| Overload | |
|---|---|
Overload perform in a concert in Carlton Hotel, Karachi. |
|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Genres | Instrumental rock, Classical music, Psychedelic rock, Fusion |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | BMN Records, Riot Records, Universal Music |
| Associated acts | SYMT, Noori, AlterEgo, Club Caramel |
| Website | www.overloadbeat.com |
| Members | |
| Farhad Humayun Sheraz Siddiq Nasir Sain |
|
| Past members | |
| Hassan Mohyeddin Pappu Sain Jhura Sain Mahmood Rahman Meesha Shafi |
|
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.[1] Overload are regarded as the "Loudest band in Pakistan" by many critics.[1]
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.[2] 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.
Contents |
Since their inception, the group has released two albums, one self-titled, released in 2006 and Pichal Pairee, released on August 14, 2009.[2] 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.
In February 2011, prior to the release of their newest single "Dhol 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."[3] 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."[3]
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.[4]
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.[3]
The matter is currently subjudice but none the less the video is available on Facebook for public viewing.[5]
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.