Nostalgia comes alive at the Classic Rock Stage
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.