Khurram Waqar

Khurram Waqar is a lead guitarist and rock musician from Pakistan. He is also a songwriter and producer. Khurram has been part of various rock outfits over the years with a varying degree of commercial success. Currently Khurram is lead guitarist for the band Qayaas which in December 2010 was awarded the Best Rock Band of Pakistan award in a rock competition organised by Rolling Stone magazine India in collaboration with Jack Daniels,[1] following which Qayaas has figured prominently in local media.[2] The News, one of the leading English language newspapers of the country have termed Qayaas as "self-styled first progressive alternative rock band of Pakistan"[3] and Khurram's skill on the lead guitars has been praised.

In Pittsburgh

While in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States to pursue his master's degree in Information Systems Management, Khurram formed an instrumental band Cocytus with a group of fellow CMU students. The band was multicultural and multiethnic, with Rodrigo Escobar[4] the bassist hailing from Chile, Frank Boucamp[5] the rhythm guitarist from Germany and Ammar at the drums being an American of Indian origin. Cocytus performed in and around the University and had a few gigs in local bars and discos. While in Pittsburgh Khurram also participated in a nationwide talent hunt called guitarmageddon and made it to the Pittsburgh finals.

kNuMb and Root Gate Studio

Upon his return from the US, kNuMb rebanded with Khurram on the lead guitars, Qasim on vocals, Faraz on Bass, Abdul Ahad on Rhythms and Sharjeel on drums to be later replaced by Kami and eventually Fifu. This was the time music and arts in Pakistan were experiencing an unprecedented boom and the music scene was particularly vibrant. kNuMb got to perform in quite a number of concerts in Islamabad and Lahore. kNuMb's hallmark became their mixed set of instrumentals as well as originals like Anjaani Rahain, Lamhe and Majhi while their covers of audio slave were particularly well liked. Around this time a couple of Steve Vai-Joe Satriani inspired G3 concerts were arranged by fans in which Khurram performed alongside eminent guitarists like Faraz Anwar, Sarmad Ghafoor and Zeejah Fazli.[6]

In 2003 Khurram set up a home based music studio called the Root Gate Studio with the facility to record live drums. 70% of Qayaas album and all of kNuMb's material has been recorded there. The studio is meant only for jams and recordings of personal ventures since full-time job does not permit Khurram to rent it out as a professional recording ability; for which it is fully equipped.

Qayaas

In 2008 Waqar and Umair Jaswal formed the band Qayaas, which has released three music videos; "Tanha", "Pukaar" and "Umeed" which are currently doing the rounds on all the Pakistan music channels namely MTV, Aag, ARY Musik, Oye and Play TV. Their debut album, containing 13 songs, is complete and currently the band is in the process of releasing more singles, teasers promos and brainstorming over video concepts. They are also working on compiling their English material in the form of an album.[7]

In December 2010, Qayaas became the first band from Pakistan to win the Rolling Stone-Jack Daniel's annual rock award for best rock band (Pakistan). Qayaas had the honour of being chosen for the award from a nomination of 25 plus rock bands from Pakistan including some well known names.[8][9][3]

Awards and recognition

  • 2010: 'Mera wana' was selected as part of the Metal Asia Compilation of work by rock and metal bands from Lebanon to Singapore.[3]
  • 2010: Qayaas was winner of the Best Rock Band (Pakistan) award by Rolling Stone magazine India in collaboration with Jack Daniels. The band is picked out from amongst 25+ nominations from Pakistan.[2]

References

  1. "Hard Rock Cafe India Blog: JD Awards - Qayaas, Half Step Down & EKA live at Hard Rock Cafe New Delhi on Thursday, 16th December!". alworksonline.com/store/monologues/mercury-the-afterlife-and-times-of-a-rock-god/. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  2. 1 2 "'Our titans of rock music'". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Islamabad's bohemian revolution:Underground music in the Capital is flourishing... so where's the spotlight?". Daily Jang. Archived from the original on 26 January 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  4. "Centro de Estudios Internacionales UC". Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  5. "Dr. Frank Boukamp". Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  6. "Zeejah Fazli, Sarmad Ghafoor n Khurram Waqar Live in Islamabad". Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  7. "Qayaas to launch next album in English". Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  8. "'Our titans of rock music'". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  9. "JD Awards - Qayaas, Half Step Down & EKA live at Hard Rock Cafe New Delhi on Thursday, 16th December!". Hard Rock Cafe India Blog. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
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