Wednesday 28 September 2016

NEW INTERVIEW: Our first interview with SLAVEGOD (Malang Grindcore), 16/9/2016 (Indonesian)

Kieran James1: Hai, bisakah kamu menceritakan sejarah awal terbentuknya band kalian hingga sekarang?
Vicky Grind1: Awalnya kita cuma iseng ketika lihat kakak-kakak kami yang sedang berlatih musik Underground di sebuah studio di kota malang, saat itu saya dan teman saya mulai menikmati alunan-alunan gitar, drum dan suara vocal yang menggeram yang mengantar kami untuk menyukai aliran ini, dan kami mempunyai keinginan untuk membuat sebuah band, yaitu GRINDCORE.

Entah kenapa kami memilih genre ini? tempo yang cepat, teriakan seperti trash punk, ketukan yang padat, dan gitar dengan distorsi yang tebal atau drop. Selain senang memainkanya kami juga senang melihat kekonyolan-kekonyolan band-band grindcore saat beraksi di atas panggung.Ddan alhamdullilah sekarang kita sudah memiliki 12 lagu dan akan segera di release pada bulan-bulan ini.
KJ2: Bagaimana respon orang-orang dengan mini album/album/demo band Kamu?
KJ2: Tentunya sangat support dan bangga terhadap demo dan album kami.

KJ3: Band apa yang paling berpengaruh bagi Kalian dalam bermain musik?
KJ3: MAGRUDERGRIND, NASUM, NAPALM DEATH.

KJ4: Apa rencana kedepan kalian bersama band?
KJ4: Setelah launching album kami akan segera bergegas untuk tour.

KJ5: Apakah lagu-lagu yang kalian buat menggunakan Bahasa Inggris dan Indonesia.
KJ5: dari 12 lagu, 4 bahasa indonesia dan 8 bahasa inggris.

KJ6: Apa yang kalian ceritakan dalam lirik-lirik yang kalian buat?
KJ6: Tentang sosial, kehidupan sehari-hari dan pengalaman pahit yang kami rasakan

KJ7: Mengapa kalian semua suka memainkan musik death-metal?
KJ7: Karena GRINDCORE sudah menggilai jiwa kami, dan kami bisa melampiaskan amarah terhadap musik ini.

KJ8: Kapan pertama kali kamu menjadi fans band metal?
KJ8: Waktu saya duduk di bangku kelas 1 SD.

KJ9: Apa yang Kamu katakan kepada orang-orang yang bertanya mengapa Kamu memainkan musik bergaya barat?
KJ9: Ini selera musik kami, yang kita dengarkan setiap hari dan kami bisa mengekspresikan skill kami disini.

KJ10: Apakah para istri dan kekasih para personil kalian mendukung apa yang kalian kerjakan?
KJ10: Kerabat terdekat dan sodara tentunya mendukung, tapi kebanyakan dari orang tua kami kurang mendukung, mungkin mereka terlalu tua untuk mendengarkan musik bergaya barat hehehe...

KJ11: Apakah hal-hal yang terbaik dan terburuk tentang komunitas di kota kalian?
KJ11: Hal terbaiknya komunitas di kota kami saling mendukung satu sama lain tapi hal terburuknya kebanyakan tidak mau membeli ticket masuk untuk gigs-gigs kecil, boikor event, dan sok artis hehe...

KJ12: Rencana apa yang kalian buat bersama band untuk kedepannya?
KJ12: Setelah launching kami akan merapatkan untuk tour, dan menunjukan pada orang tua kami, bahwa kami bisa melakukanya.

KJ13: Di acara apa kalian merasakan, itu stage yang berkesan?

KJ13: di Acara "PKL ALL FRIEND#5" meskipun di selenggarahkan di sebuah cafe tapi penontonnya sangat antusias dan respect terhadap kami.

KJ14: Ada pesan untuk kawan kawan?
KJ14: Saling support satu sama lain dan harumkan musik GRINDCORE.

Check fanspage: https://m.facebook.com/slavegodgrindcore/?ref=bookmarks 'SLAVEGOD GRINDCORE'

Monday 26 September 2016

NEW INTERVIEW: My first interview with SOULSINFUL (Malang Death Metal Force), 20/3/2016 (Indonesian)

Malang Death Metal Force members
Kieran James1: Hai, bisakah kamu menceritakan sejarah awal terbentuknya band kalian hingga sekarang? Vicky Grind: At first we formed just for fun because my brother had a band (Death of Angel), we continued to make a band with other school children, to get invited to another event. And then we made the band more permanent.
Vicky Grind (SOULSINFUL / SLAVEGOD)

KJ2: Bagaimana respon orang-orang dengan mini album/album/demo band Kamu? Fully supports.

KJ3: Band apa yang paling berpengaruh bagi Kalian dalam bermain musik? Suffocation.

KJ4: Apakah lagu-lagu yang kalian buat menggunakan Bahasa Inggris dan Indonesia. Menggunakan bahasa indonesia.

KJ5: Apa rencana kedepan kalian bersama band? Bringing up the name of Death Metal.

KJ6: Apa yang kalian ceritakan dalam lirik-lirik yang kalian buat? Kemaksiatan dan kematian.

KJ8: Kapan pertama kali kamu menjadi fans band metal? Sejak kelas 5 sd...

KJ9: Apa yang Kamu katakan kepada orang-orang yang bertanya mengapa Kamu memainkan musik bergaya barat? Karena itu kegemaran kami dan hidup kami untuk death metal.

KJ10: Apakah para istri dan kekasih para personil kalian mendukung apa yang kalian kerjakan? Sangat mendukung, tapi kami masih kelas 1 smk.

KJ11: Apakah hal-hal yang terbaik dan terburuk tentang komunitas di kota kalian? Terbaik: saling support mrnyuport, terburuk; saling ricuh...

KJ13: Di acara apa kalian merasakan, itu stage yang berkesan? MASSACRE FEST.

KJ14: Ada pesan untuk kawan kawan? Sebaiknya saling support dalam bidang musik underground.

Please note: Vicky Grind also plays with SLAVEGOD (Malang Grindcore). SLAVEGOD band interview will be posted later this week.
Malang Death Metal Force members, East Java, Indonesia.

Friday 23 September 2016

NEW INTERVIEW: Our first interview with MATICRUST (Filipino / UAE band: Grind Crust Punk)

MATICRUST @ Obscene Extreme Fest 2016. Left to Right: Rippon, Dondon, Dennis The Menace, Erickson, and Infectious Dri. The guitarist of Devourment is in the background. The drummer is UAE-based Indian whilst the other band members are Filipinos also based in the UAE (three guys from Manila and one from Lucena).
Busuk Webzine Net  Interview
Kieran James1: Hi, can you tell me the early history from the formation of the band up to now?
MATICRUST band: Maticrust started in 2012 with me [Dondon], Dennis, Owgz and Ericson. I was the drummer before until eventually we found a drummer so now I help Ericson with the vocals. Maticrust is composed of Terror Rust, Antipathy, C.O.R and Bad Omen. And the band was formed here in the U.A.E [United Arab Emirates] but we have all been active since 1995 in different bands.
MATICRUST live @ Obscene Extreme Fest 2016.
KJ2: How is the response of people to your mini-albums / album / demos?
They are supportive in terms of getting their copies of the old demo and they show much appreciation for us by attending our gigs as well
KJ3: What are the most influential bands for you guys in playing music?
We’re influenced by Disrupt, Extreme Noise Terror, Terrorizer, Insect Warfare, Phobia, Doom, Old Brutal Truth and Masskontroll
KJ4: What are your future plans for the band?
We plan to tour in South-east Asia which is happening next year namely Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines. And also the release of our EP Inhumane World Deprivation.
KJ5: Are the songs you create using English or foreign lyrics?
We use English so anyone can understand.
KJ6: What are the lyrical themes?
Our lyrics are based on Anti-War, Bullshit Socio-Political System, and Social Discriminations.
KJ7: Why do you all like to play old-school instead of deathcore or other modern styles?
Because we started in the scene around mid-90’s so we are used to and like to play the old-school way and to us it’s faster and has a direct way of showing and expressing Grind/Crust/Punk. 
KJ8: When did you first become fans of metal / punk bands?
By mid-90’s.
KJ9: What do you say to people who ask why you play western-style music?
Because that’s what we have been motivated by since we started it all.
KJ10: Do the wives and girlfriends of the personnel support what you are doing?
Yeah, they know it and every tour they are there to support us all the way; afterwards they enjoy it as well.
KJ11: What are the best and worst things about the community in your city?
In the UAE the scene here is already developed because we built a kolektib here especially for the people who want to see the grind, punk, crust community because the scene here before was composed only of black, death and trash metal. The worst things here are the people who want to sabotage some gigs like someone giving false info to the government about a gig production. We all know how sensitive in terms of religion this country is so if there’s a satanic involvement the government will put a stop to that event even if the organizer spent so much money on it. They can do anything just to cancel the event because of an asshole sicko who told a lie so that the show will be stopped.
KJ12: What are your most memorable shows or experiences onstage? / KJ13: Have you got any message for the fans?
Our most memorable experience is The Obscene Extreme Festival 2016 because that was our dream playing with crust, grindcore, punk, and brutal death bands in that Woodstock Musick Festival. The most interesting part for us was that we played alongside Extreme Noise Terror, Insect Warfare, Deathside, Rotten Sound, Brujeria, Toxic Holocaust, Venomous Concept, Lock-Up, and War Wound. Totally it was the most memorable show for us in our lives and we had the most supportive audience as well.
KJ14: OK, thank you very much.
Thanks Busuk Webzine for this opportunity to interview for your webzine, Keep it Up and Grind-On!!!In Grind, We Crust!!!
MATICRUST live @ Obscene Extreme Fest 2016:

Thursday 22 September 2016

NEW INTERVIEW: Our second interview with SABAOTH (Manado, North Sulawesi Brutal Death Metal)

SABAOTH band from Manado, North Sulawesi. Left to right : Marcel (drum), Rio (guitar), Boy (vocal). One month before the band reached Jakarta / Bandung last July 2015, the bassist resigned because of his study.
Kieran James: Hai, bisakah kamu menceritakan sejarah awal terbentuknya band kalian hingga sekarang? *Hallo, Sabaoth terbentuk di tahun 2005, sampai saat ini sudah beberapa kali berganti personil,personil asli yang tersisa saat ini hanya Rio (gitar). Formasi saat ini Rio (gitar) Marcel (drum) dan Boy (vokal). Sudah merilis 3 cd demo, 1 cd promo re issue, dan 1 full length album dalam format cd.
KJ2: Bagaimana respon orang-orang dengan mini album/album/demo band Kamu? *Respon orang orang terhadap album kami sejauh ini sangat positif, kami juga sangat terbuka dengan kritikan terhadap karya kami. Dan kami sangat menghargai apapun respon teman teman.
SABAOTH 2014-15 with former bassist.
KJ3: Band apa yang paling berpengaruh bagi Kalian dalam bermain musik?
*Masing masing personil sebenarnya mempunyai influence musik yang berbeda beda, tapi mungkin yang paling banyak mempengaruhi musikalitas kami adalah band band New York old skool death metal.
KJ4: Apa rencana kedepan kalian bersama band?
*Terus buat karya, dan tour ke seluruh indonesia. Seluruh dunia kalau perlu...haha
KJ5: Apakah lagu-lagu yang kalian buat menggunakan Bahasa Inggris dan Indonesia.
*Di album Demogrind (2007) dan Exile (2010) kami menyisipkan 1 atau 2 lagu berbahasa indonesia. Tapi di album Unholy Divinity (2015), semua nya full menggunakan bahasa inggris.
KJ6: Apa yang kalian ceritakan dalam lirik-lirik yang kalian buat?
*Dalam Demogrind, kami menceritakan tentang sosial, kejadian kejadian yang sering terjadi di sekitar kita. Dalam Exile, kami membahas tentang perilaku seseorang yang depresi, terganggu dalam lingkup sosial dan memuja kematian. Dalam Unholy Divinity, kami membahas tentang kegelapan, kekerasan atas nama agama, dan berontak terhadap agama dan "tuhan".
KJ7: Mengapa kalian semua suka memainkan musik death-metal?
*Death metal itu jujur, apa adanya dan kami nyaman mendengarkan dan memainkan nya.
KJ8: Kapan pertama kali kamu menjadi fans band metal?
*Saat saya di sekolah menengah atas,sekitaran tahun 97-98.
KJ9: Apa yang Kamu katakan kepada orang-orang yang bertanya mengapa Kamu memainkan musik bergaya barat?
*Saya tidak peduli dengan itu.
KJ10: Apakah para istri dan kekasih para personil kalian mendukung apa yang kalian kerjakan?
*Sejauh ini tidak ada masalah, justru mereka sangat mendukung.
KJ11: Apakah hal-hal yang terbaik dan terburuk tentang komunitas di kota kalian?
*Hal terbaik adalah saat kami membuat event metal pertama kali di manado pada tahun 2008, semua band all genre metal bisa sepanggung dan berbagi keceriaan bersama. Sayang event ini harus berakhir ketika pada tahun 2015, komunitas ini pecah karena diambil alih oleh orang orang yang membawa kepentingan pribadi ke dalam komunitas, dan melarang para "umat" nya untuk support event lain selain yang dibuat mereka, untuk support band selain dari kaum mereka, dan memboikot event event "gratisan" yang dibuat oleh sponsor sponsor rokok, tapi anehnya mereka ikutan main di event "gratisan" tersebut.
KJ12: Rencana apa yang kalian buat bersama band untuk kedepannya?
*Merampungkan album baru dan tour di berbagai kota di indonesia.
KJ13: Di acara apa kalian merasakan, itu stage yang berkesan?
*Semua panggung sabaoth sangatlah berkesan, tapi di panggung sickness deathfest dan groupies death fest#2 kemarin adalah yang paling berkesan. Kami main di hadapan para penikmat death metal, pemerhati musik, orang orang label dan teman teman yang selama ini hanya kami kenal melalui sosial media.
KJ14: Ada pesan untuk kawan kawan?
*Teruslah berkarya dengan jujur, bikin karya sebaik mungkin karena sebuah band akan dikenang karena karya nya, bukan modal tua dan banyak tulis status di sosial media. Perbanyak teman, bukan perbanyak musuh.
KJ15: OK, terima kasih banyak
*Terima kasih kembali.
New SABAOTH song for debut album "Unholy Divinity" released in February 2015 on Dismembered Records:

Tuesday 20 September 2016

NEW INTERVIEW: Our first interview with KODUSA (Jakarta White Metal) (English version), 27/11/2015

KODUSA (Jakarta White Metal) new 2016 line-up. Left to Right: Rala (drums), Lulu (guitar), Ives (vocal1), Lila (vocal2), and Jack (bass).
Kieran James aka Jack Frost1: Hi, could you please tell us the history of the band?

KJ1: This band was established by Ivan ‘Bhatocx’ Wijaya on July 19th 1998. At that time, the band formation was different. On the leading of Ivan KODUSA the formation was changed several times. Before Ivan’s changes the band consisted of Ivan (guitar), TJ (female vocalist), Dicky (male vocalist), Zack (bass) and Beni (drum).

On December 2nd 1999, Ivan passed away because of leukaemia. Considering there’s a vacant place, Dicky the vocalist suggested Lulu to replaced Ivan as a guitarist. It was several figures who took the role as a guitarist. Some of them are Bemby and Fajar. However, Lulu is the one who still remains.

Kodusa then experienced another change, which was on female vocalist. Tj (TJ Extravaganza) signed off from the band and chose to continue her solo performance. Eventually, Dicky also decided to quit the band and joined with another band. Lulu the guitarist then suggested his sister Lila to fill the gap on Kodusa by being the female vocalist. There was also Ives (Ivan’s dad) who recommended Ives (Ivan’s brother) to be the male vocalist.

After the band has got its new member, they decided to create a new nuance for their music. Based on Lulu’s idea, the band added Turntable and Sampling instrument to be played by another new member, Amy, who is a female DJ.

I was not so long after the arrival of new instruments that there was another dynamic occurred in the band. Beni the drummer left the band and was substituted by AL, former drummer of Purgatory Band.

In the early of 2000, Kodusa was totally reformed. The original band member remaining was Zack the bassist. Also in this year, the band made its new formation consisting of Ivan (male lead vocalist), Lila (female vocalist), Zack (bassist), Lulu (guitar), Amy (DJ), and Al (drum). Unfortunately, this formation lasted just 2 years. Again, Kodusa was facing shortage of band members. Amy quit because she could not manage to balance her office life. Three years later, in 2004, Al who became Lulu’s husband had to be dismissed from the band because of his involvement in another band called Purgatory. Within the recent Kodusa’s minimalist formation, there was a drummer from TABOO band who acted as an additional drummer for Kodusa.

Despite a lot of changes happening Kodusa still went on its productive way and contributed to music. KODUSA’s song titled ‘Damai’ has been listed on compilation album called “Revolution of Sound2”. The album was released in 2005 by Sony/BMG Indonesia.

When this article was written, Kodusa is going back to minimalist formation. Kodusa put their distinction on their song and lyrics; vocal character of Ives and Lila; attractive bass playing by Zack; solo guitar by Lulu; and Rala (their new drummer). Interestingly, Rala was met with the band ‘accidentally’ when he was performing Taraweh praying at Ramadan 2007.

Note: Former additional drummer, Oky, now became drummer of famous Indonesian band Andra and The Backbone.

KJ2: How do the people respond to your mini album / album / demo?

Alhamdulillah (Thank God), their response was generally good. They were happy and enthusiastic with our single and songs. Some of our friends who were listening to our songs even memorised our lyrics very well. Hey also gave us support by buying our album and merchandise. Some of them also gave us some feedbacks and shared with us about our aims and our vision in music industry.

KJ3: Which band influenced you the most?

Each of us has different favourite bands and different inspirations that influenced our musical taste. And none of them has to be metal band. We love Korn, Deftones, Mudvayne, Dream Theater, A Perfect Circle, Incubus, Nirvana, Bjork, Alanis Morisette, etc. We also idolise local band who play religious music such as Bimbo.

KJ4: What is your future plan with this band?

Actually, we always wanted to finish our first album because in the meantime, we released some singles that we shared to some compilations, whether it’s an indie or semi indie compilations. Our purpose was to compile our singles to became one album. We also planned to launch the album with the help of some musicians, who contributed to our songs as a backing vocalist. They are: Iman, Anton (J-Rock band); Eno and Choky (Netral Band); Bonnie (Dead Squad); Al, Lutfi, Bounty, and Apit (Purgatory Band).

KJ5: Do you also create songs using English?

Yes. Most of our songs are combination where some part is using English.

KJ6: What do you trying to tell on the lyrics that you have made?

Our lyrics have some themes ranging from social matters, peace, justice, and some of them are religious. Religious in this context was some story and legend based on our holy Quran.

The point is, we are trying to deliver the positive message from it through our lyrics and music. We are also trying to pass the message by using appropriate words, as polite as possible.

KJ7:  Why do you guys like death metal music?

We love metal music, partly because it has a ‘hard’ rhythm, energy, and its full of passion. However, we try to balance the beat of the music with our soft and ‘anti - violence’ lyrics.

KJ8: When was the first time you’ve been the fans of metal?

Hmmm, not sure when is it. Each member of the band has different experiences about that. Perhaps, we started to be fans when we saw some bands like Metallica, Sepultura, Slipknot which were really popular in Indonesia.

AL (Purgatory drummer, ex-Kodusa) and wife Lulu (Kodusa)
KJ9: What would you say to the people who ask why you play western style music?

Hmmm.. not all of western culture is bad or negative. We love western metal musicians and just enjoyed their music, their techniques, and that’s it. About the relatively ‘free’ lifestyle (although not all of westerners are doing that)… we were trying to get rid of it (the lifestyles). We’re not naïve that we have members who did terrible things in the past, being struck with drugs… but it has been the past and they’re clear now. They’re keeping doing a healthy life now and stay away from drugs.

We thought that as long as we could adapt with the positive side and stay away from negative stuff, western culture is nothing to worry about.

KJ10: Do your wives or girlfriends support what you’ve been doing?

Most of them are really supportive of each other. We’ve got husband and wife vocalist at Kodusa. As well as Lulu, our guitarist, who is Al’s wife. Al is playing drums at metal band Purgatory, so Lulu and Al is a metal-musician couple. Moreover, Zack (bass) and Rala (drums) are also supported by their wives.

KJ11: What would be the good and bad things about the community in your city?

We live in Indonesia, which applies eastern culture, and well known for the people's friendliness. We also still respect our heritage and local wisdoms. Morality and good attitude are everything here. As well as how religious the people are. Apparently, people here are very diverse and respect each other. So, generally speaking, lack of morality was just practised by a small number of people.

KJ12: What’s your future plan?

Besides creating album, launching the album, creating video clips, we really want to be contributing to music concerts especially those which emphasise social and religious aims within the concert. We also are looking forward to being a part of social activities.

KJ13: What is your most memorable performance?

Almost every gig has its own memorable moment. Maybe the most memorable was the event held by local metal bands. This event theme was “Approach Deen Avoids Sins”. We did not expect that the folks would be really enthusiastic. Most of them, we believe, are those with pure life goals: avoid bad things and do things that are worthwhile for others. Some of them even managed to expand this ‘campaign’ to their family and friends.

KJ14: Do you have something to say for your friends?

Hmm, maybe we have to noticing our self first. Disseminating the good deed is nothing if we ourselves could not implement what’s our religion been ordered to us.  Good syiar is not only spread by words but also by real actions. If we could act in a good way, we can say that our aim as a band has already been visible by our friend or acquaintances.

KJ15: Why do you call your genre as ‘white metal’?

We knew that the image of metal is opposite with goodness, which is always represented as ‘white’. For us, white means pure and innocent. White is also related with many Islamic symbols. We are trying to create a perception that, although we are doing metal music, we are doing it in a pure and innocent way. Trying to be in a way that blessed by Allah SWT.

KJ16: Does one finger movement still exist and do you join this movement? (Question from Teguh Prasetyo from INTERFECTORMENT band, Bandung)

As far as we know, One Finger Movement still exists. At the beginning, this movement was ignited by Ombat from a local band called Tengkorak. But, generally speaking, metal bands such as Purgatory, Kodusa, and some local bands have been applying sort of Islamic metal far before terms like “Islamic Metal” or “Metal Tauhid” or “One Finger Metal” was popular. This could happen because, as well as the majority of population being Muslims; there was actually a lot of metal fans here in Indonesia. One interesting example was during the concert we could have a break until adzan is finished. (Adzan is the Muslim call to ritual prayer).  Even after azan, everyone goes to mosque for praying.

There is still a support though. For example was happened to our fellow in Purgatory band. One of their single is titled “M.O.G.S.A.W”, which is an abbreviation from “Messenger of God Shalallahu Alaihi Wassalam” (honorary title for Prophet Muhammad). Then, Purgatory fans suddenly called themselves as “MOGERZ” or “Messenger of God Shallallahu Alaihi Wasallam Followerz”.

Although many people appreciate that ‘unusual’ circumstance, some of them are also pouting on us and feeling awkward about that.  For example in 1999/2000, some folks on the community mocked us as a “HardMus” band, which means HardcoreMuslims. But in fact, those mocked did not let us down. WE are indeed Muslims and we have certain obligation like praying 5 times a day, etc.

Yet, we are still confident with our identity. There are many local metal bands that have same ideology like us and they are also still proud of their Islamic values.

There is an increasing number of new bands with the same values though.

Lastly, thankyou very much. Apologise for being late on answering this interview. Thanks for the opportunity to be a represented metal band in this genre. 

[Translation into English by: Ms Okky Irmanita of University of GLasgow, Scotland.]

CONCERT REVIEW: SAXON, live @ Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow, Scotland, 21 November 2022, by KIeran James.

SAXON concert review – Glasgow, Scotland, 21 November 2022, by Kieran James “We stood in the dark and the band played on” It wasn’t a no...