BANDUNG's UNDERGROUND HISTORY
Bandung, Indonesia.
In Bandung Around the beginning of 1994, there was a legendary music studio for rent which has been the pioneer of Bandung's Underground scene. "Reverse" is the name of the studio which located in sukasenang-Bandung, Indonesia. The establishment of the studio initiated by Richard Mutter (PAS Band's drummer at that time) and Helvi. When the studio grew away it was expanding the another business by opening the distro (distribution of the acronym) which sold CDs, cassette, posters, t-shirt, and various another accessories import about underground.
Richard also had formed an independent label 40.1.24, it was the first label in 1997,it was a compilations CD which had the title "masaindahbangetsekalipisan". Indie bands whose participated in this compilation were Burger Kill, Puppen, Papi, rotten To The Core, Full of Hate and the Waiting Room ( as the only original band Jakarta ).
The Bands that had raised by this community were PAS and Puppen. PAS itself in 1993 made a history as a band of a first independently released album. Mini-album which had the titled "Four Through the SAP" was sold in 5000 pieces in quite a short time. Mastermind for the idea to released the album independently PAS is Marudut Samuel. He was a Music Director of GMR Radio, a Rock's radio station in Indonesia, which often played a demo, demo recording rock bands amateur home Bandung, Jakarta and surrounding areas.
Tragicly, in early 1995, Marudut was found died at the residence of Krisna Sucker Head in Jakarta. A surprise, this death, according to Krisna, it was accompanied by the songs of "The End" from The Doors and played on the tape in the room of Krisna. Meanwhile Puppen which formed in 1992 is the one of the pioneers of local's hardcore and broke up in 2002 had released three album, there were Not A pup EP (1995), MK II (1998) and Puppen s / t (2000). then Pure Saturday followed that album with the self-titled. This album and promotional assisted by Hai Magazine. Kubik also has experiencing the same thing, which gave a bonus that three cassettes Track before they released their album.
Ujung berung, Bandung.
Slightly to the east, still on as well, we'll find a community which has been the episentrum of underground's Metal, Ujung Berung community. Formerly, the area was established Studio Palapa which has many meritorious caused to raise the underground bands like Jasad, Forgotten, Sacrilegious, Sonic Torment, Morbus Corpse, Tympanic Membrane, Infamy, Burger Kill, etc. The early 1995's first music fanzine published in the zine called Revograms Zine.The editor was Dinan, he was the vocalist of the band Sonic Torment which has a unique single titled "Golok Berbicara", Revograms zine had three times to published all the material contents cover bands to metal / hardcore, both local and international.Then, The indie fanzine like Swirl, Tiga Belas, Membakar Batas and the other took brisk indie media. Trolley and Ripple appears as a magazine that discusses about trends of subculture in Bandung and it's lifestyle. Trolley bankrupt in 2002, while a Ripple's turn from pocket magazine to magazine. Meanwhile, the fanzine which formed as fotocopy is continue to exist unti now.
Not only extreme music which Rise in Bandung but also the Pop-indie scene. Since Pure Saturday showed up, various indie pop band or an alternative, such as like Cherry Bombshell, Sieve, Nasi Putih to the latest such as like The Milo, Mocca, Homogenic. Similarly, the Ska scene actually existed long before big ska trend. such as like Noin Bullet and Agent Skins have long mengusung this music genre.
Saparua's Gor, Bandung.
Anyone who had witnessed the underground rock concert in Bandung certainly will not forget the famous Saparua Gor's which Famous to all around Indonesia. For indie bands, this venue is a sacred building that full of magical power. The Bands which comes from anywhere outside of Bandung, if never show in here is gonna be feel so not a Band. This Venue is the silent witness of some rock show fenomenal like Hullabaloo, Bandung Berisik, until Bandung Underground. Capacity for spectators per event above are spectacular, between 5000 - 7000 spectators! Ticket entry only sold with the fantastic price by the brokers. Perhaps this is a record that has not been broken in Indonesia to show the size of underground rock.Bandung.
Ever became as a barometer for the underground music in Indonesia, Bandung is the city that offers a million clever ideas for the progress the national scene. The pioneer of Distro's that estabilished in all the cities of Indonesia is Bandung.Not to mention the magazine Trolley (RIP) and Ripple like a reincarnation, remain loyal to provide the largest portion Bulletin for indie bands kind of cool local like Koil, Kubik, Balcony,The Bahamas,Blind To See,Rocket Rockers,The Milo,Teenage Death Star,Komunal,The S.I.G.I.T, Please check Webzine Bandung (www.Bandungmagazine.com), Death Rock Star (www.deathrockstar.tk) to proved it, This City is so Fuckin' Cool.
BANDUNG's UNDERGROUND TODAY
Bandung, Indonesia
Lately, Bandung has lost it's spirit. AACC post-tragedy, the existence of communities such as underground has lost with a concert in progress due to lack of difficulty obtaining permission and a lack of venue representative. Now the spirit who make the existence of this community continue to breathe life.It's Hard to believe, because the only one venue of the underground in Bandung has lost for the second time. First, We lost Saparua's Gor, and Now AACC is lost. There's nowhere for Underground's Bands to Show. The Government never look into the Potency of Bandung's Underground. They never build the Venue with a Well-Value, and More Cheaper Price to Rent the Venue.
So, there are a lot of Rebel action by show up inside the Music Studio for Rent or College like UPI, UNPAR, ITENAS, Gramma music studio, Jawara music Studio, Villa Putih Lembang, Student’s Cafe Of Taman Sari and it's Illegal. Communities of underground like punk, hardcore, metal, pop, electronic, etc.. start a routin shows. They never care about how small the venue, how less the equipment to show, whatever.... After the previous torpor seems inhibition due to the impact of bureaucracy Tragedy AACC. This Communities is going to born a Creativity of Underground, even the Government is never sees it.
"It's like the History repeat it's self.... " said Kimung. Meanwhile, Addy Gembel added "This phenomenon is similar rotation mid-year 90-an. When we are having difficulties to access anything, even more militansi that arise. Potential underground community is more and more and more solid".
Bandung's southern community
It's begin by Indieflag which Support the Really local Bands such as like Naked Truth, Dajjal, Soul in Pain, Killer Engine, Freak Harmonic, Blight Curse, Underpressure, Billy The Kid, Last Evening, etc. This community has formed Lately around 2008-2009. This Community has expanded it's movement to Jakarta City, Serang City, etc. also, It's support the event that showed up at the outside of Bandung. Such like 10th Anniversary of Silverstone ( Jakarta ), Fast Forward 2 ( Jakarta ), etc.
But, However. this Community is so Smaller than another Community of Bandung's Underground, and this Community is also under Growing up. cause Bandung's Underground wiil never End.
meet the community of Bandung's underground at :
www.bandungmagazine.com
www.deathrockstar.tk
www.myspace.com/bandungdeathmetal
www.myspace.com/bandungdeathmetalsindikat
www.myspace.com/indieflagheavencore
