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As we’ve seen that as a band, its’
hard to last long even in the western culture. The only band THE AXE
is not a new name in the Nepali music field. 10 years of music
journey is not a short period. This is a story about ambition and
attitude of course. About three people who formed a band not to become
just famous, but because they wanted to write great songs, to make music
with real honesty and passion, and of course making history in the
Nepali music scenario. ‘We were trying to say that there is an
alternative,’ says Sarad. ‘That you can try to be catchy
without being slick, poppy without being pop, and you can be uplifting
without being pompous (self important). Because we’re sometimes playing
quieter stuff, it’s hard to sound like we’re trying to change things,
but we wanted to be a reaction against soulless rubbish.
Talking ‘bout forming a band, Suren
says, it’s a mixed result of passion and unemployment and above all
attitude!!! And as a matter of their music kind, Sarad says,
“Well we don’t want to give our music as a rock alone. Yes it’s based on
rock, of course. Moreover, we just introduce our music as brand new
type, another formation of rock instead. It depends on the listeners’
head. We just want to be example for our followers, the next generation;
and yes, it’s happening!” No doubt, they have been recognized as the
most powerful “live-band” in the recent Nepali music scene. Their way of
playing is widely accepted and of course they have been an example of
inspiration to the new generation as well.
Shiva: “Not forgetting that we are from
Nepal, we must be well justified and adapted to our own typical folk
tunes.” Showing that you don’t always have to shout to be heard, THE
AXE is a whole lotta pure rocking band, very popular in their gigs
for their outstanding performances. They are even recognized as the
first 3-men band in Nepal. The trio, showing their guts out – ask any
spectator who have seen their live performances – hella worth!!! Three
people covering the whole stage, is really a rare scene in the Nepali
music scenario in the context of live performance.
The band started as a garage band in the
year 1992 and was officially established in 1993, and gave their very
first album “Dhunwa” which could not do well at the time. It all
started in 1995, after Ramesh Gyawali left abroad for his studies, and
Sarad came up with an idea of reshaping the band and making it a 3-men
band. However, it was difficult being a 3-men band at the time, because
the album ‘Farkera Herda’ was not the taste of 3men’s alternative
sound, as it gives the taste of folk flavor. The same album introduced
the name of the band in the Nepali music field as their song ‘Chiya
Barima’ and ‘Pallo Dada’ went a smash hit. Therefore, it was
not easy to play the same old sound according to their hit album. Being
little frustrated, the band was left over doing small concerts across
the town. The song was a hit, but not the band.
The leftover boys rehearsed a lot in the
wrecked room in their hometown, with Shiva taking control over the bass
as well. Then after a long break they came up with their third album,
Majhi Dai. The album was a mixed taste of hard rock and southern
rock flavor, and show 3men’s excellent teamwork. “No Problem” is
a channel hit including ‘Din Matra Haina’, “Maryo Ni”, “16
Barse” during the live stage shows as well. As they say, the album
was mainly highlighted for their live performances on stage. This really
worked and the album earned them a real good name in a ‘high-voltage
live band’ category indeed.
Once again, thy have come up with their
new album “A Decade”, a perfect blend of rock ballads, southern
rock and folk-rock fusion as well. The album contains 8 tracks
(including their old hit number Chiya Barima (3 men style
version). As the track ‘Thado Zaane Ukalo’ is a perfect example
of blend of funk and our own bhote cello. A beautiful number “Praya’
done in one simple acoustic guitar is a great TV channel hit, including
Lukna Deu (nominated twice in FM Awards and Video Music Awards), Ma
Aaudaichu, etc. Talking about their music videos, who can forget
their great vdo like ‘Timro Nazar le’? In which the guys did the
bunjee jumping, 500 ft. plunge to Bhote Koshi River– wow!!. The
people always had appreciated their new thoughts in their music videos.
Talking about their new album, Sarad says,
“We’ve grown up a bit, traveled a lot more, met so many people.
Musically too, we’ve heard more: Ben Harper, Rage Against the Machine,
Pearl Jam, Coldplay …………. The last two albums, we’ve been like a
cultural sponge. We’ve sucked it all in and now it’s coming out on this
record. A lot of it is meant to be about drive and confidence’. Indeed
this album shows the talent of giving their best in melodious part as
well.
Yet again, they released their collection
album “the Very best of the aXe”, which compiles their best
selected numbers from the past (1993 to 2003) and definitely proved to
be the best selling album in 2003, and still going on strong.
This year the band offered yet another
best selling album “Kammasakka” with the great numbers like
Euta Chitthiko, Chahe Duniya Ley, Chyangba Dai, which has already
eared up the nepali listeneres and audience.
13 years and still cutting the edges
strong! That’s what the aXe all about!
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