"Neither pop nor rock but fused music."
Gurus Trilogy
It becomes self-evident the moment you hear them sing the very first note of their debut song, Daastaan, which is a slice of mega-hit delivered with a voice that pins you and music that holds your attention, in the most persuasive of ways, to the wall. Their name is Gurus Trilogy, and they were born to do this. The kind of radio and TV play that established artists can only dream of, there seems to be no stopping these three!
The current line-up of the band includes:
* Glenn Silverious John on Lead Vocals & Backing Vocals [Date of Birth: 10th January]
* Ahmed Sayyam Rana on Guitars & Backing Vocals [Date of Birth: 4th April]
* Mohsin Allah Ditta on Keyboards, Synths & Backing Vocals [Date of Birth: 4th February]
Strange but true facts about each band member:
* Mohsin can''t loose weight!
* Sayyam loves to sleep no mater what!
* Glenn always gets over excited about things!
Can you tell us briefly about the history of the band? And how the three of you came together…
Mohsin always wanted to have a band of his own and was trying since the time when he was in school, luckily found Sayyam who was his neighbor and they both formed a band called ''Aasaar'' and got selected for Pepsi Battle of the Bands (2002) in the top 20 artists of Pakistan which included Mekaal Hasan, Aaroh, EP and others. Unfortunately, didn't work out that will to reach for the top 10 position. Later on Mohsin started Gurus again with Sayyam and made compositions like Dastaan, Kahon Tum Say, Jagi Hoe Ankhon Mein, Intezaar and Jogiyaan Dey Naal. Glenn use to come to the studio to record jingles with Mr. Qamar Allah Ditta. That's how Glenn got an offer from Mohsin to join Gurus, back in Jan 2005. And Gurus Trilogy came into existence.
How would you characterize your music? Can you name some influences?
Neither pop, nor rock. Its basically fused music. As far as influences...Glenn's influences are his father [Mr. SB John], RD Burman and Eagles. Mohsin loves music performed by his own family. Plus bands like Bon Jovi, Vital Signs and composers like Mr. RD Burman.Whereas Sayyam is a big fan of hard rock bands like, Bon Jovi, Europe, Scorpions, Firehouse, Megadeth, Evanescence, Vital Signs, Junoon and Mekaal Hasan.
The nation has certainly been a hotbed for new bands recently. Do you consider yourselves part of this scene? Or do you have an objection with being lumped together with a bunch of other bands based on location?
It's a good feeling being a part of the crowd and still having a distinct flavor.
When did you start recording the album? And how long was the entire process?
Started working on the album in Jan 2005. The first song we recorded was Intezaar... or maybe Dastaan... The whole process of the album recording took around 1 year which includes many sleepless nights but Sayyam never slept in the studio while recording or doing his part of work for the album.
This is your first major undertaking, recording-wise. Was it what you expected? Can you talk about the experience of being in the studio working on a full-length album?
Definitely! When we started working for the album the final results we were getting out of the songs were not as expected. However many things were very spontaneous at the time of the recording which gave it a different sound overall.
Who's responsible for the lyrics and where do you get your inspiration?
The culprit who is responsible for the lyrics is our dear friend Ovais Sohail. The basic inspirations are events and experiences from our life and what we''ve been through.
How have the reactions to the album been so far? Or is it still too early to answer?
Till yet its good but still it's quite early to answer.
A few weeks ago you guys played your launch show which wasn't live except for the last song. The performance itself was very impressive. What was the reason for playing a recorded show when you are all classically trained?
We always wanted to do it live and we tried to convey to the channel that we can do it live, but they were not satisfied with the idea as they have never seen us performing live before. If we talk technically the quality of live sound is not good when it comes on air.
As a band you all have played quite a few shows already. How have the reactions of the crowds been?
Till yet its good, while playing, we infact learn a lot through our mistakes and new idea's comes as well. The crowds enjoy our live performances a lot.
Are there any songs out locally that you''re really hooked to?
Glenn - Jhok Ranghan by Mekaal Hasan Band
Mohsin - Rabba by Mekaal Hasan Band
Sayyam - Alvida by Salman Ahmed and all songs by the Mekaal Hasan Band
What should one expect from Gurus Trilogy in 2006?
Gurus Trilogy going International... (InshaAllah!)
Any shoutouts or shameless self promotion?
We weren''t planning to... errm... this is very tempting...
Gurus Trilogy was talking to
Chapter 1: Aghaaz - Reviewed!
By Omair Alavi
Famed ghazal singer S.B. John's son Glenn and musician Javed Allah Ditta's lad Mohsin team up with guitarist Sayyam Rana to come up with Gurus Trilogy's debut album Aghaaz Chapter 1 — an amalgamation of eastern and western music with the vocals, arrangement and guitars all merging well together.
It features 12 songs — two remixes and 10 original numbers — and kicks off to a splendid start with the quickie Kahoon Tum Se. Daastan is the band's first song to be made into a music video and it steadies the pace with its rhythmic flute, soothing lyrics and stimulating composition. Saqalbun is a western song in eastern mould where Glenn shines as the true deliverer of raags and rap. Sayyam's guitar work is at its very best in Jagi Hui Aankhoon where the music completely entertains, overshadowing the vocals and lyrics. Talat Mehmood's Tasveer Teri Dil Mera, the evergreen 60-year-old non-filmi ghazal, is paid a glowing tribute by Glenn who also gives his vocal chords much-needed exercise and excels.
Pyar Mera is a passable number without which the world would have been the same. It falls flat despite a guest appearance by M. Nasir as lyricist which gives the song an Alamgir-esque touch. Deewaron Ko is also mentionable and is not only melancholic (the mood of the target market being the youth) but also diversified, while Intezar is amazingly brilliant as it starts slowly with Glenn in control all the way. The song moves on a standard pace with Mohsin's arrangement paving the way for greatness.
Ishq is a Punjabi number for a certain audience hence would be liked by some and fast-forwarded by others. Glenn shows his brilliance in the classic Shaam as he supports the compositions of his fellow band members by rendering his vocals to the best of his abilities. Ustad Amanat Ali Khan's Aae Watan is paid an awful tribute and it would have been better had they come up with an original patriotic number rather than the remix.
Aghaaz is brought to an emphatic conclusion with Jogiyan De Naal, a Punjabi funky track which is good enough to give Abrar and company a run for their money. The 'standard and over-popular' Pakistan Hockey team theme is bound to make one cheerfully nostalgic and makes it a crowd-puller.
All the songs have been written by the promising newcomer Ovais Sohail. As for the brand of music of Gurus Trilogy, it is just as the band members said earlier: "Neither pop nor rock but fused music."
Courtesy: DAWN, Images
http://www.cityfm89.com/cityfm89web/StarOfTheMonthDetail.asp x?nStarID=21
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