - Kerb

Here's something I stumbled upon recently. The song is called 'Kerb', and it has been performed/produced by the 'Sharaf Qaiser Band'. Whereas the name of the group might suggest that they make academic and pedantic jazz/fusion, what comes out of yours speakers is somewhat contrary to that notion. If Pakistan were ever to produce its own Audioslave or Soundgarden, this would be it. Is Karachi pushing certain individuals to make music like this by providing the requisite socio-political catalysts?  The parallel with late 80s and early 90s Seattle grunge scene becomes more meaningful, all of a sudden. The tune itself uses all of the canonical Audioslave motifs: sludgy guitars, ample fuzz, noise, distortion/feedback, grungy vocals (albeit in Urdu), dampened 4/4 drums, Tom Morello-esque guitar manipulation. Every now and then, a Zakk Wylde whiff also inundates your eardrums. The song's pretty buffed up, and you'll probably want to hit the replay button. For future references, whenever you listen to the vocalist screaming out 'meray paas yahan kuch bhee naheen', don't forget to imagine a bunch of haggard/grim looking guys driving down a dilapidated road in Korangi on a beat up 95' Mazda. It greatly enhances the listening experience.

The Joomi Experience - Belvadere Street'

The EP 'Elyria' was undoubtedly the band's most memorable presentation. 'The Joomi Experience' is the brainchild of Muhammad Ali Suhail and Syed Zain Ul Abedin, and they purport to experiment with sound, and it's visual presentation. While we haven't seen any significant development on the visual front minus the album artworks, the band has followed up in the sonic realm by releasing two more albums since.
A part of me wants to write more about the EP, but i'll refrain (for now).

'Belvadere Street' is the third track on 'Elyria', and is in many ways emblematic of the earlier TJE sound. The bass is slick, and the guitars notes oscillate between delayed chords until the Tool-esque grungy riff enters the picture. Only that it's not Tool-esque in so far that it keeps changing it's tangent every now and then with the help of mini-wah-wah-ed guitar runs.

Malang Party - Dil Jalay

Yes. They call themselves 'Malang Party'. Their facebook page further informs the reader that apart from being a 'Musical Band', they are also the following:  a) A Political Party; b) a 'Mind-Circus'; and c) an all purpose 'Malangi Commune'. I don't think I'd like to use the word 'Malang' ever again. I even remember someone referring to them as a 'Baluchi-Blues-Funk-Rock-Reggae' outfit. Baluchi. Never really got my head round that part.

I still remember seeing these guys play live in an obscure gig in Islamabad about two years ago. Shahzad Hameed was on bass. A rastafari-esque Zeeshan Mansoor on the guitars. A gaunt looking drummer. A guy with sunglasses and greasy hair providing forced vocals over the fluid, rhythmic guitar melodies. The crowd might've had mixed views about their performance, but I kind of liked it. These guys were exploring interesting sonic domains.

The song in question, 'Dil Jalay' was also performed at the said gig. As far as I know, the band has a slightly different line-up these days. Mansoor has taken over the vocal responsibilities, and they've gotten a new bassist. 'Dil Jalay' was recorded and released about 8 months ago, featuring a more dominant, fluid bass line and easy-on-the-ears bluesy riffs.