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Pakistani rock group Junoon has released a 9-11 inspired song along with their latest CD
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Crossover
attempts by non-American bands are always a risky venture; even when
the act is a venerable hit in its own country. For every Ricky
Martin, Bjork or the Cranberries that makes it, there are umpteen
others that don’t; especially those that carry the burden of
having the bulk of the popular material in a language other than
English.
But
don’t quote statistics or name names from the graveyard of
has-been bands to one particular trio that's poised to become a
household name in America. For Pakistani rock band Junoon
(“passion”), the time is ripe to breakthrough to a wider,
western audience. But the band that has been dubbed South Asia’s
“U2", which premiered the video for its first English song,
“No More” at Manhattan’s IndoCenter last week, isn’t waiting
with bated breath for their song to break the top 40.
Their
Pakistani fan base is as loyal as ever; and when all is said and
done, they make music because they love music – even if they never
catch on in the U.S. The fervent devotion of their fans last Friday
was evidence enough that as long as they play their Sufi-inspired
style of rock, people will listen.
The
small main hall of the IndoCenter, a South Asian art and cultural
center, was packed with Junoonis – self-identifying Junoon fans
– who cheered the world premiere of “No More.” The video
coincides with the release of their first DVD, “Junoon for
Peace,” which features footage from concerts given after 9/11 as
well as interviews with the band's members – Muslims Ali Azmat
(lead vocals) and Salman Ahmad (guitar and vocals), and Brian
O’Connel, an American and born-again Christian (bass).
The
song was inspired by a poem written by New York indie journalist
Polar Levine, who lived two blocks away from the World Trade Center
when it was hit. At a concert at Tribeca College after the tragedy,
Levine handed his poem to Ahmad, saying “I trust you with this.”
A year later “No More” was born.
“No
More” and Junoon’s new DVD is the culmination of its
“initiative for peace,” launched last October with a series of
concerts benefiting Afghan refugees. Junoon also performed at
charity fundraisers for victims of the World Trade Center attacks. Proceeds
from the DVD will benefit the WTC victims as well as Pakistani
charities.
The
video shows the band watching footage of them performing on the
rooftop of a building, spliced with images of a man holding placards
with feel-good messages ala INXS or Van Halen music videos. It walks
a safe path of familiar imagery allowing for a smooth, albeit
uneventful introduction to the band.
It’s
the music though that is the true star -- even more so than the
lyrics, which at times are hard to understand. The band seems much
more comfortable in their native Urdu, though they plan to release
more English songs. Soaring guitar riffs, a driving beat and a
wonderful undertone of traditional tabla rhythms infuses the song
with musical staying power.
Ahmad,
who did most of the talking at the event, said the band was
apprehensive about singing in English but is pleased nonetheless
with the results. “It’s a love song, really,” he said. Many
fans though wondered if the band was leaving behind its
Urdu-Pakistani roots to meld into mainstream American rock.
“The
change we’re experiencing now is that we’re focusing our efforts
on reaching a much wider audience,” said O’Connel. “But we
still always sing about peace, brotherhood, God. Those things
don’t change.”
The
band often receives praise and ire alike for promoting their version
of a moderate Islam, though they choose not to enter debate about
rock music’s place in Islam.
“Either
you’re a believer or not a believer,” Ahmad said.
The
band often draws on religious inspiration for much of their music.
Ahmad eagerly spoke of one recent song stirred from the lyrical flow
of the Adhan (call to prayer). But Junoon is equally proud of the
“rock revolution” occurring in Pakistan, citing concerts with
mixed audiences and “women freely enjoying themselves.”
It’s
not so much that Junoon walks a tightrope between Islam and rock
music, but rather they’re writing their own version of the
religion in a way that incorporates their lifestyle and musical
passion. Though many Muslims may wonder if one can be a musician and
a rocker replete with typical rock star attributes (like screaming,
adoring fans) Junoon just accepts both parts of their lives without
worrying about what is appropriate or not.
“Our
message is not about Islam alone, we hope it transcends religious
and cultural differences, it is for all of humanity,” O’Connel
said in an earlier interview. “I am a devout Christian and I
believe that my music, our music is a vehicle to integrate people.
We did not set out to be what we are today, our music has always
been honest and from our souls."
Ahmad
warned about the way Junoon's musical message changes based on
audience interpretation. “We don’t use Sufism [to make money off
our music],” he said. “We have a passion and we sing about it
– and then it gets out there and changes. My message is
tolerance.”
Ali
added, “We have a love for music, that’s it. That’s why we
sing.”
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