interview with Blackhour
What´s the name of your band? Ans: Blackhour
How was the band formed? Ans: Bunch of college kids just wanted to play some good music.
Can you tell about your band? Ans: Blackhour is an internationally reputed heavy metal band from Islamabad, Pakistan.
Where are all band members from? Ans: Everyone lives within the city .. all locals.
Who does what in the band?
Ans: Tayyab Rehman – Vocals
Hashim Mehmood – Guitars
Mubbashir Sheikh ‘Mashoo’ – Guitars
Salman Afzal – Bass
Daim Mehmood – Drums
Chaudhry Ali Hassan – CoManager
Hassaan Ahmed – Manager
What was the ambitions of the band when you started?
Ans: Inspired by some old heavy metal acts and wanted to create something similar and new with the feeling that one day people will sing our songs. Doing it all for the love of metal \m/
Wanting to play some good music.
Could you explain your music to someone that haven't heard you? Ans: Its mostly inspired from Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Alice in Chains and such bands.
Where was your first gig? Ans: At an auditorium at some music fest.
Who writes your songs? who writes the music who writes lyrics? Ans: Lyrics are mostly written by our singer and music something we all work on to add different flavor to our songs.
Who has the best since of humor in the band? Ans: Hahahaha now that is something you’d have to figure out on ur own.
What genre do you feel you are? Ans: Blackhour is a heavy metal band.
Why did you pick that particular style?/What are your songs about? Metal is Metal .. it kinda clicks with us. Our songs usually vary on what we are usually going through.
Do you write your own material or mainly covers? Ans: We play covers but we mostly focus on our own material.
Have you made any albums?/If yes what are they? Ans: Our debut album “Age of War” was released via Yourlabel Records USA back in 2011. Its available online and on different stores. It was a concept album based on the state of war the country was going through.
Do you have any clips on YouTube? Ans: Yes for sure. Search ‘Blackhour’ and you’ll find loads of songs.
How old are you?/What got you started in music? Ans: Started in 2007 .. so I guess we are kinda old now. haha
At what age did you start playing? Ans: All of us started at a pretty young age .. I’d say around 13 or so.
How old were you guys when you first stood on stage? Ans: we were in high school when as a band we made our live appearance.
What year was the band started? Ans: 2007
Best/worst gig you've played? Ans: there have been many best and worst gigs .. hard to explain it all here. hahaha
What places will you be playing in in the imidate future? Ans: Mostly international shows.
Where have you played from then till now? Ans: So far within Pakistan .. almost every major city.
Is it always the same songs live? Ans: We try to keep it fresh rather than being a carnival band. haha
What has been the best/most promising gig so far? Ans: Now a days seeing people sing our songs makes every gig “the best gig”.
Have you had any bigger tours from start to now? Ans: Yeh a few .. playing for massive crowds and all.
How big crowds do you usually play for? Ans: In Pakistan playing for a crowd of 2500 plus is a huge thing for rock/metal.
What are the plans for the rest of the year? Ans: International promotions and shows.
How do you get psyched up for a gig? Ans: After seeing the crowd.
What are your goals with your music? Ans: To spread a good message.
When did you decide to go all in for the music? Ans: Since we started to get famous. Hahaha and got the true appreciation from our fans and friends.
What's the first step when making a new song? Ans: Each of us have their own way to write and create. Some of us jam for hours. While a few make the entire song in their heads and then they pick up the guitars, can you imagine? haha
How do you feel about the downloading of music instead of buying albums? Ans: As long as people show up for live concerts .. we are cool with downloads.
What would be your dreams for the band? Ans: To be one of the best heavy metal to emerge from Pakistan.
Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to? Ans: We listen from soft to heavy. As long as it’s good music and a good song.
What would be your greatest fears for the future? Ans: A band shouldn’t break up .. because a band is like a family.
When you are on stage, what do you fear most then? Ans: Being professional musicians it isn’t the fear anymore its rather the adrenaline that we enjoy on stage live.
What songs and what years were they released? Ans: Age of War debut single was released in 2010 followed by Salvation (single) in 2011 and then the entire album. Eventually we released official music videos of the two singles.
Have you been part of any other projects? Ans: Tayyab and Mashoo usually do side projects on and off.
Have you been in any other bands? Ans: Mashoo plays a for a few different bands.
What would you do if there was no music? Ans: DEAD! haha
How important are your fans? Ans: Fans are what makes us who we are.
What's the funniest/most memorable thing a fan has done for you? Ans: Autograph giving hahaha
Where do you rehearse? Ans: At our jam room and sometimes at our studio.
Name 2 of your own songs you like at the moment? Ans: We love the new upcoming material.
What drives a band that isn't all that famous and renowned to try to make a living on their music and to keep playing? Ans: The constant support of fans. Truly!
Do you have any webpages? Ans: www.facebook.com/blackhourofficial
Any pearls of wisdom for all other bands out there? Ans: Stay true to your music guys.
Describe your show, visually and musically Ans: Its very very energetic. Blackhour is a live band as said by our fans.
How would you describe your sound in one sentence Ans: Heavy Metal/Rock
Do you have anything to add? Thank you friend for interviewing Blackhour and showing support.