Mohini Dey-loaded Underside create perfect chaos

The Purple Haze Rock Bar in Thamel was jam-packed on August 4: taking in 1,000 folks, most of them dressed in black, creat­ing a claustrophobia-inducing atmo­sphere. Most of these ‘metalheads’ in their late teens and early twenties (strictly 18+ was the venue policy) were there to witness Underside, the biggest metal band in Nepal featuring the global talent Mohini Dey on bass. When it comes to the under­ground scene in Nepal, Underside needs no introduction. Formed in 2010, it did not take the band long to rise to the top of the domestic cir­cuit, and create ripples around the world. The metal core band is prob­ably the only Nepali band with an international fan following, and not just among Nepali expats. It has trav­elled extensively to Europe, Asia and Australia to share stage with some of the most famous international acts. It was on its last Australia tour that Underside had a chance encounter with Mohini Dey—the 22-year -old bass prodigy from India who is a reg­ular member of AR Rahman’s troupe and has also collaborated with world renowned musicians like Steve Vai, Guthrie Govan, Louis Banks and Dave Weckl.

“Mohini came to our show in Syd­ney and she really liked our music,” says Bikrant Shrestha, guitarist and founding member of Underside. “We hung out after the show and she offered to collaborate.” The quartet that forms Underside—Avishek KC on vocals, Bikrant Shrestha and Bikash Bhujel on guitars and Nishant Hagjer on drums—were perform­ing without a live bass player and instead using backing tracks of bass on stage. “We were also thinking of inviting Mohini to play with us so this collaboration was meant to happen,” Shrestha adds.

Dey’s first performance with the heavy metal giants of Nepal brought the house down at Purple Haze, leaving the audience comprising of music fans and musicians mes­merized. Dey easily inserted herself into the technically difficult music of Underside, while making the songs her own with her unique techniques and unmatched ability. With Dey completing the void in the rhythm section for Underside, the band churned out its hits like Disconnect, Animals, Right to Hate, Welcome to the Underside and All Notes Off while also performing new songs from their upcoming album includ­ing the anticipated “Gadhi Mai.”

Despite the sweltering heat and the congested space, the audience got what it came for and there was no reluctance in ‘head-banging’ and ‘mosh pitting’ to the heavy music. (Separately, Dey conducted a special workshop for Nepali bass players on August 6, offering tips and sharing her life experiences.)

When asked if Dey is to become a permanent member of Underside, Shrestha says, “We can’t exactly call her our permanent member but yes, she is now an integral part of the Underside family.” Dey will be playing with Underside on major shows and music festivals and will also be recording with the band in its upcoming album scheduled for early next year.

Underside and Dey will next per­form together on August 12 at the Bloodstock Open Air concert which is considered the ‘UK’s number 1 metal festival’.