During Akbar Bagus Sudibyo’s childhood, his mother had a problem. She could never get
her son to put the broom down.
The drummer for Efek Rumah Kaca [The Greenhouse Effect], an indie band that has just released its second album, would go from room to room strumming the fake guitar, driving his mother to distraction. But as he grew older and switched from the broom to a makeshift drum kit he had designed himself, it was his father who would tell Akbar to knock it off.
Between jam sessions at Cafe Au Lait, the 33-year-old talked about how his musical career began with a high school bluff, and how it continues today with a commitment only a true musician would understand.
How did your career in the music industry begin?
I’ve liked music since I was a little boy. When I was little, I used to pretend to be a rock singer, but I knew nothing about playing music until one day when I was a freshman in high school and my friend was looking for a drummer for his band. I just bluffed my way into audition, telling him I could play the drums. Heck! I didn’t even know what a [music] studio was back then. So, there I was, knowing nothing about it, just playing “Don’t Cry” by Guns N’ Roses by ear.
By the time I was in college, at the Academy of Media, Radio, and Television in Jakarta, I was playing for money every chance I got, just going from cafe to cafe. I still remember how much I made for my first gig in 1995, it was Rp 20,000 ($1.76). Then the agent cut my take in half.
What about your family, were they supportive of your musical career?
At first, they objected to the idea of me playing the drums for money. Particularly when I wanted to have drums in the house. My father didn’t allow it because he said the noise was unbearable. So I designed and created a drum set made from used car tires, in order to muffle the noise so I could practice in my house. The same thing is produced by major drum factories now and they call it a drum pad.
Did you ever take lessons?
Yes, once, by accident. In 2000, my band was opening for Om Rudy Subekti’s band; we played back-to-back on a three-month contract. I was amazed by how he plays. On the last day of our contract, I mustered the courage to ask him to teach me a few things. The first thing he said was, “Do you really want to be a musician? Are you willing to live poor, but rich in heart?” He taught me so much about music and life. Now he’s like a father to me.
How do you feel about your position as the drummer, compared to more dominant roles like the lead singer or the guitarist?
The way I see it, the drummer is the general of the band, the one who decides the beginning, the tempo and the end of a song. I know the frontmen, either the lead singer or the guitarist, are the ones who have sex appeal; I’m cool with that.
I guess you are living your dream now, with two indie albums and thousands of devoted fans. Is there anything missing?
Thank God, some of my dreams as a musician have come true. But I still have other dreams to fulfill. One of them is to be able to produce major label albums, on the condition that our musical concept remains intact, untouched by the recording company. It’s our concept that sets us apart from the mushy songs of other up-and- coming bands. Efek Rumah Kaca is not just about entertainment, but is a band that emphasizes the social message of each song. For instance, the song “Di Udara” [“In the Air”] is talking about Munir, the murdered human right activist. “Jalang” [“Licentious”] is about the anti-porn law controversy, and “Kenakalan Remaja di Era Informatika” [“Teenage Delinquency in the Era of Information”] is talking about the porn movies made by some teenagers with their cellphone cameras.
What’s the worst experience you’ve had as a musician?
Playing for a month at dawn during the last [football] World Cup without getting paid. But it’s not about the money. What bothered me most is when I did not play my best; I just could not sleep afterward. You see, playing music is about being true to yourself; sometimes you’re the only one who can tell if you’re making a mistake or not.
What’s your proudest moment?
Launching the second album. It’s something for my children and grandchildren to remember me by. And most of all, being able to keep on playing music, how my perseverance has brought me this far. Fame is nothing for me — it’s my dedication to music that counts. Many great musicians play in cafes, oblivious to fame and money, but seem so happy with their musical life. It’s priceless.
So you’re content with the way your career has played out?
Definitely! Being a musician is hard. Unlike other occupations that you can learn from school and, voila, you’re an expert! Not even close. It’s a lifelong journey. Even now, I think I still have so much to learn. In music, you can learn the virtues of life, such as patience and other philosophies. You can hear it in the music.
Akbar Bagus Sudibyo was talking to Fariez Setiawan.
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