Music Makers & Dreamers of Dreams - Zain Peerzada, Progressive Metal Band Guitarist

In Pakistan the progressive-rock music scene is very slim and with very few people making it happen, (band Takatak being one of them), it  makes the genre special – the band is filled to the brim with hugely talented and captivating artists.  These talented guys have been around for some time now – we spoke with the guitarist of the band, Zain Peerzada about all things Takatak, future plans and much more...

Tell us a bit about yourself and your music that you’re currently working on

I play guitar in a progressive metal band called Takatak, so my time in the past 10 years have been spent either in front of a laptop making music, or on stage playing a gig. The music that I’m making right now is pulverising, crushing, heavy, bone crushing, as well as some of the ‘poppiest’ music I’ve ever been  a part of, which is a bit of a paradox, but I’m super stoked.

What first got you into music?

My dad got me a tabla set when I was seven and an uncle of mine gave me my first guitar when I was 11. I then soon discovered nu-metal acts such as Linkin Park and System of a Down and that was that.

Who inspired you to make music?

Everyone in all the bands I started listening to back in the day. James Hetfield used to be my hero.

How would you describe the music that you typically create?

Crushing, pulverising, bone crushing, heavy.

What is your creative process like?

Usually involves a laptop, a guitar and a few of my closest friends.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

Metallica. That would be sick.

Do you sing in the shower? What songs?

Stuff my wife listens to in the car. The Weeknd. That dude is amazing.

What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

Probably working in video, which I already do.

Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?

All over Pakistan, as well as Amritsar, India and Oslo, Norway. Oslo would have to be the best one. The worst venue I’ve played in, was someone’s backyard in Mughalpura. We have a livestream show coming up with Skillbox/Bohemian Live from India.

How do you feel the social media has impacted the music business?

It’s basically removed the middle man, which is great but it also has its downsides – over saturation being one of them.

What is your favourite song to perform?

The Whale - Takatak

Toofan - Karakoram

Which famous musicians (local and international) do you admire?

Shamsher Rana from Wisdom Salad, local.

Keshav Dhar or Misha Mansoor, internationally.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

Work hard, and don’t kid yourself. Grind, grind, grind. Kill that ego.

If you could change anything about Pakistan’s music industry, what would it be?

People with inflated egos need to go…

2020 has been…

A bummer and a half.

What’s next for you?

We’re just about to drop our debut full length record, ‘Acrophase’, and are about to get started on the next release. We’ve written 30 songs, so now it’s time to whittle it down to the meat.

What is one message you would give to your fans?

Djent.