Group united by memories of not-so-innocent 70s rock

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 11/08/2007 5:22 PM  |  Life

The Jakarta Post, Denpasar

The typical image of ""classic rock stars"" is of unclean and not-so-attractive men with long hair and a bunch of tattoos.

This is also the image that springs to mind when Bali's classic rock community (BCRC) is mentioned.

But the reality is quite different, as is the case with BCRC coordinator Putu Indrawan -- a humble man with a modest clothing style and a short-back-and-sides haircut.

The food stall owner is also a member of Harley Angels, the Balinese rock group that won the first Indonesian rock festival held by Log Zhelebour in Surabaya in 1984.

In that year, the group comprised Indrawan (bass), Bambang (vocals), Manto (guitar), Dodot (keyboard) and Nyoman Kabe (drums). Bambang was chosen as the best bass guitarist.

Rock music in Bali was a mirror of cultural development in Europe, as flower power came into its own in the 1970s.

Indrawan said Bali was not very well known as a tourist spot among the general population in the 70s, but it was a top destination for hippies and rock stars.

That was the golden era of world rock music. Acts like The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple were hard to follow for Indonesian groups like Koes Plus and God Bless.

Kuta at that time was still deserted, with only a handful of cafes, until Kayu Api bar was built in 1978, hosting regular jam sessions.

Rock stars that dropped by Kayu Api included Mick Jagger, Steward Copeland and members of Men At Work, as well as the late local singer, Gombloh.

Kayu Api regulars Indrawan and his friends eventually decided to form a band called Primitive Rythm, which later became Harley Angels. The name change was initiated by jet-setting businessman IB Arya, who sponsored the band to take part in Log Zhelebour's competition.

However, it was not only the music that attracted visitors to Bali. The scent of marijuana filled the air wherever hippies and rock stars gathered.

In the 70s, the music industry encouraged a lifestyle that was associated with drug consumption. Manto said such a condition led to the deaths of many musicians, like Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones) and Tommy Bolin (Deep Purple).

The marijuana circulating in Kuta in the 70s was known as Budasticks from Thailand. ""I don't know what it means. Its form was strange, resembling a satay stick encircled with marijuana,"" Manto said.

Unfortunately, Indrawan said, Harley Angels never made it to the recording studio as its members were busy managing their own businesses.

""Actually the key to a good band is unity. But we were also so busy, we didn't always have time to meet,"" said Indrawan, who runs Tresni food stall on Jl. Drupadi, Denpasar, where BCRC members used to gather.

If Indrawan and his friends have any regrets they have been canceled out by their excitement over the success of Bali's indie bands like Superman is Dead.

""I'm happy to see youngsters in the recording studio. Whatever the result, it is a good way of keeping the music scene alive.""

Indrawan said setting up BCRC in 2004 was done with the intention of bringing together people who are fond of rock and blues music from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Before the establishment of BCRC, classic rock lovers in Bali had frequently met, communicated with and shared experiences with their friends outside Bali.

In the early days of BCRC, there was fierce debate over the definition of classic rock music. ""Such diverse ideas make the community more lively. We are democratic in nature,"" Indrawan said.

The community is intended mainly as a forum for exchanging information. BCRC is also open to the younger generation, particularly those interested in classic rock.

BCRC members, Indrawan said, are not formally registered. There are about 200 of them, mostly young professionals, businesspeople, politicians, musical instrument sellers and bikers. ""This includes me as a rice seller,"" Indrawan said jokingly.

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