RAG n ROLL with DEEP S RANA
RAG n ROLL with DEEP S RANA(Guitarist HMG’s Ministry of Rock)
(Appeared on ktmROCKS Mag Issue 11)
Q: Which band do you think is the best (past, present, future?) in the Local Scene?
You want the truth? Past - Criss Cross, Present - Mukti n Revival, Future- HMG-Ministry of Rock!
Q: What is the first ever album you bought? Do you still have it?
Actually I bought two together. AC/DC’s ‘Who made Who’, and Bon Jovi’s ‘Slippery when wet’ I bought it when I was in class six or seven I think. Peacock brand tapes that cost you 45 Rs/-. That was big money for a kid back then, believe me. Too bad I don’t have them with me anymore.
Q: Which bands/artists do you think represent the genres “blues”, “heavy rock” and “metal” best?
Blues- Buddy Guy, Heavy Rock- Early AC/DC, Metal- All those NWOBHM bands in the early 80’s like Diamondhead, Angel Witch, Killing Joke early Maiden, Motorhead etc. As far as Metal goes, they’re the real thing man. Everyone else is emulating.
Q: Who is your guitar idol?
Heck! Not another momos or pizzas questions! Ok, Frank Zappa and Jeff Beck. Both extremely underrated.
Q: Which guitar chord is your favorite? Elaborate.
E and A cos they’re the easiest to jam to when you’re high or drunk as a mite which I am most of the time during the end of a gig.
Q: What’s the first ever song that you listened and you instantly thought of learning guitar?
The Stones- Sympathy for the Devil
Q: What was the first song that you were able to play guitar on?
Cream- Sunshine of your Love.
Q: If you could put together a hypothetical live lineup with any musicians alive or dead, who would you pick?
Guitar1- Zappa R.I.P.
Guitar2- Beck (Jeff that is not the other one)
Vocals- Ronnie James Dio
Bass- Jack Bruce
Drums- Keith Moon R.I.P.
and Jerry Lee Lewis on the piano (Elvis sucks, Jerry’s the real king of rock n roll)
Q: Which band/artist would you kill to play/jam with?
Duran Duran - They’re my favorite pop-rock band but I only dig their first 4 LP’s. Hey, I’m from the 80’s remember, we ate pop music from breakfast to dinner in our pre-teen years!
Q: Name the band you have grown out of?
Coldplay. They’re good, but man they’re everywhere. It’s like an overdose. Thank god their imaginary tour to Nepal never happened. Who spread that rumour?
Q: Which mainstream band/artist in our Nepali scene should call it a day?
Band- Robin n the new Revolution (Robin dai you’re cool but get a new band, seriously!)
Artist- Mr. Lotus Man Horn! Dude, get a life!
Q: What is your dream guitar/gear or setup?
A ‘57 Strat, ‘58 Les Paul, ‘61 SG and ‘52 Tele into a cranked ‘59 Fender Tweed Bassman amp and a 70’s Marshall Plexi half stack. I’m a sucker for old skool vintage tones.
Q: Have you ever dreamed of singing a romantic duet with a female singer? Who is that singer?
Yes. It’ll be a dohori duet with Srijana ‘Birahi’ Thapa. Do you guys know her? She’s HOT! I was so lucky to see her live in Rolpa, I’m not kidding! She’s the Dohori Diva! Now if only I could sing…
Q: What’s the best thing that ever happened with you as a musician?
The fact that I’ve been lucky to be able to jam with the oldies like Prism, Mukti and many others, the underground bands of today and even the jazz guys at the Upstairs and their international ensemble etc. It’s interesting to see the variations and diversity in styles ranging thru the generations.
Q: And the worst thing?
Me, my wife, Iman dai and a few other friends had come back from a wedding somewhere pissed drunk and decided to hit Thamel on our way home. If I remember correctly we went to Les Yeux, the house band was playing and like the prick I am when I’m drunk and see a guitar, I asked if I could join in. They agreed. I could barely walk lest play a chord. I fell down thrice on the stage floor with my suit and tie on but continued playing. That was embarrassing but heck who cares I was having fun!
Q: Who do you think is a better guitarist- You or Iman B. Shah? Please explain.
Is there even a comparison? Why, Me of course! Iman dai can’t even play an open G chord correctly when he’s pissed drunk, but I can and fall down thrice too! Now beat that! ha! ha!
Q: Which one would you choose – Gun or a Guitar? Why?
I’d choose the gun cos I can use it to rob Dipak Tandukar’s guitar shop in Khichapokhari. He knows I always have a handgun with me and I’m gonna rob his store one day that’s why he’s named his shop after me already, Deep Music HAR! HAR! HAR!
Q: Generally in a band, there is a huge chance of a member turning out to be a real jerk. Usually, who is the jerk in the band – guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer or the vocalist?
In Nepal I think it’s mostly the ego inflated lead guitarists. Thank God Iman dai is cool. Ministry of Rock is a helluva lucky band.
Q: Which song do you always listen to when you are depressed and lonely?
The Seventh Stranger, Save a prayer and The Chauffeur all by Duran Duran. Classic songs to listen to when you’re gloomy.
Q: When do you get depressed and lonely?
When I can’t play the guitar in two or three days.
Q: Are there any songs that make you really horny? If yes, can you recommend me some?
I know one, it’s this girl singing…
I’m horny all nite long
I’m horny all nite long
I’m horny, horny horny horny
So Horny, I’m horny horny
I’m horny horny horny tonite. chorus to fade…
Wait….who sang that? Any idea?
Q: You have two guitars, one is a Fender Strat and another is a Gibson SG. Suppose I broke into your home, which one would you rather let me steal?
I’d first beat the crap outta you and unstring my guitar and use the strings to handcuff you and then sodomize you with the guitar neck all night long. Which guitar neck would you like up yours? The strat or the SG?
Q: If you were threatened for your life and had to play guitar in the backing band of options a) Nabin Bhattarai, b)Sugam Pokheral, c) Kamal Man Singh – which one would you choose?
I’ll be a nice guy and play with Nabin cos we went to the same school.
Q: Last one, leather pants or jeans?
Go see my pics of the 666 gig at ktmrocks.com and figure that out yourself!
Taken by Umes Shrestha