The last part of a series of 3 interviews with Wiro, one of the country’s sca scenester. Historical actors and one of the founders from Indonesian ska’s collective movements such as the Skartefak – Jakarta Ska Foundation and ISC (Indonesian Ska Connection). As well as a producer and guitar player for one of Indonesia’s big ska outfits, Sentimental Moods. In this session, we summarize Wiro’s story about his band.

The Bliss Of The Localism

The spread of ska in Indonesia is so unique, many Indonesian music outfits play ska with the musical characters that are identical to each ‘wave’ of the ska movement in the world. From Jakarta, Sixtols, a very cultured and legendary skinhead band who plays ska unofficially initiate this. Then from the eastern part of Jakarta, in the mid-1990s, Skalie became one of the big names of that era with their 2Tone-esque music. Then not too long after them, a group of youths called themselves as Artificial Life combined those ska essence from their two predecessors. Until now, almost from all over the country, so many ska units have been born to give their color and soul to Indonesian’s ska festivity. (A little notes from us) An absolute example of this, is Shaggydog, the role models club from the city of Yogyakarta who still survive today and still have their fire to burn the dance floor. Then, Youngster City Rockers (Malang), The Gravelites (Salatiga), Holygrass (Lampung), the big charms outfit from Jakarta are also stands, such as The Caltonette Serenade, Monkey Boots and High Moon to Denny Frust a famous ska soloist.

Referring to this ska music reference, Wiro explained his choice. It wasn’t easy for him to accept the change of the character from the many ‘ska waves’ in the world. He said, although Desmond Dekker and Judge Dread once had been released in Indonesia and became references. He prefers the early generation of 2Tone as the source of his music.

“Yes, it seems my choice (as well as many skinheads in Indonesia in the 95s) fell to The Specials, Madness, The Selecter and Bad Manners“

Wiro also concluded that the interconnected culture of Punk, Skinhead and Jamaican Music is something he enjoys as a variable of ska music in this country. He admits that he prefers to be called a skinhead wannabe. He reasoned that skinheads as a culture really have a wide taste in music. Wiro also remembers that he often visits several skinhead networks in Indonesia.

“(To) deepening, it’s not just music, but a ‘way of life’, I often hang out in other cities where skinheads are hanging out (and maybe considered the harshest lifestyle), such as Meruya Barmy Army (West Jakarta), South Sex Guret (South Jakarta), Realino & Sayidan (Yogyakarta) , Sriwedari Bootbois Solo, PI Crew (Bandung), Singosari Bootbois and Mitra II Crew (Malang), as well as Skin N Punk Telkom, Bogor. “

From here he absorbed a lot of the various dynamics about skinhead itself and of course, ska. He believes that the “adopted-adoption” in this ska scenes will certainly be a reversible polemic.

He cheerfully laughed explaining, “For me, the ‘Way of Life’ doesn’t have to be (about) fashion, because besides this is an imported culture that is “adopted adoption”, for me fashion is not like that. Although fashion as an identity (can) refer more. Yes, at least because of the skinhead at Tanah Abang Market, the bootlegged version of Fred Perry’s clothing was flooded”

The Tinge of Sentimental Instrumentalia 

Next, we asked him how he ended up getting involved in Sentimental Moods, one of Indonesia’s most famous ska outfits. The band was formed when Daniel (Baritone Sax) and Beni (Drums) met. At that time, Daniel was one of the crew of the legendary band, White Shoes and The Couples Company (WSATCC) and Beni was still with another legendary band, The Upstairs. Edo (Bass) and Yurie (Sax), Daniel’s former bandmates (Indonesian Ska’s veteran, Es Coret) completed this first line-up. The line up that finally sparked the idea to form an Instrumental Ska outfit.

“Maybe Beni’s reference that led me to join the sentimental mood, even though Yurie was initially pessimistic. Because he thinks that I bring more trouble and creates chaos at a lot of gigs,” Wiro explained with a laugh.

He also explained that from 2008 to 2013 Sentimental Moods only had a schedule of going in and out of the rehearsal studio as a recruitment process to complement the brass division. “Crazy! 5 years in the band, our only job was to hold an audition to find the brass men!” Wiro chuckled again.

They were once fully supported by Ndik Ichi (of Bandung Inikami Orcheska) and trombonist Timmy Bone Armstrong (of Djakartalites). Sentimental Moods finally released their debut EP in 2012. Now their complete Line Up is Daniel, Yurie, Edo, Wiro, Taufiq, Masmo, Amor, and Acil. An agile formation that gave birth to many ideas.

Sentimental Moods, (named after Duke Ellington‘s title song; Sentimental Mood) is a ska band that have an adeptness at executing the big ideas behind their work. The energies of each personnel unite very well in their big “agenda”. The only limitation for them is the idea itself, as an instrumental band without a singer, they have to be subtle to convey the message “only” through the melody lines.

Their musical abilities come from the dialectic between the personnels. The backgrounds of each personnel also injected a different spectrum into the ska repertoire of Sentimental Moods.

Wiro explained, Masmo as the last member to join the line-up actually brought a jazzy touch to Sentimental Moods. Wiro added that he was the one who advised Beni to keep recruiting Masmo.

“Ben, don’t look at his age … look at the figure (with the tools), he has a Hammond, (just check) how many (local) musicians use it, beside he plays Jazz (fluently) too!”

This diversity they have is what enables them to bring their colourful work of ska into Indonesian’s scene. Starting from cultivating an off-beat of swing music to become ‘friendly’ into the groove of ska, then changing ska dance patterns with unusual time signatures, they also bring the diversity of emotions that they conveyed through their splendid chord progression. As if to finalise them all, the concept of their releases are thematic as well. They celebrate the big days through music, they congratulate them through ‘Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer’ as well as amplifying ‘Selamat Lebaran‘, the satire work of art from the great homeland composer, Ismail Marzuki. Sentimental Moods inserts the message of consciousness inherent in the Jamaican sounds culture in their work.

Sentimental Moods was also known as a witty gang of ska in choosing a theme for themselves. Their song ‘Suka-Suka‘ is dedicated to Indonesian children. A cheerful yet  joyous composition that has long been missing from the list of musical works for children in Indonesia.

“(Album) ‘November 10!’ There are a lot of hidden messages, like watching a Star Wars movie starting from episode IV, all new stories are connected after a few episodes and the moments in front of them.” Wiro answers a question from kultur about the most emotional Sentimental Moods’ album to him.

In this album, again we can see the ingenuity of Sentimental Moods. They released a homage work in a rendition set from the works of WR. Soepratman, Ismail Marzuki and Gesang, National greatest composers of all time. They presented these national anthems with freshness, a serious elevation of national history through culture and art from Sentimental Moods.

One small note we conclude about Wiro and Sentimental Moods is, they casually bring the appropriateness of ska with the Indonesian-ism. Like they say through their song “Ska Me This, Ska Me That“. This song has a message of an openness about the appropriation of ska from their point of view. It’s just something sentimental, but quite crucial.

That’s what Wiro and Sentimental Moods are for us. Closing the final part of this three interview series, we rewrite the excerpt from Sentimental Moods’ version of ‘The Imperial March’ (John Williams), in which Wiro himself is dubbed the voice; “Never Underestimate the Power of the DANCE side!”
(Sam)