Bilal (L) and Faisal of Strings.Photo: Faizul A Tanim

To most young music-lovers who follow the genre of subcontinental band music, Strings is a familiar name. Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood, who hail from Pakistan formed this pop-rock group in 1989. Although Strings has been in the musical arena for over a decade, this group shot to fame with their album "Duur", which was released in 2000. With the accomplishment of "Duur" and the albums that followed, Strings became popular in India. Their last album "Dhaani" and one particular song from that album "Najaney Kyun" elevated Strings to a new level of popularity. "Najaney Kyun" was used in the soundtrack of "Spiderman 2" when the blockbuster movie was released in India.

The duo of Strings are in Dhaka right now to perform at concerts arranged by Benson & Hedges. Here's Strings unraveled:

Why do you call yourselves Strings?
Faisal: Basically there is no specific reason. In 1989, when we were performing at a show, the MC asked us the name of our band and for some reason the word - Strings came to mind.

Strings is a 'pop-rock' band. Explain 'pop-rock'.
Bilal: There is an interesting reason why we call ourselves a pop-rock band. Before Strings was formed in 1989, I used to be a keyboard player. It was after I met Faisal in college and we decided to jam together that I began strumming the guitar. Thus, I was always into mainstream pop and my roots lie there, and it was during the jamming sessions that I developed an interest in rock.

Faisal adds: When Strings was born, the only market in Pakistan was for mainstream pop, so we had to gradually condition the listeners to rock, and this took a while.

You are performing in Dhaka for the first time. What do you think of the response you received from the audience?
Bilal: At the Ampfest on March 11, we received a warm welcome from the crowd. I was surprised to hear people singing along with us. I had no idea we were so popular in Bangladesh, to the extent that people know the lyrics of our songs."

What is your take on the band music scene in the subcontinent?
Faisal: I honestly think Bangladesh and Pakistan have similarities in the trends followed in the band music scene. Popular bands and musicians in both countries compose original songs in our own languages, not in English. I feel, it's necessary to be original. Strings has never done cover versions of popular songs by other artistes or groups. At the Ampfest, before we performed, I didn't get a chance to listen to most of the bands performing. But from what I've heard, the musicians here are doing a fabulous job.

Bilal: In India however, the trend is somewhat different. True to the core band or rock music in Hindi is not widely practiced. Most of the Indian rock groups would rather do cover versions of popular English songs.

How did Spiderman 2 soundtrack happen?
Bilal: We were in India when Sony and Columbia were looking for an Indian rock band to do a song which would be added to the soundtrack of Spiderman 2, prior to releasing the movie in India. Sony and Columbia contacted us thinking that Strings is an Indian band. Initially they asked us to make a song. Dhaani hadn't been released in India yet, but they got hold of the album and heard the song Najaney Kyun and they thought it was the perfect song for the movie.

Would you compose music for films?
Faisal: We have been getting offers to do music for Indian films, but we haven't seriously thought about it. If we get an interesting offer, maybe we would.

Do you write your songs from personal experiences?
Bilal: Very much so. For instance, we went to this hill station in Pakistan and we were completely captivated by the magnificence of nature. If you listen to Dhaani, you'll notice that the songs have been inspired by nature. The word Dhaani itself means the fresh light green colour.