South Asia's hottest band, Junoon, hits the capital next Friday. Yubakar Rajkarnikar, editor of Wave magazine, spoke to Salman Ahmad, Ali Azmat and Brian O'Connell in Karachi this week about music, politics, and their upcoming trip. Excerpts:

Riz Khan [CNN] called you "the biggest band in Asia". What's your secret?
Bryan: There's no secret. We've been doing this for ten years-and it clicks with the audience.

So what's there for Junoonis in your new album Ishq?
B: It's a pretty direct follow up of our other albums, you instantly know it's Junoon. Our writings are more mature. There are three of Ali's tunes on the album. Earlier Salman did virtually all the writing. He's a brilliant, but this album is different, refreshing.

You've made it in South Asia. Any plans to move on, do songs in English?
B: It's natural-our music is becoming more world music. We have one English number on Ishq. We had them earlier, but they didn't really fit, it was the rock n roll itch in us. It's much more organic now.

In an interview in Himal South Asian in 1998, you said "You have to kiss the government's ass to be on TV." Are you on TV now?
B: We are not kissing ass to be on TV. Not with the present government. The people running television then-if they had a grudge you could be banned. In our case, for three years.

So, the ban has been lifted?
B: We're back on Pakistan TV (PTV) in a big way. A lot has changed.
How did you react to the demolition of the Buddha statues in Afghanistan?
Ahmad : Basically they are jahil, uneducated and ignorant. They don't really know much about religion.

Do you have anything special planned for Nepal?
A: You don't know what will happen on stage. It's a very adventurous space. We don't bind ourselves, do a set thing. It depends on the crowd.
What do you look forward to in Nepal?
B: I know so little of Nepal. I look forward to seeing mountains, nature and new cultures. You're our neighbour, how different can Nepalis be from Pakistanis. We'll find out, we can't wait.

A: I'm looking forward to meeting new people, having fun, making connections, leaving a mark.