Slank
is formed in 1983. It was started as a junior high school band called
Cikini Stone Complex (CSC), Bimbim on drums, Boy on Guitar, Kiki
on Guitar, Abi on bass, Uti and Well Welly as the singers. This
band used to play the musics of their idols, The Rolling Stones
but this band won't last long enough. With his cousins Erwan and
Denny, Bimbim - the drummer - began to formed a new band called
Red Evil. Kiki which was one of the guitarist of CSC join them.
Another guy named Bongky is also played the guitar on this band.
While CSC were imitating the Rolling Stones, Red Evil has a better
concept besides playing an international band's number, Red Evil
begin to composed their own song.
Even
though the band is playing world chart rock number, the way they
play the song is very interesting as they always did this top chart
rock song in their own way, which is reckless, ignorance and with
undetailed groove as the original artist play. The supports from
friends and some earliest fans called them SLENGEAN which exactly
fits of the way they play and performance. Since then Red Evil change
the name to SLANK.
Indonesian
parents at that time is hoping their children could be an engineer,
doctors, accountant, bankers or any job that was known by them.
A musician or artist is a jobless one to their thinking. Lucky for
Bimbim as his parents is supporting 99% of his will to be a musician.
Even they let the boys haveng their practising and rehearsing at
their home in Jl. Potlot 14. This place known as SLANK's home base.
As
the time goes on, a marriage of the brain, taste, feel, mood etcetera
are undeniable. The band start to changing players one after another.
Patient has given Bimbim a good luck. At the 13th formation he got
the great team to combat the music industry. It was the formation
of Bimbim on drums, Bongky on bass, Pay on guitar, Indra on keyboards
and Kaka as the lead vocals.
They
start to bring their demo tape here and there, from producer to
producer, from records company to records company which deny their
ability in performing the music. At last Indra Qadarsih, the keyboard
player at that time, introduce the band with Budhi Soesatio their
former producer. After listening to the demo, Budhi was interested
in their music for Slank has a good blend of Pop, Rock n' Roll,
Blues and Indonesian Ethnicity and it is differ from the shelved
music that years.
Boedhi's
sense of business was proofed. Slank's debut album SLANK SUIT..
SUIT.. HE.. HE.. (Gadis Sexy) - released in 1991, has punch the
market with single MEMANG and MAAFKAN and become The Best Seller
which brought Slank to receive the BASF Award as The Best New Comer
in 1991.
Ever
since the debut, SLANK getting popular and has a lot of fans all
over the country. They keep up with their new album almost every
year, i.e.:
- 2nd
Album "KAMPUNGAN" - 1991
- 3rd Album "PISS" - 1993
- 4th Album "GENERASI BIRU" - 1994
- 5th Album "MINORITAS" - 1995
After
the 5th album SLANK has to loose three of the players which are
Bongky (bassist), Indra Q (keyboardist) and Pay (guitarist).
With
only two personel left, Bimbim and Kaka, SLANK tried to keep alive.
They make their 6th album, LAGI SEDIH, with a help from friends
which are Reynold on guitar and Ivanka on bass. LAGI SEDIH, literary
mean 'Sadness Moment' was showing their sadness moment left by the
players, released in 1996.
The
sadness become more deep when Reynold left the band while they prepare
for the album's promo. For the purpose of that particular tour they
made audition to find a replacement for Reynold. Ivanka introduce
Abdee Negara while Lulu Ratna, the manager at that time, introduce
Ridho Hafiedz. The two guitarist has different character so they
decide to ask both of them to play. Over 100 songs was given to
them to learn in only two weeks. Again with these players, Slank
is return to rock the roads with the 14th formation.
Slank
is back on the roads with the new players and records another new
albums.
7th album - TUJUH released 1997
8th album - MATA HATI REFORMASI released 1998
9th album - 999+09 released 1999 (double album)
10th album - VIRUS released 2001
11th album - SATU SATU released 2003
12th album - ROAD TO PEACE released April 2004
13th album - PLUR released December 2004
Today
in the 21th year, what Slank has took the market segments that has
not been touch by former market. Slank has had the market share
of about 10% of Indonesian listener. Their fans for what they call
them SLANKERS, are doing what ever they told in their lyrics as
most of the lyrics are expression of the youth bravery and rebellion
of a generation against established culture and/or system. No violence
necessary on a rebellion done by Slank… it's LOVE and PEACE
rebellion....and even now UNITY & RESPECT added to become PLUR...
Peace, Love Unity and Respect.
The
truth, Slank has become an icon for a generation to have a spirit,
solidarity and a be someone.
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