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Mess to Amertad
By Zebra & Hesam Garshasbi
zebra@tehranavenue.com
December 2002
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When we were putting the UMC works together for the competition, we found out that due to technical problems one of the pieces called “Don't Cry” by Mes will not be ready to go online. We subsequently decided to make up for the loss by interviewing band members. Later it came to our attention that Mes is no more in existence for the reasons stated in the interview, and its main member, Naeeim Meschian, has put together another band that took part in the competition (Amertad). Apparently Amertad did not actually exist at the time we were still soliciting works and that the competition gave them an initiative to record “Javidan,” which was composed and written by Naeeim years ago. Amertad became serious after this recording and members now consider themselves a “band.” Ali, the guitarist, Mahyar, the drummer, and Naeem, made “Javidan” the second most popular track in the competition. Later, Farzad joined the band.

 

Naeeim Meschian started music at the age of 14. When he bought his first guitar he was so beside himself that his mind raced on the stings of his guitar as he walked home from Baharestan Square. His family was musically inclined, but he never dared show the very first song he ever wrote to anyone. They all thought it was someone else's work. At the beginning he used to write his songs in a crypt so that only he could understand them.

 

More serious work came along after his acquaintance with Amir Tavassoli (of Pedjvak Rock Band). Amir had a major role in the formation of Mes. He was also instrumental in recording the works of the band. "I'm always indebted to Amir," Naeeim likes to point out in several places in the interview. He acquired his harmony through studying books and consulting professionals. To learn singing he attended classes of Mohammad Nouri and Mohammadreza Sadeqi.

 

Mahyar Pourhesabi, who got to know Naeem in Pedjvak rehearsal sessions, was born in 1976. He started listening to Rock music under the influence of his brother and chose drums as his favorite instrument. He does not know music academically, has never had a teacher, and is familiar with rhythms through listening. His professional career started after meeting with Amir Tavassoli in Azita Hajian's theater troupe.

 

In the Pedjvak series of concerts in Kish Island, he was the lead singer. As a drum player he has worked with the groups of Masoud Khadem and Mehrdad Hoveida (contemporary Pop singers) and with the underground band of Sohrab Mohebi. He has had a lot of experience working in theater. He acted and played music in The Caucasian Chalk Circle of director Hamid Samandarian, Gorg o Mish, Tagh-Sir, and 32 Minutes of the Event. He holds a BA in acting and theater and has had many television roles. The most interesting band he was involved in was named Dampaee (Slippers). 

 

Farzad Golpayegani is a graphic arts graduate and beside music he enjoys painting. He has had two painting exhibits in Tehran. He got into Rock music through his brother as well, bought his first guitar at the age of 9, and has just recently bought an electrical guitar. He has worked solo on an album called Siahi including Rock and Heavy Metal pieces. Interestingly, he has got the permit from the Music Office of the Ministry of Culture to release Siahi. TehranAvenue readers will find short snippets of Farzad’s work in this page as well.

 

Ali Esfehani, another member of the band, could not take part in the interview but answered our questions over the phone, especially relating to the show-offish nature of his guitar work in “Javidan”. He is an industrial engineer and has never had any experience in official music bands; he didn’t take music seriously until he meet Naeeim. He admits that his electric guitar piece in “Javidan” was not void of ostentations, but at the same time he does not consider the piece a true representative of his works; furthermore, he points out, “Javidan” is an old song and his work has evolved since then.

 

Members of Amertad are friendly and pleasant – four young people with high hopes looking for much bigger challenges. In all that they say there is a sparkle of hope. They think globally and see no geographical boundaries for their work. To achieve a meaningful fusion of Classical and Metal music, the band in general and Naeeim Meschian in particular have devoted a lot of time and energy.

 

Time will show how the band will succeed in years to come. The interview took place in early December in the office of TehranAvenue.



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