Rabindra Pokharel

Kathmandu:

In their new reincarnation, Rock Kids/Oakley promise to reach out this time to the Nepalese diaspora as well as friends and fans back home.

It’s an era of innovative experimentation. And “Oakley” is one of those few names that has led the crusade all the way. Anish, a ninth grader at St Joseph School, Biratnagar, formed a band with his schoolmates during the early 90’s. Though they debuted in the year 1992 as the Rock Kids they soon discovered they were more into the experimental rage. “Music is as water is for life and my kind of music doesn’t fall into any particular genre,” says Anish. Raj, Kalyan, Saroj and Roshan joined later and very soon they became one of the most happening rock bands in school. Later Srijan from Kathmandu also joined the band. Subsequently, the band changed its name to Oakley. Oakley has since then staged over 600 concerts and released five albums and the upcoming album ‘Sathi’ of Anish, who was once the regular lead vocalist of the band, would further add to that list. From songs like “Meri Oakley,” and “Gulabi Jadole” to the recent chartbuster “Juneli Raat,” Oakley has been a favourite among music aficionados.

Spectacular live concerts, awards, megahit singles and albums are some of the memories that Anish has left behind him when he departed for studies in the US. Apart from remaining steadfast to his music, Anish is also a professional working in the finance department of an American company. “I love to travel when I do get time besides music. I’ve always liked Narayan Gopal. I believe he is the best Nepali singer of all time whereas Justin Timberlake, U2 and Metallica have been among my western influences. These days, however, I prefer alternative numbers,” says Anish.

Currently, this frontman of Oakley is working on his upcoming album ‘Sathi’ which will be recorded and released in USA and is expected to hit music stores sometime this September. With the best of recording quality and breathtaking lyrics of Churchill Thapa rendered in the melodious voice of Anish, ‘Sathi’ is expected to be the best so far from Oakely. Oakely has performed more than 650 live concerts and have participated in 250 biggest events of Nepali musical events, which include their Nepal tour, Singha Rock and Roar Tour and Shikhar Sangh Tour. But his musical tours are no more restricted to Nepali towns and cities. Oakely is now a popular name among Nepali audiences in the United States, particularly in New York.

“I love to perform here in each state at cultural shows,” says Anish. In 2003, Anish performed for some big shows like “American Nepalese of Midwest Association” in Chicago and he will be performing for ANA (American Nepalese Association”, Dallas, Texas amidst more than 5,000 Nepalese audiences this year. “I miss Nepal a lot, especially my friends and family, and all those who’ve supported me,” says Anish. “But it’s certainly the Nepal that I left behind that I miss the most.”