[3] Earlier in 2019, kW & FDM won Rock Song of the Year for 'Todi, the Smoker'[4] at the annual Video Music Awards,[5] beating bands from India, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
Khurram did exactly that, graduating from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, with a master's degree in information systems management.
He was predominantly influenced by Western rock and roll, and was an avid fan of groups such as Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Whitesnake, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden.
Over the years, he has had a wide range of other influences, including Indian classical and semi-classical music, whilst creating his own eclectic style.
Brothers in Arms[1][12] is the world's first India-Pakistan-USA-based rock band, consisting of 3 award-winning artists: They have collaborated online from their respective countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the belief that music transcends all boundaries.
This group created an opportunity to combine experience and knowledge, and bring expertise to the forefront for anyone who is interested, ranging from upcoming musicians to bands to music producers to listeners.
Since the moderators are primarily guitar players and producers, the group focuses on subjects ranging from guitar-playing styles, individual approaches to music, songwriting, and upcoming projects.
The aim of this group is to provide a new perspective and approach in terms of treating art as a means of self-expression rather than a route to success.
While he has actively been part of various rock outfits since 1992, Khurram has also dabbled in solo guitar instrumentals in parallel, that has, over the years, resulted in a considerable body of work.
[21] The band's rather unusual name refers to the members' complete belief in themselves, immersed heart and soul, or literally face down, into their art; original, off beat and totally independent.
[27] While working with Madam Abida for 'Bazm e Rang'[28] Khurram found her to be, "the true essence of a Sufi soul in both her life and music.
"[17] In 2018 Khurram collaborated with Dubai-based musician Nikhil Raj Uzgare who is the vocalist of the award-winning rock band, Point of View,[29] based in Dubai.
Their collaboration resulted in the soft ballad 'Baatein',[30][31] ostensibly far removed from the progressive rock sound of Khurram's other ventures but approached with a similar focus on execution.
The whole process was a unique experience, entailing cross geographical digital exchange of musical notes, long distance recordings and finally the in-person meeting in Dubai to shoot the video 'guerrilla style'.
[17] The first band Khurram ever featured in, was 'Fantazia' with school mates and good friends Suhaib Kiani, Taimur Khan[32] and Sabih Zaman.
While in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States to pursue his master's degree in Information Systems Management,[9] Waqar formed an instrumental band 'Cocytus' with a group of fellow Carnegie Mellon students.
The band was multicultural and multi-ethnic in nature, with Rodrigo Escobar,[36] the bassist, hailing from Chile; Frank Boucamp,[37] the rhythm guitarist, from Germany; and Ammar, the drummer, an American of Indian origin.
[citation needed] Upon his return from the US, kNuMb[35] rebanded with Waqar on the lead guitars, Qasim on vocals, Faraz on bass, Abdul Ahad on rhythms and Sharjeel on drums, to be later replaced by Kami.
kNuMb's hallmark became their mixed set of instrumentals as well as originals like Anjaani Rahain, Lamhe and Majhi, while their covers of Audioslave were particularly well liked.
Around this time a couple of Steve Vai-Joe Satriani inspired G3 concerts were arranged by fans, in which Waqar performed alongside eminent guitarists like Faraz Anwar, Sarmad Ghafoor and Zeejah Fazli.