Overload (Pakistani band)
Encyclopedia
Overload is a rock
band from Lahore
, Punjab
, Pakistan
. Founded in 2004, the band is directed by founder, vocalist and drummer Farhad Humayun, who was soon joined by Sheraz Siddiq on keyboards
, Hassan Mohyeddin on percussions and dhol
players, Pappu Sain
and Jhura Sain. Overload are regarded as the "Loudest band in Pakistan" by many critics.
Since their inception, the band has released two studio albums. The band's self-titled debut album, Overload, released in 2006, charted at #1 spot in the Pakistani music charts. After the release of the band's first album, Pappu Sain, regarded as the greatest dhol
player in the world, left the band due to ill health. He was replaced by Nasir Sain. Also, the band recruited vocalist, Meesha Shafi
and lead guitarist, Mahmood Rahman. This was followed by the band releasing their second studio album, Pichal Pairee
, in 2009. Although, the album released exclusively as a digital download
album, and has not been released on a physical medium, it still topped the charts locally. Singles from the album, "Pichal Pairee", "Mela Kariyay" and "Dhol Bajay Ga!" were critical hits.
, released on August 14, 2009. Three songs from their debut album Overload were released as singles; "Cursed", "Dhamaal" and "Storm". Two singles were also released from their second album; "Pichal Pairee" and "Mela Kariye". The band's first album charted at #1 spot in the Pakistan music charts, where as their second album, even though released exclusively online for free, still topped the charts locally.
After the release of the band's first album, Pappu Sain, regarded as the greatest dhol
player in the world, left the band due to ill health. Pappu Saeein was suffering from acute diabetes, and claustrophobia, which limited air travel. He was replaced by Nasir Sain.
Baja Ga" (The Dhol
will beat), two integral members of the band left it. Mahmood Rahman guitarist
and his wife, lead singer Meesha Shafi
, left the band because of the growing "creative and practical differences that were fast proving irreconcilable." The drummer
and founding member Farhad Humayun stated that the band will still continue its work and that "Meesha is a very ambitious girl and she will go far, but she and Mahmood cannot come back to the band since they abandoned it when it needed them the most."
The gravity of the rift in the band surfaced when Farhad released "Dhol Baje Ga" as "Batti" (Light) on YouTube
and Meesha issued a copyright claim to the website that led to the video's subsequent removal.
Farhad Humayun stated in the follow-up that he has legal rights over everything produced by Overload and remains the sole proprietor of Overload since 2003. Furthermore he said that "Batti" is an all together new song with different lyrics, different title and different music as compared to "Dhol Bajay Ga". "The whole world knows Overload is my band", he stated in a email to a Pakistani music website Koolmuzone.com.
The matter is currently subjudice but none the less the video is available on Facebook for public viewing.
After all that has happened, "Batti" turns out to be an immense success nationwide. It is getting a lot of airplay both on the radio and the T.V circuit, thanks to its thumping bass-line and addictive guitar-play.
Meesha Shafi won the lawsuit. On the CD cover of Pichal Pairee it was made apparent that she had composed that particular song, as well as most other songs in the album. This caused the song to be taken off of Youtube and other popular media sites.
Humayun has taken over as lead vocalist. His vocals are comparable to classical rock that emerged during the 70s and 80s and has been well received by critics and the audience alike.
Live albums
Singles
Collaborations - Past
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band from Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, Punjab
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. Founded in 2004, the band is directed by founder, vocalist and drummer Farhad Humayun, who was soon joined by Sheraz Siddiq on keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, Hassan Mohyeddin on percussions and dhol
Dhol
Dhol can refer to any one of a number of similar types of double-headed drum widely used, with regional variations, throughout the Indian subcontinent and nearby regions. Its range of distribution in India and Pakistan primarily includes northern areas such as the Assam Valley, Bengal, Gujarat,...
players, Pappu Sain
Pappu Sain
Pappu Sain is a famous sufi dhol player. He performs every Thursday evening at the Tomb of Shah Jamal in Ichhra, Lahore, Pakistan.There is another man named Goonga Sain who plays dhol at the same time...
and Jhura Sain. Overload are regarded as the "Loudest band in Pakistan" by many critics.
Since their inception, the band has released two studio albums. The band's self-titled debut album, Overload, released in 2006, charted at #1 spot in the Pakistani music charts. After the release of the band's first album, Pappu Sain, regarded as the greatest dhol
Dhol
Dhol can refer to any one of a number of similar types of double-headed drum widely used, with regional variations, throughout the Indian subcontinent and nearby regions. Its range of distribution in India and Pakistan primarily includes northern areas such as the Assam Valley, Bengal, Gujarat,...
player in the world, left the band due to ill health. He was replaced by Nasir Sain. Also, the band recruited vocalist, Meesha Shafi
Meesha Shafi
Meesha Shafi , is a female Pakistani model, actress and singer.-Fashion career:She started her career with fashion designing and now she is ranked as one of the Pakistan’s leading Fashion models.- Acting :...
and lead guitarist, Mahmood Rahman. This was followed by the band releasing their second studio album, Pichal Pairee
Pichal Pairee
-Personnel:Overload*Meesha Shafi - vocals, backing vocals*Farhad Humayun - drums*Sheraz Siddiq - keyboards*Mahmood Rahman - guitar*Nasir Sain - dholAdditional musicians* Vocals on "Saat Mein": Ustad Allah Loke* Vocals on "A Thousand Miracles": Jaffer Hussain...
, in 2009. Although, the album released exclusively as a digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
album, and has not been released on a physical medium, it still topped the charts locally. Singles from the album, "Pichal Pairee", "Mela Kariyay" and "Dhol Bajay Ga!" were critical hits.
Early Works and Departing Band Members
Since their inception, the group has released two albums, one self-titled, released in 2006 and Pichal PaireePichal Pairee
-Personnel:Overload*Meesha Shafi - vocals, backing vocals*Farhad Humayun - drums*Sheraz Siddiq - keyboards*Mahmood Rahman - guitar*Nasir Sain - dholAdditional musicians* Vocals on "Saat Mein": Ustad Allah Loke* Vocals on "A Thousand Miracles": Jaffer Hussain...
, released on August 14, 2009. Three songs from their debut album Overload were released as singles; "Cursed", "Dhamaal" and "Storm". Two singles were also released from their second album; "Pichal Pairee" and "Mela Kariye". The band's first album charted at #1 spot in the Pakistan music charts, where as their second album, even though released exclusively online for free, still topped the charts locally.
After the release of the band's first album, Pappu Sain, regarded as the greatest dhol
Dhol
Dhol can refer to any one of a number of similar types of double-headed drum widely used, with regional variations, throughout the Indian subcontinent and nearby regions. Its range of distribution in India and Pakistan primarily includes northern areas such as the Assam Valley, Bengal, Gujarat,...
player in the world, left the band due to ill health. Pappu Saeein was suffering from acute diabetes, and claustrophobia, which limited air travel. He was replaced by Nasir Sain.
The Falling Out and "Batti"
In February 2011, prior to the release of their newest single "DholDhol
Dhol can refer to any one of a number of similar types of double-headed drum widely used, with regional variations, throughout the Indian subcontinent and nearby regions. Its range of distribution in India and Pakistan primarily includes northern areas such as the Assam Valley, Bengal, Gujarat,...
Baja Ga" (The Dhol
Dhol
Dhol can refer to any one of a number of similar types of double-headed drum widely used, with regional variations, throughout the Indian subcontinent and nearby regions. Its range of distribution in India and Pakistan primarily includes northern areas such as the Assam Valley, Bengal, Gujarat,...
will beat), two integral members of the band left it. Mahmood Rahman guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and his wife, lead singer Meesha Shafi
Meesha Shafi
Meesha Shafi , is a female Pakistani model, actress and singer.-Fashion career:She started her career with fashion designing and now she is ranked as one of the Pakistan’s leading Fashion models.- Acting :...
, left the band because of the growing "creative and practical differences that were fast proving irreconcilable." The drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
and founding member Farhad Humayun stated that the band will still continue its work and that "Meesha is a very ambitious girl and she will go far, but she and Mahmood cannot come back to the band since they abandoned it when it needed them the most."
The gravity of the rift in the band surfaced when Farhad released "Dhol Baje Ga" as "Batti" (Light) on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
and Meesha issued a copyright claim to the website that led to the video's subsequent removal.
Farhad Humayun stated in the follow-up that he has legal rights over everything produced by Overload and remains the sole proprietor of Overload since 2003. Furthermore he said that "Batti" is an all together new song with different lyrics, different title and different music as compared to "Dhol Bajay Ga". "The whole world knows Overload is my band", he stated in a email to a Pakistani music website Koolmuzone.com.
The matter is currently subjudice but none the less the video is available on Facebook for public viewing.
After all that has happened, "Batti" turns out to be an immense success nationwide. It is getting a lot of airplay both on the radio and the T.V circuit, thanks to its thumping bass-line and addictive guitar-play.
Meesha Shafi won the lawsuit. On the CD cover of Pichal Pairee it was made apparent that she had composed that particular song, as well as most other songs in the album. This caused the song to be taken off of Youtube and other popular media sites.
Humayun has taken over as lead vocalist. His vocals are comparable to classical rock that emerged during the 70s and 80s and has been well received by critics and the audience alike.
Discography
Studio albums- Overload (2006)
- Pichal PaireePichal Pairee-Personnel:Overload*Meesha Shafi - vocals, backing vocals*Farhad Humayun - drums*Sheraz Siddiq - keyboards*Mahmood Rahman - guitar*Nasir Sain - dholAdditional musicians* Vocals on "Saat Mein": Ustad Allah Loke* Vocals on "A Thousand Miracles": Jaffer Hussain...
(2009)
Live albums
- Pichal Pairee Tour 2009 (2009)
- Overload Live at the Apartment Sessions (2011)
Singles
- Cursed
- Storm
- Dhamaal
- Pichal Pairee
- Mela Kariye
- Batti
Band members
- Farhad Humayun - drums, vocals
- Sheraz Siddiq - keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
Collaborations with Other Artists
Collaborations - Current- Nasir Sain - dholDholDhol can refer to any one of a number of similar types of double-headed drum widely used, with regional variations, throughout the Indian subcontinent and nearby regions. Its range of distribution in India and Pakistan primarily includes northern areas such as the Assam Valley, Bengal, Gujarat,...
- Kaala Sain - dholDholDhol can refer to any one of a number of similar types of double-headed drum widely used, with regional variations, throughout the Indian subcontinent and nearby regions. Its range of distribution in India and Pakistan primarily includes northern areas such as the Assam Valley, Bengal, Gujarat,...
- Farhan Ali - BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Haider Hashmi - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Ustaad Allah Lok - pakhawaj
- Jaffer Hussain - clarinetClarinetThe clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
- Shahzad Hameed - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Umair Nadeem - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
Collaborations - Past
- Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan Vocals
- Mekaal Hassan - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Hassan Mohyeddin - percussions
- Pappu SainPappu SainPappu Sain is a famous sufi dhol player. He performs every Thursday evening at the Tomb of Shah Jamal in Ichhra, Lahore, Pakistan.There is another man named Goonga Sain who plays dhol at the same time...
- dholDholDhol can refer to any one of a number of similar types of double-headed drum widely used, with regional variations, throughout the Indian subcontinent and nearby regions. Its range of distribution in India and Pakistan primarily includes northern areas such as the Assam Valley, Bengal, Gujarat,... - Jhura Sain - dholDholDhol can refer to any one of a number of similar types of double-headed drum widely used, with regional variations, throughout the Indian subcontinent and nearby regions. Its range of distribution in India and Pakistan primarily includes northern areas such as the Assam Valley, Bengal, Gujarat,...
- Mahmood Rahman - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Meera "Meesha" Rahman - vocals, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
Awards
- Overload won the 'Best Live Act Award' at the Lux Style AwardsLux Style AwardsThe Lux Style Awards is an award ceremony held annually in Pakistan since 2002. The awards celebrate "style" in the Pakistani entertainment industry, and honour the country's best talents in film, television, music, and fashion. Around 30 awards are given annually.The Lux Style Awards is considered...
2006. - "Dhamaal" was nominated for the 'Best Music Video' at the Lux Style AwardsLux Style AwardsThe Lux Style Awards is an award ceremony held annually in Pakistan since 2002. The awards celebrate "style" in the Pakistani entertainment industry, and honour the country's best talents in film, television, music, and fashion. Around 30 awards are given annually.The Lux Style Awards is considered...
2008. - Overload were nominated for the 'Best Music Artist' award at the Lux Style Awards 2010 for their album Pichal PaireePichal Pairee-Personnel:Overload*Meesha Shafi - vocals, backing vocals*Farhad Humayun - drums*Sheraz Siddiq - keyboards*Mahmood Rahman - guitar*Nasir Sain - dholAdditional musicians* Vocals on "Saat Mein": Ustad Allah Loke* Vocals on "A Thousand Miracles": Jaffer Hussain...
. - Farhad Humayun was nominated for the 'Best Music Producer' for "Pichal Pairee" & for the 'Best Music Video Director' for Mela Kariyay