Dhani back with new Ahmad Band album

By Helly Minarti

JAKARTA (JP): In this newfound era of political change, it seems everybody has their own hero. Rock musicians are no exception.

It is reflected in the cover of Ahmad Band's debut album, Ideologi, Sikap, Otak (Ideology, Attitude, Brain). Dhani Ahmad Manaf -- the band's founder, frontman and composer -- poses in Sukarnoesque style, complete with peci (national cap) and khaki safari jacket.

"Yes, I worship him as a hero," nodded Dhani, 26. "I believe he's still the best person Indonesia ever had. If it wasn't for him, nobody could have united this country."

But Dhani added that his idolization of the country's first president should not be taken as complete support for all of his political ideas.

More earnest images are revealed as one flips through the cassette sleeve. There are patriotic poses in and out of the trademark Sukarno attire, and snapshots of contemporary political demonstrations. Even so, not all of the 11 songs are about politics; there is a repertoire of prolific themes marked by rock's thump and hump. Dhani composed all the songs, wrote almost all the lyrics and belts out the melancholic-sweet rock tunes, some soft erotic musings and, of course, the mind-boggling angry beats.

Some bands are founded as a chemistry of players, but Ahmad Band is decidedly of the one-man variety. Dhani purposely designed it as a group to serve his personal expression. "The album is indeed my solo, as planned five years ago," said Dhani, who is also the key person of pop rock band Dewa 19.

"I like to have a band which exclusively plays for me," he said of his reason for recruiting four musicians, including Andra (guitar) and Bimo (drums), bandmates from Dewa 19.

Dhani possesses versatile musical talent. He may play pop rock for Dewa 19, but he also composed and arranged juicy R&B songs for Reza. In Ahmad Band, Dhani shows all his musical preferences; it is like the extension of his musical ego.

"I'll compose the songs, sing them, arrange the music and produce it."

Jealousy does not seem to have reared its ugly head. "He is definitely far more dominant than in Dewa 19, but I'm ready for that," Andra said.

After releasing the debut album in July, Ahmad Band has managed to put at least three songs on the local pop charts -- Bidadari (Angel), Sudah (It's Over) and Aku Cinta Kau & Dia (I Love You and Her). All conform to the bittersweet melancholy reminiscent of Kangen (Longing), his hit for Dewa 19 six years ago. As for hardcore numbers, it's wait-and-see time for his fans.

"But at least I move on," the father of one said, referring to his exploration of themes outside of simple love. "I'm over 25 now, my social perception is opened, and that includes those (the erotic songs). It's natural, I don't make it up."

In two months, the album has sold about 50,000 copies. During its approximately year-long preparation, it seems it developed along with the heightened political temperature like what is reflected in Distorsi (Distortion), Interupsi (Interruption) and Ode Buat Ekstrimis (Ode for Extremists).

Has Dhani purposely tapped into the political winds of change and fanned it for his own artistic gimmicks, especially by borrowing the Sukarno image for the cover?

"No. The Sukarno thing I did before the May incident (when Soeharto resigned)," he said.

As for the music, it's all rock from top to toe. "It's my music. Rock music is rich. Dewa 19 and Ahmad are both rock, but of different types."

Now, about those harsh angry tunes.

"I've felt the impact of this monetary crisis. (I was incensed) as the price of music equipment has soared about sixfold," said Dhani, who built a music studio in a rented house in South Jakarta last year.

He chews out the political actors in the lyrics, but also shows no mercy for the sometimes skewed idealism of the younger generation. In Distorsi (Distortion), he roasts in equal parts the greedy corruptor and the critical youngsters who drown themselves in booze after making their idealistic speeches.

In a display of his music skills, he even flirts with trendy techno in Rahasia (Secrets) "only to show to those electronic musicians that I can do it, too".

Dhani may be enjoying his heyday. With Dewa 19, he just celebrated his 11th anniversary by compiling four impressive top- selling albums. He reaped more success by propelling new R&B star, Reza.

Now Ahmad Band seem to be making a modest start in the crisis. All the glory is something he acknowledges when he says "it seems like every singer now wants me to compose and/or produce their albums".

But Dhani believes -- and is prepared for the eventuality -- that his well of songwriting craftsmanship will one day dry up.

"Look at my favorite band, Queen, who produced 'kind of magic' albums. After 15 years, their magic has gone. So are all the bands I adore. Why would I be the exception?".

Until that day dawns, Dhani is devoted to making good on his once boastful vow for Ahmad Band to the hottest group in Indonesia.

"I mean it just as it sounds on stage," he said. "Just come and see." Dhani stated that in everything one does, he has to possess three things as stated in his album's title.

"My ideology in music is to make songs that many people like." Even so, he is blunt about the realities of his success. "I'm just a musician who understands the business side well."