Band Sets the Stage for Afghan Rock Scene

When Afghanistan was under Taliban rule, playing rock music would have assured you some quality time in jail, but now the the country's first indie rock band is booking gigs and preparing to launch its first album, the AP reports. "We want to show the world that Afghanistan has rock music, it's not only suicide bombings or attacks," Kabul Pride's singer and guitarist says.

The group, which sings in English and has performed abroad, is considered a pioneer of the Afghan rock scene, and other acts are following in its wake. But the Taliban insurgency remains a concern—Kabul Pride picks its gigs carefully and has had to cancel shows due to security threats. Still, the band chooses to sing about daily life. "The fact that our songs don't have any political message in itself is political," the bass player says.
(More Afghanistan stories.)