M

Can you tell us a bit about how Slank was formed?

S

Slank was formed in 1983 when we were young. It’s been thirty years, 20 studio albums, 4 live albums, and several singles, soundtracks, as well as DVDs. We have made short films, musicals, documentaries, and films including the recently released biopic Slank Nggak Ada Matinya (Slank Never Dies). We have changed personnel several times. Our current line up, which has been consistent for 16 years, consists of Bim2x (drums), Kaka (vocal), Abdee (guitar), Ridho (guitar) & Ivanka (bass).

M

You recently celebrated your 30th anniversary as a band in Gelora Bung Karno which was a stadium show.

S

Yeah, it was a concert with about 60,000-persons attendance, Jakarta was empty that day (laughs). Probably the best concert we have ever made.

M

The attendance was almost equal to the recent Metallica show in Jakarta, right?

S

It was actually more than Metallica, actually (laughs)

M

After 30 years, what sort of changes and experiences do you see has happened to Slank during this journey?

S

Physically, psychologically, or musically? (laughs). Well, when we first started, the music scene was catatonic and being a musician was frowned upon – many people closed their doors to us. But today, Slank is still performing, the music scene has become a million-dollar industry, everybody can play music for a living. Everything has changed.

Musically, not too much has changed. We are loyal to our blues and rock n’ roll roots. We have always talked about 4 elements: love, the environment, social politics, and youth movements.

M

Has there been a change in the creative process?

S

Yes, there has definitely been a change. It goes without saying that as our lifestyle changed, so did our music. It happens naturally, but in a different way. We used to come up with ideas for songs together, now we individually make music in our own time and then present them & jam it out together. We communicate a lot through text messages.

It definitely changed with our lifestyle, and we adapt quite easily with the times. Perhaps it is our legacy as ex-substance addicts, we learned to adapt to different situations and environments. Even if we have to change our life-patterns, we will learn to adapt.

M

And you said earlier that you have changed physically?

S

Aging… we have to dye our hair now! (laughs) Age is nothing but a number, we may be physically older but we have to be young at heart. (laughs) Back in the day after a tour or show, we would hit a night club until the wee morning hours, nowadays we go straight to bed. (laughs) But seriously, we are actually in our top form physically and mentally right now. Individually, as people in their 40s, we really are at our best.

M

And again, 30 years into Slank, is there a legacy that you want people to remember you by?

S

We want to be remembered as a group of kids who rebelled through music and lyrics, and were able to change the world.

M

Would you say you are content with Slank’s achievements so far?

S

As a band, we have gone through a lot and we are still in high spirit. We still click when we see each other – that is a satisfaction in itself. There are many stories of band members not getting along, we are still very cool with each other and that is something we want to protect.

M

Concerning Slankers (Slank fans) who are often considered thuggish, could you comment on it?

S

Well, we are a band with a huge fanbase, and our fans have the tendency to be very united and travel in large groups. You are probably aware that our fans are at many events, concerts, political rally, soccer matches, carrying the Slank flag… they always make their presence felt.

Look at our 30th anniversary concert at Bung Karno Stadium, it was not only our biggest concert but also a testament to our fans being misunderstood. From the afternoon before the concert until the very last second, nothing bad happened. It was proof that Slankers are not thugs. We needed to have this huge event because it is a place where the public can see what Slank and Slankers are about.

M

Slank often refers to the color blue, as seen in your album title Generasi Biru (Blue Generation) and your song Pulau Biru (Blue Island). Can you tell us a bit about why this theme keep appearing?

S

Blue is as wide as the sky and as deep as the ocean. The two blue surfaces are separated by the horizon equally. We want our thoughts to be as wide as the skies, our souls as deep as the ocean, and want equality like the horizon.

M

Kaka is involved in saving Bangka Island, correct?

S

Kaka: Yes, well actually, I started it.

M

Can you tell us a little bit about how you became involved, and how it is doing now?

S

Kaka: While Slank had some downtime I wanted to go diving, and my friends recommended not to just go to my regular spot in Bunaken, but also Bangka. So I went to Bangka and while I was there, somebody told me I was a lucky diver because this island might not exist soon. Apparently the island was going to be mined and that will, of course, destroy the ecosystem. I couldn’t believe it. Bangka Island is such a beautiful place.

I always had this connection with the sea. Even before I was a diver, I used to walk along the ocean. It is a place where I can release my emotions – through reflection, making music, or just cry. So while I was in Sulawesi, my friend asked me to do a video campaign for Bangka. We didn’t know where to publish it but then we found Change.org, and from there it went viral.

It was actually overwhelming. While we were doing the campaign, Greenpeace joined, Walhi joined, the WWF joined – the links grew in numbers. At the moment I can only watch as these organization are doing the operations.

Until this day, there hasn’t been any response by the government about this island. The mining has not started either, but we have seen some of the heavy machinery make their way to the island.

My hope is that those machinery will never be used.

M

What bands influence Slank’s sound?

S

Oh there are a whole lot of them. Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters, Queen, Van Halen, the Doors, and many more.

M

Any Indonesian musicians?

S

God Bless, Iwan Fals, there are a couple of Koes Plus and Koes Bersaudara songs that we like as well.

M

You once performed with White Shoes and the Couples Company and have collaborated with The SIGIT and The Brandals. You guys seem to be in touch with the independent Indonesian music scene. What is your take on this scene?

S

The independent scene is the pride of Indonesia’s music world. There are bands like Burgerkill in Bandung, The Sigit, Shaggydog in Yogyakarta – these bands are huge but independent. The indie scene is definitely better than the major label scene – the mainstream is filled mostly with alay (what is “alay?” click here to find out) bands, boy bands whose quality is low.

If you want to listen to quality Indonesian music, listen to its independent scene. What we hear most of the time are these alay bands, bands that follow the industry’s demand, bands that are fashioned to make money. If you want to hear music that is original and creative, listen to the indie scene. They are not on TV but they are great.

These bands actually have a large following in Indonesia, they’re just untouched by the mainstream media. They created their own lane.

M

With today’s technology, such as social media, unsigned bands have a medium to promote their work. What was it like before?

S

There was only one way back in the day: perform on TVRI (Televisi Republik Indonesia – Indonesia’s national television station). If you made it to TVRI, you will become famous. Nowadays, an Indonesian band can become popular through different media.

M

Any favorite independent bands?

S

The SIGIT, Burgerkill, Shaggydog, Koil and Navicula.

M

Slank is an advocate for anti-corruption and anti-drugs. How did you get involved in these campaigns?

S

Yes, and recently we became icons for Jakarta Bersih (a clean Jakarta). How we got involved… for example, when Komisi Pemberantas Korupsi (Corruption Eradication Commission) approached us, they have heard our songs about anti-corruption, and seeing that we both have the same interest, they asked us to help disseminate information about corruption. The same thing with anti-drugs, knowing that we were former drug-addicts, they asked us to be a symbol for their movement. And now, Jokowi asked us to be icons for a cleaner Jakarta because we show through our songs that we care about the environment that we live in.

M

Having Bunda Iffet as one of your manager and being mother to Bim2x and Kaka, has there been a conflict of interest for Slank?

S

Bunda actually became involved accidentally. When we were destroyed by drugs – rock-bottom and not knowing how to get out of that situation, we asked Bunda Iffet to be involved hoping that she will bring some stability. We needed that conflict of interest to remind us to not destroy our lives. If Slank was a train, Bunda is the engine that keeps us going forward.

M

To end our interview, what’s next for Slank?

S

Holiday! (laughs) We are performing in Japan, but will perhaps take a break because 2014 will be a big year for general election, and we honestly do not like to be involved in politics. We also want to make a TV Show, as well as develop Slankers.tv

M

Great! Any last word for our readers?

S

We can achieve anything except bite our own heads, so live your dream – You can do it! Also, a big mistake many Indonesians are prone to is not thinking about the future, so for this 2014, make thinking about the future your resolution. When individuals think about their future, the whole of Indonesia will have a future as well.