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Naif: Charming children with music, comic
Naif band members (from right to left) Jarwo, illustrator of BonBinBen book Dodot, David, Emil and Pepeng
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Naif band members (from right to left) Jarwo, illustrator of BonBinBen book Dodot, David, Emil and Pepeng. (JP/Ary Hermawan)
It all started as a joke. David the vocalist was called the gorilla by the other Naif band members, Pepeng the drummer got the nickname the big-nosed monkey, the bassist Emil was dubbed the big bad wolf and Jarwo the guitar became known as the pony.
The joke inspired them to create a cartoon strip about a band which plays children's songs called BonBinBen, short for Kebon Binatang Band or Zoo Band.
The BonBinBen members are animal avatars of their Naif counterparts: a wolf named Si Gala, a gorilla named Si Gori, a pony named Si Kupon and a monkey named Si Dungde. They all reside in Rimba Hijau Kemilau (Sparkling green jungle).
"We actually had thought about this idea in 2003 when we decided to make merchandise with our pictures as animals called Naif Zoo. We rehashed the idea early this year and came up with an album and a book," Pepeng told journalists on the release of BonBinBen cartoons at Aksara bookstore in Kemang.
Making fun of themselves is definitely not the main purpose of the band's new side project.
BonBinBen -- which reminds us of the Gorillaz, a cartoon band created by Blur front man Damon Albam -- is Naif's way of doing something about the absence of local icons for children in today's music industry.
"The music business for children is declining. Our former child singers like Sherina and Agnes Monica have grown up. Children today have no other options but to sing adult songs, which they should not do," Pepeng said.
"When my children's friends came to my place, I heard them singing Mulan Jameela's songs and they knew all the lyrics," Jarwo added.
Children, the band said, have long been sidelined in the entertainment industry with fewer children's television programs compared to those for adults and very few films produced for them in recent years.
A talent show for children, Idola Cilik (Little idol) and similar programs have been criticized for exploiting children as they mostly sing adult songs.
Naif is a retro rock band that blends the style of ballads and rock songs of the 1960s and 1970s with influences ranging from local bands like Koes Plus to the legendary The Doors. Since their first album release in 1998 they have consistently used retro sounds and costumes in all their albums and video clips.
When asked whether BonBinBen will change Naif's image and style, Pepeng explained the two will remain distinct. "BonBinBen is not Naif. They are different entities. In the album and the musical which is upcoming, we only highlight BonBinBen. We do, however, inform the audience that Naif wrote and sings all BonBinBen's songs," he said.
BonBinBen's album, titled Di Rimba Hijau Kemilau, has eight songs; "BonBinBen", "Bernyanyi Bersama" (Singing together), "Ayah dan Ibu" (Father and mother), "Sedih Hutanku" (My poor forest), "Mari Tertawa" (Let's giggle), "Mama dan Bulan Purnama" (Mama and the moonlight), "A-B-C With Me" and "Di Sini Saja" (Right here).
Pepeng said it was challenging to write lyrics for children.
"I don't know why but we always ended up using the phrase mari bergembira (Let's be happy)," David says, smiling.
"We tried to keep them simple. Children should have fun, they don't think heavy stuff."
After launching the comic fables, published by Pustaka Lebah, Naif, with help from the publisher, will stage the BonBinBen musical at the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta playhouse in Central Jakarta, July 25 and 26.
The musical and the album were released in July to celebrate National Children's Day which falls on July 23.
The musical, which is based on the comic book, recounts the adventures of BonBinBen before they become the Zoo Band. It begins with a group of four farmers who burn the sparkling green jungle to expand their farms, oblivious they have destroyed the jungle inhabitants' homes.
The Lion King and the Rainbow Princess decide to summon the four humans who have damaged the forest, but before they can fetch them, the evil Queen of Mosquitos sends her messengers to poison them, turning them into animals.
Transformed, they realize their evil deeds.
Meanwhile, Ratu Aidi plots her revenge against the Lion King for expelling her from the green jungle by spreading dengue fever.
The farmers, who find out they can beat the mosquitos by singing, decided to help the forest's inhabitants.
"Through the musical we want children to know more about the importance of preserving nature," the band said in its press release.
What is the main reason behind the band's decision to produce children's songs? All four band members are fathers so they feel an affinity toward the world of children.
David said he often reads stories to his children, Audrey (8) and Jason (7), before they go to bed.
"The moments of reading or telling stories for my children are unforgettable. Though it was years ago, they still ask for the stories I made up for them."
Drama Musikal BonBinBen
Gedung Kesenian Jakarta
July 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Information: Ara on 08129836423, 02198089002
