Nostalgia comes alive at the Classic Rock Stage

By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat

JAKARTA (JP): Despite the hordes of clubs and pubs in Jakarta, one can often not help but feel subjected to a certain uniformity in atmosphere.

Thus someone with particular tastes in say 1970s rock'n roll, popularly coined by disk-jockeys as "classic rock", would probably have to first endure the annoying techno-pop and rap garble which is played in most clubs before being turned-on to a tune from the past.

Though still less than a year-old, the Classic Rock Stage has built quite a reputation for offering Jakartans a place to relax with a crowd of die-hard 1970s music fans.

Don't be mistaken, this is not a tribute to the bell-bottom and white suits of Saturday Night Fever, nor will you likely hear the "oohs" and "ahs" which catapulted Donna Summer to the 1970s reigning queen of disco.

This is more of the Eric Clapton, Deep Purple rock combined with R & B and the lighter, but unforgettable, pop tunes of Chicago, Supertramp and Earth, Wind and Fire.

Without a doubt, Classic Rock Stage is banking on its reputation to pay its bills.

Classic Rock's general manager, Chandra Ileas, told The Jakarta Post that he was aiming for the more established crowd of young professionals in Jakarta. He points to an age bracket of 35-years and above.

"There are no kids here. Everyone that comes in has gray hair already," he said, maybe to mask the few gray strands on his own head.

A quick look at the crowd on most nights of the week would reveal very few "kids" who often dominate the scene at places like the Hard Rock Cafe.

Chandra pointed out that the club shies away from jazz, Top 40 and disco music.

He insisted that while classic rock was more of an alternative at other clubs, here at the Classic Rock Stage such music was the main attraction.

Despite Chandra's assurance, the very odd time an unfamiliar tune unbefitting of the classic rock label does sneak out.

On a recent Saturday night, an unlikely dang-dut number ominously poked up in the repertoire usually reserved for cover songs from Queen.

Though it was probably done for laughs, it was quite irritating and should have been taboo for a place billing itself as a stage for classic rock.

If you are driving, the location of Classic Rock can be quite intimidating. Located on Jl. Melawai VIII No. 4A, inside the Blok M shopping arena, parking becomes a terrible concern since finding a free spot near the club can be chancy.

Parking

There is ample parking roughly a block further inside the Blok M area but in rather secluded spots notorious for preman (hoodlums).

But in all fairness, public parking at night in most public places in Jakarta can be risky business.

The unlikely location is further punctuated because that particular strip in Blok M is dominated by Japanese restaurants.

When asked whether he thought the location was a drawback, Chandra quickly retorted that the club might be surrounded by Japanese restaurants but you hardly ever find a Japanese man inside the Classic Rock Stage. This of course does not mean to imply that Japan does not have classic rock fans.

Unless you expect dining to be haute cuisine, eating here won't be disappointing.

A fun meal to try is a squid dish called "I Squid the Sheriff", a take-off of the Bob Marley hit.

With salads and other medium entrees averaging at Rp 6,000 (US$2.7) and steaks at Rp 20,000, though some are less, the meals are pretty good value for your money.

Classic Rock may not have the widest selection of exotic alcoholic beverages but it is sufficient to satisfy most tastes.

What's more, Classic Rock gives relatively more "bang for a buck" compared to other drinking holes in the city.

A draught beer costs a reasonable Rp 6,000 with imported beers going for Rp 9,000 and spirits between Rp 6,000 to Rp 9,000 a shot.

If you are up to it, Classic Rock's cocktails at Rp 15,000 a glass can enlighten your taste buds. Check out the tangy taste of their Fallen Angel, a mixture of advocate, cherry brandy and lemonade.

The kitchen is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to about midnight with happy hour lasting from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Music

Classic Rock owes much of its reputation for good music and is why people go there is to see a good live gig with a group of friends with similar tastes.

Between Sunday and Tuesday there is no cover charge, but on other nights a Rp 10,000 charge, which includes one free drink, is applied.

Service is alert, courteous and ever ready to fill the free helping of chips at your table. The waiters are also friendly enough without being obtrusive like at other "rock" cafes where the waiters actually pull-up a chair at your table to take the order.

Due to the very fact that people come because of the music, the atmosphere depends very much on the band of the night.

This month, on Monday, Thursday and Friday, R & B and a mixture of other classic tunes will be featured.

Saturday is predominantly Queen songs while Sunday is Reggae night.

The best nights are probably Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday an accomplished cover band called Yeah-Yeah Boys are on stage doing a variety of 1970s pop-rock and blues tunes.

But the stage and audience explodes with enthusiasm a bit later on when one of Indonesia's most legendary rock performers, Arthur Kaunang, joins in with his renditions of classic tunes.

Wednesday night with Acid Speed is also attractive especially for Rolling Stones fans.

Overall Classic Rock has a good line-up throughout the week starting from around 10:00 p.m. and playing, with brief intervals, right through until 1:30 a.m.

However as with most bands doing cover tunes, it can be a "hit or miss" affair and when they become painful imitations.

Though sounding very decent, Saturday night somewhat fails to capture the magic of the Queen hits which have become anthems to many.

Minor warts aside, Classic Rock should satisfy Jakarta's hunger for some wild rock'n roll in a non-chaotic atmosphere.