Kathmandu:

Music is an outburst of the soul. —Frederick Delius

From its very beginning, rock music has always been associated with the youth, rebellion, anti-establishment and revolution. Due to the blend of suggestive lyrics and wild expressions,

rock music has always been appealing to the youth and an appaling threat to the older generation.

Rock music in Nepal entered with the hippies during the 70’s. It will not be a surprise to many to say that Jhochhen a.k.a Freak Street was the ultimate hub for many rockers. At that time, due to the legality for marijuana, foreigners preferred to stay there and their music and life style influenced many locals.

Kumar Basnet, the very popular folk singer of Nepal, recorded Diulaa, the first Nepali rock number. The revolution in the music industry started with many youngsters creating rock bands of their own.

The first rocker to emerge was Mukti Shakya. Talking about rock music he said, “Music is involved in every step of our life. Rock music is the medium that helps youngsters to take out their frustration with life and fear of their future in a much healthier and creative way.”

Robin Tamang, who is also from the old school of rock in Nepal said, “My music is usually about anti-establishment, social issues and topics on which people usually don’t talk about. Being in music I think it’s important to make people aware through it.”

Nepal’s foremost female rocker Abhaya Subba said, “Rock music is more of an attitude. I don’t want to be clubbed with one genre of music because as an artist you need to be evolving, but as long as you play with the attitude of a rocker and sing about things you believe in that’s rock music. Its all about attitude.”

Rock for the youngsters is not only music, but almost a religion. Those in the rock cult know that rock music and fashion are inextricably linked. Rock followers during the 70’s flavoured jeans, leather and other hippie-influenced clothes. But from the early 90’s the popularity of grunge brought in a fashion of its own — torn jeans, old shoes (usually Converse), flannel shirts and the all black look, which still continues. As for the hair, most preferred it long and messy, rebelling with the general concept of good boys have short hair.

Rock scene today has evolved from hard rock music of 70’s to metal and punk. Few years ago, the hard rock, metal and punk band were underground and performed less in public, but more and more bands have been performing more often. Yet the social concept towards rock is still very negative as many still believe in the 60’s slogan of ‘Sex, drugs and rock n roll’. Many still think that rock music will destroy the social norms. Western history of rock shows many rockers have died due to drug over dose. Even today, many rock stars are shown fighting drug problem or getting into rehabs. The rebellious behaviour and devil-may-care attitude of rockers do not mean rock music promotes or believes in drugs.

Subba does not even smoke, but she said when she goes to any party or concert people expect her to smoke, and when she rejects, they are often surprised.

“People have this wrong concept that all rockers drink and do drugs, but that is absolutely untrue. I think I get enough high from my life and that reflects in my music. You don’t need drugs to create or enjoy music.”

Shakya, on the other hand, feels that being young and restless, youngsters do want to taste and try everything but that does not mean one should get involved in drugs. He said, “Shivaji has influenced Nepali youngsters and they want to try drugs. But that does not mean you should make excuses about the kind of music you hear or play. Creativity does not lie in drugs, and youth should not follow wrong concepts.”

He also added that though youngsters might find the condition of the country frustrating they should not give up hope, and as the Nepali rock scene is budding they should concentrate in making more music.

Robin shared his own experience with drugs, “I think drugs are really uncool. It kind of destroys your soul. I can say that because I to got out of it. I believe no music needs any drugs to make it enjoyable.”

The Valley is seeing more and more emergence of rock and metal bands and it will not be a surprise to see more serious band to come in mainstream music. Bands such as Nastik, X-mantra, Albatross and Shadows have already made a mark.

Other upcoming bands such as HMG’s Ministry of Rock, Vhumi, Arachnids, Night, Angel Dust, Cryptic are popular among the youngsters. Punk band ‘Rai ko Ris’ does not perform in concerts very often, but is being popular among punk music lovers.

This graph of popularity of rock, metal and punk among the youngsters shows the demand of such music.

At this point the older generation might not be ready for the rockers and their followers, but the generation next will love the rock music and this generation will support their choice then.