To name a few, they were bands like Prism, Mukti and Revival, Robin and Looza (now Robin and The New Revolution), Zenith, The Move, Newar, Metal Cross, and Stash. 1974 AD existed but they were not much popular during 1993, the year when Cobweb established as a band and debuted through their first album “Anjaan.”
The band that was established by Nilesh Joshi, Dibesh Mulmi, Urdip Joshi, Mahesh Nakarmi, and Pawan Shakya invited one more member, Siddhartha Dhakwa, in 1998 and produced hit rock albums like “Cobweb”, “Rolling Strings”, “Mercedes Benz”, “Rock n’ Roll” and “Swing.” Amongst them, it was “Mercedes Benz” that brought up Cobweb as a promising rock band in Nepal, and people loved their charismatic stage performance. But after the release of “Swing,” nothing was heard of what was once the most popular band and people did not get to see any new albums under their belt.
After a long time, Cobweb showed up during the recent Image Music Awards and they came up front during the music concert held on the Jawalakhel grounds that was organized by the Indian Embassy in Nepal. For obvious reasons, many in the audience were delighted to see their “once upon a time” favorite band performing their evergreens like Maryo Ni Maryo, Mercedes Benz, and Pritko Nasha. In the meantime, their appearance filled people with hope that their favorite rock band has made its comeback and they would get to hear more of their originals in the days to come.
“Yes, people will,” promises the band who says that they never disappeared from the music scene. In fact, they said they were into music and were continuing their gigs but at smaller scales. And yes, they did not come up with any new albums of their own, and they remained low key in comparison to others who were coming up with their albums.
All geared up to come up with their seventh edition in six months, Cobweb has a new band member, Rohit Banmali, with them. Rohit joined the band three years ago. Former band members Mahesh Nakarmi and Pawan Shakya are busy in their other professions and haven’t been able to contribute much. Now there are Nilesh Joshi, Dibesh Mulmi, Siddhartha Dhakwa, and Rohit Banmali with the Cobweb at present.
“We never got disbanded like many thought. We admit that there were other priorities in life other than music but we never said goodbye to what we were doing as Cobweb,” unveiled bass guitarist Nilesh Joshi and added, “It was just that we weren’t into new albums. But we were playing gigs at Thamel.”
But why didn’t they show up in concerts and in the media?
Lead vocalist Dibesh Mulmi answered, “It would be more appropriate to ask this question to those who hosted concerts in Kathmandu and elsewhere. We have no clue why they hardly approached us. Regarding appearing in the media, there was nothing to talk about as we weren’t doing new albums. We were basically tired of talking about Maryo Ni Maryo and Mercedes Benz over and again. There was no point in talking to media just to earn some quick publicity.”
From Prism to Mukti and Revival, from Cobweb to Robin and Looza, 1974 AD and Kandara, and Mongolian Hearts, Nepali music industry saw many bands making big and small in rock and pop music of Nepal. It also saw many disband and discontinue music and shifting to other professions.
Cobweb explained how career in music in Nepal is still not that promising and this leads many to shift their priorities despite the fact that they are more satisfied doing music than other jobs.
Vocalist Rohit Banmali highlighted, “We didn’t come up with albums because there are very few genuine music lovers in the country. We can’t survive on what we earn through music. And when all listeners have turned into musicians, who are left now to listen?”
All band members of Cobweb are working at different places to ensure their livelihood. Nilesh and Siddhartha are working together in a glass business. Rohit is involved with automobiles, and Dibesh looks after his recording studio.
During the time when many thought Cobweb disappeared from the Nepali rock music scene, they say there were people who were listening to their music quite often in Thamel.
“If people think that playing music in clubs and pubs of Thamel is demoting one’s musical career, they are wrong. What has Nepali music industry promised musicians? But Thamel has provided income to dozens of musicians. To talk of finance, one can earn above Rs 40,000 a month by playing regularly in Thamel alone. Music has no limitation. It’s not just the albums and music videos that define you as singers or composers. You can play music anywhere,” Nilesh Joshi added.
Furthermore, Cobweb unfolded the fact that there are a lot of prominent bands existing at smaller scales even today. Siddhartha Dhakwa enunciated, “Even Dev Dai (Dev Rana) is still playing drums, Mukti Dai is also in music. Just because they aren’t coming up with albums doesn’t mean they are no more in this line.”
Cobweb still remembers the time when they formed their band. It was an era when many families paid no respect to those who got themselves into rock and metal music in Nepal. Nilesh and Dibesh still remember being boycotted in their community. People complained that they disturbed the peaceful atmosphere through their music. Starting from such circumstances to this day, Cobweb however does not like to complain, and they enjoy what they have loved every moment in their togetherness. They never liked competing with any other bands and they still don’t want themselves to be compared.
“We’re musicians and music lovers. Nobody’s junior or senior to us. In fact, we still have so much more to learn,” Nilesh said modestly.
Of late, the band has already worked on eight tracks of their upcoming album “Namaste.” This will have around a dozen tracks, which will also have a remake of Maryo Ni Maryo. They have dedicated Namaste to their close friend Karma Ghale.
“Karma was a very dear friend of ours. Unfortunately, he passed away recently and he’s missed always. He’s always been an inspiration to us and motivated us a lot in times of need. He ran different organizations to help street children find shelter and food and also had various rehabilitation organizations to free people from the abuse of drugs. He also ran an institute to take care of the blind. We’ve decided to donate the money collected from “Namaste” to his One Love Foundation, which takes care of street children,” revealed Nilesh.
After the release of the album, Cobweb will have other musical projects. But they aren’t in any hurry to produce another album.
“It’s quality music that matters in the end. Quantity is just a number,” all four concluded together.
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