Noori
is a Pakistani rock band from Lahore. Noori is one of the pioneering
rock bands from Pakistan. Comprising two brothers, Ali Noor and Ali
Hamza, the band is known for its hard hitting impact in a multitude of
interactive experiences, be they audio-visual, live, interpersonal or
internet based.
The band of two brothers is considered one of the pioneering forces
behind what is dubbed as the '21st Century Pop Revolution of Pakistan'.
Early years (2000-2002)
Before forming Noori, Ali Noor and Ali Jafri were part of Coven, a
lahore-underground band. They played rock music and released an EP 'Not
in your world'. The underground scene before 2002 in Lahore was
flourishing and produced good music and concerts. In 2000, Noori finally
came into being with members Ali Noor, Ali Hamza, Gumby and Muhammad Ali
Jafri.
Suno Ke Main Hun Jawan (2003-2005)
The band released their debut album, Suno Ke Main Hun Jawan, in 2003.
Their album was a record breaker for any debutant in the history of
Pakistani Pop Music. Not just in terms of record sales, but the band
performed over two hundred concerts within the first two years of coming
out into the music scene.
Many songs of Noori's debut album, "Suno Ke Mein Hun Jawan" had
developed a cult following before the album's release in 2003 through
leaks on the internet. These leaks led to the high public anticipation
for the album and contributed to its success. "Suno Ke Mein Hun Jawan"
offers a complicated mix of sounds, starting from a folk-like "Manwa Re"
that was actually written for a Pakistani film but was rejected, to hard
rock anthems to youth like the title track.
Peeli Patti Aur Raja Jani Ki Gol Dunya (2005)
They released their second album, "Peeli Patti Aur Raja Jani Ki Gol
Dunya", in September 2005.
Noori's second album, Peeli Patti Aur Raja Jani Ki Gol Dunya, on the
other hand, starts off in a somewhat hopeful mood and then travels
through bitter experiences and ends up with resigned despair, peppered
with taunts. The album deals with a variety of subjects ranging from the
pros and cons of drug use to the collective apathy we all have descended
into as individuals and as a society.
Over a span of 6 years the band has put out two albums (Suno Ke Main Hun
Jawan – 2003, Peeli Patti Aur Raja Jani Ki Gol Dunya – 2005), they have
performed over 400 concerts, self-produced 10 music videos and won 3
major music awards [Two time award winners at the Indus Music Awards;
Best Rock Song Category – Suno Ke Main Hun Jawan (2004), Nishaan (2006);
1st MTV (Pakistan) Video Music Awards 2007; Winner of Best Breakthrough
Video – Meray Log.
Recent Years (2005-Present)
In 2005 Muhammad Ali Jafri, who was playing bass guitar for Noori, left
the band and started his own business. In 2006, Noori parted ways with
John Louis Pinto (aka ‘Gumby’), the band's drummer, as he was busy doing
side projects with other bands as a session player, and unable to give
much time to Noori. For now on Noori has two band members and they are
both blood brothers, Ali Noor and Ali Hamza.
There were rumours that the band has been broken up, but these were
refuted by both the brothers. The band has been busy touring
internationally and has just started work on their third studio album.
The band intends to release their third album soon.
In late 2008, they released their single "Do Dil" along with the video
which was actually their first ever song back in 1996. The song has been
reproduced exactly as it was composed 13 years ago.The concept of the
video is to highlight, through old video footage, a few of the key
persons who have played a vital role in the Noori journey.
In 2009 they performed at the Coke Studio Sessions along with artists
like Atif Aslam, Saieen Zahoor, Zeb and Haniya, Ali Zafar and many other
successful artists.
Studio albums
Suno Ke Main Hun Jawan (2003)
Peeli Patti Aur Raja Jani Ki Gol Dunya (2005)
Awards
Noori won the Best Rock Song Award at MTV Music Awards 2009.
Noori was selected as "Picked Artist Of The Month" on the Pakistani
music channel called "The Musik" in June 2006.
Noori has won the Best Rock Song Award for Nishan in Indus Music Awards
2006.
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