Well suprisingly a Bandung based label, Geekmonger Records, just put out a tribute comp for 2000's Bandung Melodic Punk scene! Like everyone on that era, which I'll put a big bet on, would at least taking a notice of any Bandung Melodic Punk bands that producing any records (Specially if we're talking about My Own Deck bands here). I think I know why Prabu asked about the pressing cd contact lately and here's ur convo about the romanticism of 2000's Bandung Melodic Punk Scene.
What was your first My Own Deck Catalogue to buy??
Pretty sure it was Sendal Jepit’s Ini Bukan Album Baru tape. Funny thing is that I discovered them before Superman Is Dead bombed the music industry, so I guess it would happen around 2002, right before Kuta Rock City hit the record store shelf nation wide.
Awh man... you do have the same answer as I do lol. I bought it on Ouval Research I remember!
Anyway some high school friends of mine said that it sounds shitty. Do you feel the same way??
You fuckin old dirt haha! Not really you know, it actually sounds so much better than their first S/T album. I mean, well yeah, the first album is a solid gold, nothing can’t top the songwriting and shit. But then again, the recording quality of that era kinda sounded to rough for my poppy ears. So it’s safe to say that Bukan Album Baru tape sounds so much better for my mushy ears. You know it’s just my opinion right?
I did an argument with some friends with that believe me! For god sake I was like a 'lyfe and death' devotee of Bandung music scene at that era. But at so much points on my side, you're godamn right. At last the songwriting which rulz it all.
Anyway what would you say about Buckskin Bugle's first EP ever 'Crazy Lazy'??
True, Bandung so-called “melodic punk scene” was on a bright spotlight at that time, yet it only lasts for a couple of years. Damn shame if you’d ask me, but well, trends come and go. Some would go, some would stay living in the shadow of loyality and a blissful sense of nostalgia. Goddamn, I just sound like those artsy emo assholes from art college.
Crazy Lazy is great. But let me set the record straight, the reason why it sounds so great is that Ugeng was still in that band at that time. Because if you compare it with their next EP, Dengan Kerasnya!, when Ugeng already left the band. It sounds awful and mediocre. I mean, come on. Put Just Be Fine and Satu Anthem back to back, you’ll see the difference and it’s shit!
But hey, at least they got to record one great EP. Better than nothing right?
I got a weird experience about that EP actually. I mean I know they dont sing correctly on that record but it feels good in the other way.
Maybe they have a good energies for that record but thats not the first one I bought. I bought 'Dengan Kerasnya' which sounds much neat than 'Crazy Lazy' indeed. And they put one of my most favorite song 'Feel It!' on the bonus track. I mean why do they have to put that on the bonus track#@! Its their best song ever!
OK! Let say while Jakarta scene, bands like Kuro!, Rejected Kids, or No Label, much emphasizing on guitar skills and how fast they could be and in the meanwhile Bandung scene are much more melodious and seems pay attention to the melodies and harmonies from each song.
Do you feel the same way??
Ah yeah, Feel It! It’s a great tune as well. But well, as you already know. It’s a common non-English speaking country cliche. When you read the lyrics, it’s actually really stupid. But yaaa, can’t do anything about it haha!
Ah yeah, I always call it as the Jakarta sound. It’s a good thing as well though, some areas have its own style like you’ve mentioned. But I’m down with you about Bandung bands are all about melody and harmony. There aren’t many bands here focusing on instruments. Maybe it’s because they’re inspired by Sendal Jepit, you know. They play straight ahead punk with catchy vocal pattern.
But there’s an exceptional for Nudist Island. That band is really fire both on melody and song structure. But it’s only them.
I agree with you, Nudist Island is an exception. I'm waiting for them to put out the next record! Go please tell them sir!
Well speaking about Bandung scene and its exponents, what's your first melodic band to see them live??
It was Sendal Jepit at Saparua around 2000/1. You might think, “there’s no fucking way this guys watched a punk gig when he was 10”. Unfortunately, yes, I started early. I remember Keparat and Runtah played there as well. But I saw Sendal Jepit and only knew one song from them, it was Nina. So that was that.
Oh shit! You better believe me too that I only saw Rocket Rockers and no more to see lol. That first time I went to see a gig on Bandung is SNK's first full length album launching in Jatinangor lol. I saw Rocket Rockers on a Pensi (Pensi is a one day fest that organized by High School Kids).
So do you think media like Ripple Magazine has helped the scene to get a wide recognition at that era as well??
How come, you had shitload of good bands out there like Miskins, Fast Crash? Fuck you.
Definitely. You could say it was only Ripple who appealed the scene to a quite bigger mass. But, there were also zines and a tid-bits of scene report on huge-ass mag like Trax, but talking about Ripple, they contributed a shitload of stuff to the scene. You know, like putting out their monthy tapes, putting bands as clothings ambassador, everything was on Ripple.
Well I'm talking about Bandung band. For Jakarta, certainly there are much memories and pictures in my head. I was in the first grade on my senior high school years seeing Kuro! live for the first time and yes I'm a latebloomer lol.
Now we're talking about the comps like Bad Tunes or Still Punx Still Sux, which is the best My Own Deck comp to put out, in your oppinion??
I think at that Kuro gig, that was the first time I saw Gesit as well as he played in Miss Universe at that time
Shit, tough choices. I have to go with Bad Tunes. Almost everything sound great there. But Still Punx has some great songs too there, like Sun Of A Beach’s. Ahhhh, I have to go with Bad Tunes. Fuck me.
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