Thursday, May 24, 2012

THE AXE BAND : BIOGRAPHY

   As we have seen that as a band, its hard to last long even in a western culture. The only band The Axe is an established name in the Nepali music field. 13 years of music journey is not a short period. This is a story about  attitude of course- a story of 3 people who formed a band in raharai raharma (hawataalma), without any solemn commitment, never thought they would come out with their great songs,music with real honesty and passion and of course making a history. "We were trying to say that there is an alternative," says fromer guitarist Siddharth, "that you can try to be catchy without being slick, poppy without being pop, and you can be uplifting without being pompous; because we are sometimes palying quiter stuffs, it's hard to sound like we are trying to change things, but we wanted to be reaction against soulless rubbish."

      Talking about forming a band, Suren says," it's a mixed result of passion and unemployment and attitude of course !!!" And as for their music kind, Siddharth says, "We'll 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 with a real Nepali touch, It depends on the listeners ' head. We just tried to enjoy with out bullshits at first and its amazing that people just appreciated those, wow!!!" No doubt 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 outstanding performances. The trio, showing their guts out- ask any spectator who have seen their live performances- hella worth!!!"

      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 Siddharth came up. However, its was difficult being a 3-men band at a time ,because the album "Farkera Herda"was not the taste of 3 men's alternative sound, as it gives the taste old folk flavor. The same album introduced the name of the band in the Nepali music field as their song "Chiya Barima" and "Pallo Dadama"went the smash hit. Therefore, it was not east 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 basis as well. Then after a long break they came up with their third album "Majhi Dai"(2000).The album was a mixed taste of hard rock and southern rock flavor, and show 3men's excellent teamwork. 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. After 2 years, they came up with the 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 mem 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 video like "Timro Najar Le", in which the guys did a bunjee jumping, 500ft. plunge to Bhote Koshi River !!!. The people had apprecialted their thoughts in their music videos.

       Their collection album "The Very Best of the Axe", which complies their best selected numbers from the past (1993-2003) definitely proved to be the best selling album in 2003, and still going on strong. People already had gossiped as split of band which is completely false. As they proved themselves by performing various live shows till date and certainly they had come up once again with another studio works with a new album titled "Kammasakka". We've grown up a bit, travel sponged a lot more, met so many people. Musically too, we've heard more: Ber Harper, Rage Against the Machine, Pearl jam, RHCP........T he Last albums,we've been like a cultural sponge. Indeed this album shows the talent of giving thier best in simple melodious music part as well -funky for sure.

  All these boys from the same place called Maitidevi, Kathmandu, are good friends since their childhood, therefore the band comes in the second place as they say. Besides music, they are involved with their respective field of works. Shiva is a music arranger by profession and also a music director. He is an owner of professional recording studio named CHROMATIC SOUND PVT. LTD. and now he works as a sound engineer as well. Suren is involved in restaurant business. He's is an owner of a beautiful restaurant named NAMASTE CAFE wit live band every night which is in Thamel, whereas besides guitar.
   
      Sidhartha THatpa is a well experienced guy having 13 years of his works as a professional guitarist. He play in different studio as a freelancer guitarist. He already showed his talent in more than 1000 Nepalese songs as a guitarist.He is a cool. talent, creative and friendly as well .

Source:www.theaxeband.com