Since the time 2013 began, Overload has been keeping quite busy with back to back performances at various venues around the country, from IBA Karachi to Islamabad College for Girls [ICG].
On March 8th 2013, Overload performed at yet another interesting event in Lahore – the Beacon House National University [BNU] Bestival 2013, held at BNU’s Tarogill campus. Overload performed various popular numbers including Narray Aah, and Batti as well as a new single Ankahi, from their album. Known as The Loudest Band in Pakistan, Overload lived up to its reputation while performing at BNU, and left students with an unforgettable experience.
Ustad Jaffer Hussain [Clarinet], Faisal Baig [DJ], Farhad Humayun [drums & vocals] and Sheraz Siddiq [Keyboards] got on stage at 10pm facing a revved up audience of students. They kicked off the show with Ankahi followed by the infamous Narray Ah and the sarcastic number Batti which touches on the issue of load shedding. ‘I don’t know about you guys, but where I live, the light goes for 18 hours a day!’ exclaimed Farhad on stage, before starting to sing the song which includes the lyrics ‘Bijlee ayai na ayai, hamara dhol bajai ga’.
Nasir Sain [Dhol] and Kala Sain [Dhol] then joined the rest on stage, as Ustad Jaffer Hussain exited. At this point the excited crowd knew they were in for a hard core jam-session-like performance, with Farhad taking centre stage on drums. It was an energy packed collaboration between the Sains, DJ Faisal, Sheraz on keyboards and Farhad, which ultimately led to dancing and clapping by the crowd, with every beat that emanated from the stage. Bringing the performance to a climax, Nasir Sain began rotating with the dhol strapped to him, as Farhad got louder and faster on the drums. The crowd was mesmerized.
In the end Farhad thanked BNU for having Overload perform at their event. “There is so much negativity right now so hats off to you guys for making such events possible”, said Farhad. “You are the face of a progressive Pakistan and the youth is our future”, he ended.
A multi-category annual event by BNU, Lahore, BNU Bestival 2013 was spread over a span of four days from 7th March to 10th March 2013. It is an exceptional, one of a kind experience that students not only enjoy but also learn from. It aims to provide a platform for talented amateurs to showcase their latent skills along with promoting student culture.
By associating itself with such festivals, Overload aspires to support and encourage liberal arts, and healthy competition in Pakistan, at the same time entertaining students like they’ve never been entertained before! These festivals provide a medium of interaction between the youth, which is inevitably the future of this country.
About Overload
Overload (Urdu: اورلوڈ) is a Pakistani rock band from Lahore, Punjab, formed in 2003. The group is directed by producer, lead vocalist and drummer, Farhad Humayun and keyboard/synth player, songwriter and composer, Sheraz Siddiq, who were soon joined by Hassan Mohyeddin on percussion along with dhol players Nasir Sain and Kala Sain. The band has been widely regarded by many critics as being the “Loudest band in Pakistan”.
Since their inception, the band has released two studio albums and two live albums. The band released their debut self-titled album Overload in December, 2006. The album charted at the top in the local Pakistani music charts, and singles from the album included instrumentals “Dhamaal”, “Cursed” and “Storm”.
After the release of the album, dhol player Nasir Sain joined the band. In 2008, due to the success of the band’s debut album, their single “Dhamaal” got nominated for the “Best Music Video” award at the Lux Style Awards.
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. In an online poll by Dawn News the band’s video for their single, “Pichal Pairee”, was voted as the third best music video of 2010.
Subsequently “Dhol Bajay Ga!” was released as “Batti” with Humayun’s vocals, followed by Humayun taking over as the permanent vocalist and also being the drummer of the band. 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. The latest release by Overload which was a cover of a Syed Noor film song “Neray Aah” has been their biggest hit to date & the Overload Live At The Apartment sessions have won the band more respect & critical acclaim.
Overload featured on the fifth season of Coke Studio in which Farhad took over as drummer in the house band.
BAND MEMBERS:
Farhad Humayun – Drums/Vocals
Sheraz Siddiq – Synth/Keys
Nasir Sain – Dhol
SESSION ARTISTS:
Farhan Ali – Bass
Ahmad Waqar – Guitars
Umair Nadeem – Guitars
Kaala Sain – Dhol
Ken Zeerick – Drums
Faisal Baig – DJ
COLLABORATIONS:
Ustad Hamid Ali Khan
Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan
Khan Sahib Allah Loke
Mekal Hassan
Shahzad Hameed
Haider Hashimi
Sarmad Ghafoor
Haroon Shahid
Hassan Omar
Hassan Moheyuddin
Syed Shahryar Jabbar
