Nepali Rock Band 1974 AD
Formed in Kathmandu in 1994, the Nepali rock bank 1974 AD has experimented with a variety of music genres and gathered a loyal following of fans in the process. Nepali folk songs, ragas, funk, rock, blues and jazz are among the genres 1974 AD have experimented with while making their way to being counted among the most successful recording artists in the country. Performed in the Nepali language, the group’s lyrics focus on themes of nationalism, patriotism, unity, love and Nepali values.
The song Nepali, taken from 1974 AD’s best-selling album Satabdi is much loved for its patriotic sentiments, becoming something of an unofficial national anthem. Other songs which have reached the top of the Nepalese music charts include Sambodhan, Pahilo Junima, Parelima, Chudaina Timro Mayale, and Samjhi Baschu. The albums the band has released are Time Out in 1996; Samjhi Baschhu in 1998; Satabdi in 2001; Jungi nishan in 2002; Pinjada ko suga in 2004; On Air in 2007 and Aath Athara in 2010.
The current band members are Manoj KC, Adrian Pradhan, Nirakar Yakthumba and Sanjay Shrestha. With his musical interests including classical music, funk, blues, electronic and jazz, Manoj is the band’s lead guitarist and he plays the keyboard. His musical career has given him the opportunity to perform with a number of international musicians, including Richard Hardy of the Dave Matthews Band, Carol King, and Jesse van Ruller. He has toured throughout Nepal, as well as performing in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Thailand, South Korea, Italy, Norway and Denmark. In addition to performing with 1974 AD, Manoj does music production and has worked with a host of Nepali artists, and has also written music scores for movies and documentaries.
The band’s bassist Nirakar Yakthumba notes that they key to any rock, funk or jazz band is a tight rhythm section on which soloists can ‘ride their flights of fancy’. He studied in the Bhaktapur Music School and enjoys playing and listening to all types of music, as well as traveling, and has visited India, Hong Kong, Bhutan, Qatar, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, South Korea and the United States where he has played and studied different music genres.
Sanjay Shrestha started playing music as a student and played in several school bands. In 1997, he formed the band Shristi with some of his fellow students at St Xavier’s school and the group became one of the first bands to produce a CD album in Nepal. Sanjay joined 1974 AD in 1999, first as a percussionist and later as the drummer. He has experimented with all types of drums and percussion and various genres of music including fusion, rock classical, reggae, jazz and heavy rock. He has also had the good fortune to work with numerous international artists.
Adrian discovered his talent for music while at school. He plays the harp and drums, as well as being a vocalist, composer and lyricist. He has released a solo album called Aaja, and has traveled to a number of countries during his musical career, including Hong Kong, Qatar, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and the United States.
1974 AD have earned a number of awards in recognition of their talent, including Hits FM Awards in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2012, and Katipur FM Annual Awards in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2010. Certainly, this Nepali rock band has what it takes to keep its fans entertained.
