The new generation of Pakistanis, especially those brought up with both east and west influences, now has music it can identify with. Relaxed and unpretendous, Brian and Salman answered some questions. Noama Mirza talks to them.

Naoma: When and why was the need for a different kind of band felt?
Salman:The need presented itself. As teenagers we had no youth oriented music that could entertain us, so we made music to entertain ourselves.

Naoma: Were you initially successful?
Salman:No, our first performance comprised an audience of six people, out of which four were our relatives.

Naoma: How successful have you been so far?
Salman:Even though we are a Pakistani band, there is immense pressure on us to do our next album; that in itself makes a statement.
Brian: The challenges though, that have come with success are far greater now.

Naoma: Why were you banned from PTV?
Salman: There is a feudal culture that wants us to behave like servants and we were not prepared to do anything that asked for our potential to be compromised. It forced us to venture into the international media where we realised we were more in demand. So, in a way it was a blessing in disguise.

Naoma: Are you dejected by the anti-freedom elements in our country?
Salman: Since no one man can change the whole world, we must do whatever we can, no matter how small a difference that makes. For example, what we did in India was very satisfying. The two countries were almost at war with each other and through our music we helped bring understanding.

Naoma: What is the philosphy behind your band?
Salman:Our band has always had a strong social aspect attached to it, without which it would not have the drive that it does.

Naoma: Are you happy being branded a sufi-rock band?
Brian: No. Because it limit's one potential and working in a restricted frame work becomes difficult.

Naoma: Did you perform in India to perhaps, lessen the tension, that is so forever existent between the two nations?
Salman: No. We spoke from the heart for which we paid heavily. We were there for the music and it was a coincidence that the nucleur blasts took place. It is said that both India and Pakistan, with the enormous amount of talent, constituting 20 percent of the world's population, can't get their act together.
Brian: The world is becoming smaller and smaller and we believe it is time to remove the barbed wires between cultures. Music transcends all barriers and if it doesn't, then I should not be in this band.

Naoma: As a poular band, how do you wish to use your success in the realm of important world issues like peace, justice, politics?
Salman: We would like to bring these issues to a wider audience. We have used the controversy generated to communicate to people and have spoken strongly against nucleur proliferation. We support a few non-governmental organizations in Pakistan, and recently collected a million dollars for a good cause.
Brian: We now feel we have a responsibility to help society

Naoma: Is money important to you?
Salman: It is not everything but it is important because it brings with it the power to create more and better music.

Naoma: How do you counter the criticism that is your music is more hype than sustance?
Salman: In a democracy everybody has a right to an opinion. We are brick builders and wall builders don't like us. There is a team of wall builders in our country who want to build walls everywhere, and don't like our construction company.
Brian: A lot of these people have access to the Press and therefore we are subject to a lot of bad Press.

Naoma: Is your music for all, or does it cater to a certain strata?
Salman: It is for all, but it is the younger, lower middle-class which is truly passionate about our music, the message of freedom: people who have no access to education, to jobs, to good medical facilities.

Naoma: What is the message behind your most poular song Sayonee? Are you saying that society is the monster and the criminal a 'victim' of the injustices of society?
Salman: The song works on a much deeper level. It has a social and spiritual message. Everything that is born is doomed to die; no one knows when that will be, so why the chaos and anarchy. Why can't we live for today.

Naoma: What in the end is your goal?
Salman: I just wantpeople to realize that they should act rather than say. Change doesn't just come. It is something we have to work hard at. The revolution comes from the heart. Our message is what you can do about yourself and making the most of what is available.

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