Ska swings its beat across Indonesia<\/p>\n
By Endi Aras<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): In 1995, Brian Rosenthal conducted research
\nwhich he published on the Internet (www.skamusic.com). He
\nreported that Ska music was born in the former British colony of
\nJamaica which became a member of the Commonwealth in 1962. At the
\nend of 1999, Ska music, now well-known to the public, has
\nsuddenly appeared and almost dominates the music market in
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Ska music has become a trend among the younger generation in
\nIndonesia, mainly in the big cities like Jakarta and Bandung. But
\neven youth in the smaller cities in Central Java and East Java
\nlike this type of music. A number of recording companies in
\nJakarta are now vying with each other to produce Ska music and to
\nhunt for new talent.<\/p>\n
Like some other music trends in Indonesia, Ska music has
\nemerged due to certain conditions. The wish of musicians for
\nfreedom and peace in life is contained in the mostly optimistic
\nSka lyrics. Among the Ska groups the Tipe X band from Jakarta
\nseems to attract the most attention. There is also the Wastafel
\ngroup. Bandung has the Noin Bullet group, Surakarta the Teddy
\nBear and the rainy town of Bogor the Error group.<\/p>\n
Yogyakarta has now some 20 Ska groups. Most of them are
\nseriously involved in Ska music. Think of Shaggy Dog, Black Sky,
\nTraffic Light, Joy Island and Terplunk.<\/p>\n
The names of Ska groups are strange and funny. Ska groups have
\nalso burgeoned in small towns in Central Java and East Java. In
\nMalang the Ibu Kita Skartini group has adopted and changed the
\nname of a popular Indonesian heroine, Kartini. Purwokerto in
\nCentral Java makes use of its vernacular to take the name of
\nSkarepe (to each his own) for a Ska group. A band in Jakarta has
\nassumed the name Kethoepat Skayoer (ketupat sayur is a dish of
\nrice cakes and vegetables in a hot coconut sauce).<\/p>\n
The mushrooming Ska groups are accompanied by the growing
\naggressiveness of their fans. The fanaticism is seen at Ska music
\nconcerts. With their striking accessories, Ska fans attract the
\npublic's attention. Ska mania is expressed in the colorful
\nattributes worn by Ska supporters during concerts. Caps, ties and
\ncoats are the main accessories worn by Ska fans. Suitcases,
\ncheckered shorts and Hawaii shirts complement Ska mania. Fans dye
\ntheir hair blond. Equipped with their Ska style, they dance
\njoyously to Ska rhythms. Their dance style is vastly different
\nfrom other dance forms. The difference is largely influenced by
\nthe beat of the music accompanying the dance.<\/p>\n
Different from other imported music, such as Rap, Ska has a
\nnumber of striking characteristics. The brass section is one of
\nthem, although not all Ska bands have the instruments. Brass
\ninstruments enhance the atmosphere of joy and liveliness. The
\nNoin Bullet group thinks the brass section is complementary to
\nthe function of maintaining a song's liveliness. In this way, it
\nis like African music, which also accentuates the sounds of brass
\ninstruments. The development of Ska music has led to the
\ndominance of the brass section.<\/p>\n
There is some confusion about the Ska trend. Some people say
\nSka resembles Reggae, others find it is like The Police. Ska fans
\nin Indonesia remain undeterred.<\/p>\n
It is not clear whether Ska music here is only a feverish
\ntrend. But its fans can be found in small towns in Indonesia. The
\nperformance of Tipe X in Wonosobo, Central Java, some time ago
\nwas warmly welcomed by the youths of the small town at the foot
\nof Mount Dieng. Young people in the Wonosari region of Gunung
\nKidul, Yogyakarta, are fanatic about Ska music. They all know
\nabout the Shaggy Dog group who hail from their town.<\/p>\n
Rap and Reggae are two other forms of music that were
\nintroduced to Indonesia. They just dropped by never to stay.
\nBefore Rap came to Indonesia, music accompanying dance like
\nBreakdance also made Indonesian youths feverish. One of the
\nlatest imports was House Music, a trend which soon vanished when
\nthe government issued the law on narcotics and prohibited drugs.<\/p>\n
Ska music has caused some bewilderment in Indonesian music
\ncircles. Many music observers do not understand Ska music. The
\nmusic is popular within limited circles of adolescents and youths
\naged between 14 and 22.<\/p>",
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