It's been more than 3 years since legendary controversial song Sutta was released by Karachi based Band "Zeest" of Saqib Abdullah & Umair Ghouri. On April 2005, the song was released on internet, which eventually became the smoker's anthem, but all these years the song not only became a big hit among Desi youths around the world but also have a big fan following among every age group. Plus the single was hailed by well known Indian critics as a masterpiece. The song was about a man's journey in different phases of life, where he comically matches his fag with some of the painful social experiences. In India the song became a widespread subject of live concert covers and remixes. A series of articles were published critically acclaiming the song in southeast-Asia's media. Some critics, especially Rashmi Bansal the founder-editor of youth magazine JAM claim that it might be the turning point in South Asian media. Within no time, Sutta became one of the most discussed songs in forums and web logs. In 2007 a controversial commercial remix video "Sutta Mix" by an Indian DJ, appeared on international Music channels, without the consent of the band, the remix version was copied and ripped off from the original track. Resulting in a widespread roar and was loathed by fans & general viewers. 
The band gave a telephonic interview for a 30 minute show on Star News and an interview published on Hindustan Times newspaper. Plus the Rolling Stones magazine of India conducted the interview of the band for their very first Indian issue.
Zeest is a duo of Saqib Abdullah a.k.a Skip and Umair Ghouri. Following is an interview exclusively for Fiesta given by Skip, the band's owner, vocalist, songwriter and a guitar player.
How did Zeest come about or the whole concept of 'Zeest: A Social Music Project' originates?
Skip: I've been a part of many short lived underground rock bands, where every member of each band use to had some different approach towards the music. Mostly my contributions towards songwriting were either rejected or brutally altered by the teammates. Finally I had to form the Zeest back in 2003. So with Zeest I am able to dictate my own songs. I chose the Persian word Zeest meaning Life to depict the purpose of the band, as my music & lyrical ability progressed I've realised the social aspect of the music; my music is all about average life of people. People in society facing problems I've realised there are already many bands and musical acts, and the only way to distinguish my band, my work is to put a slogan with the title 'Zeest: A Social Music Project'
Tell us more about the members of Zeest and their contribution to the band.
Skip: Right from the beginning I've faced many problems of retaining permanent band members. Mostly young aspiring musicians are either into metallic or into romantic 'boys' band'. None of them were interested in my lyrical motives and musical taste. For a very long time I'd stayed as a solo artist with Zeest. But on January 2007 I finally recruit a friend Umair Ghouri, a very talented & creative guitar player & vocalist. We had couple of jams and we both enjoyed each others company. He easily synchronised himself into my music. Finally I offered him a permanent slot in Zeest. Now we both are acting as a Zeest Duo and working together on the album.
What are your influences? 
Skip: Well, we are more into blues & old time rock n roll, and it wasn't wrong when famous Willie Dixon says 'Blues are the roots else are the fruits', I also loves to listen Jazz, Soul, Blue Grass, R&B, Rockabilly, Country, also interested in Indian classic music too. And I prefer to listen to all those artists that have a blend of these musical flavours.
I usually love to listen to all the classic acts from artists like BB King, Albert King, Freddie King, Skip James, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Eddie Cochran, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, John Mayall & the Blues Breakers, Eric Clapton & The Cream, Hendrix, The Who, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Band, The Zombies, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Van Morrison etc.
What was the main inspiration for the sutta song? And how was the studio experience?
Skip: Well it was a catchphrase, which my dads use to say when he was angry on my smoking habit. "Sutta peeta hai lafangon ke saath!!" During those days I was in college and was quite reckless and rebellious. My dad was very angry on my attitude. So after some memorable experiences I was able to write something which could portray my own life in a satirical manner. Almost a year later, in early April 2005, in a jamming session at "DIGI PRO Studio" formerly known as "DRB STUDIO', Zeeshan Hayat enjoyed the song and offered to record the track live at his studio. We quickly made the necessary arrangements and recorded the song live. Zeeshan Hayat mastered the song and I released the song by uploading it on couple of websites.
Did you expect the song to catch on like wildfire?
Skip: Well at a certain level I did expected, because prior to the recording & releasing of the track, wherever I'd performed, people irrespective of what age or gender they belong to, always appreciated it. I always knew that people are going to love and appreciate it but I never thought about millions of Desi people all across the globe are going to relate this song with their lives. I had written this song to represent my own life story and initially I thought it's all about the life of an average 'tapori' boy. But, later I've discovered that I was wrong because people irrespective of their gender and age could easily relate their lives with my song. I guess it's an honor for me.
Do your Parents know about the song?
Skip: My fans get astonished when I tell them that my parents still don't know about the song. They never believe this, but it's a fact. My parents only know that I've done something in music but they don't know anything more.
Tell us more about Sutta... the chord riffs, why you chose it to sound more acoustic rather than metal given that normally songs of such nature or social comment are usually typecast into the heavy metal mode?
Skip: The music of Zeest is more towards Country and bluesy natured rock songs. The best thing about Country music's lyrics is that they are story based. People love to listen stories about there lives, stories which truly depict them. I've observed Country and blues songs are more social oriented than any other music.
Well I love acoustic sound; it's more like a raw or you may say… more pure or natural sound. I did try to experiment on electric guitars and Amps but the lyrics and music of the Sutta was more suited to the acoustic environment.
Tell us more about your latest album and the new single. What kind of instruments are you working on and what's the tone of the album? Is it going to make a social comment or is it lighter in nature?
Skip: The album is a mixture of both. Directly or indirectly most of them are hymn of social and emotional context of average life. To give a particular bluesy and country sound we've carefully selected Instruments from acoustic, electric guitars & bass, keyboards, organs, harmonica, drums & congas. My work is quite different from the mainstream music and such music rarely performed by our artists. So far I've tried to sound the album more natural and clean driven with riffs and filled with distinctive melodies.
Next single is about an average indo-pak's financially frustrated youth life. It's all about how the lack of resources in Indo-Pak is limiting a determined young man's life. Once again it'll be so easy for everyone to relate this song with their lives. Zeest team is confident to say that this song will be another turning point in our music scene.
Most people your age are trying to blend into current genres of music and not trying hard enough for social messages through their art. You seem to have blended the best of both worlds. What made you think of writing songs about the youth of Pakistan?
Skip: You'll find an average life struggle everywhere, in every culture, in every age group. But you'll rarely find our musician highlighting these issues. I've observed mostly local artists emphasising on complex social issues or just compromising the lyrics for love songs. Might be the issues which Zeest loves to highlight seems minor to them. I grew up facing all those things. We all observe the lighter and brighter sides of life, I guess it's my inner feelings which drive me to write & compose songs in such context.
The song right now has become a major hit in the underground circuits. Would you release a censored version of the song to appeal to the mainstream?
Skip: Well, it's a demand by many music channels and record labels so initially I did plan to release a censored version. But later realised that it seems too much commercial approach & truly speaking it'll ruin the charm & essence of the original piece. So I've rejected the idea of redoing the song with altered lyrics.
Why after such a tremendous response from the first single, The Zeest rarely showed up on mainstream. Is that carefully planned or do you guys just want to keep a low profile and let your music do the talking. Do elaborate.
Skip: Obviously wanted to show our work in the mainstream, that's the only way an artist can easily communicate in a better way to the audience. Due to some personal problems we were unable to promote The Zeest and our music into mainstream more aggressively.
There are lot of interviews we have given to magazines and newspapers. The first interview was published in a Mumbai based newspaper/Magazine 'Mid Day Daily' Published on January 2006. Later we gave series of interviews to many reputable magazines and newspapers including Hindustan Times, Man's World magazine, first issue of Indian version of Rolling Stones magazines, plus a telephonic interview to Star news Delhi. Recently we performed live on Pakistan's music channel Play TV plus an interview and performance for a documentary show on Express News.
Though you guys have received many international offers for concert & performances, why didn't you guys showed up on such big events?
Skip: Well due to heavy studio schedules and some other important projects we were unable to attend such big events. Very soon we will be coming up on the mainscreen and promoting the band more aggressively and starting a big Pakistan tour. The big tour going to include concerts, TV & radio shows & performances.