Old rockers meet youth idols on stage

Tertiani Z.B. Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The regular I Like Mondays event at Hard Rock Cafe in Central Jakarta last week featured a "duel" between aging, respected rock band God Bless and current teen idol group Padi.

With over 200 people on hand, some of the spectators had to be moved to next door bc bar due to limited space, which apparently was unable to accommodate them, and watched the performance on a wide screen.

The packed audience was there partly because it was the last concert before the Muslim's Ramadhan fasting month, which began on Wednesday, and partly because cafes and other entertainment spots have to be closed as stated in a gubernatorial decree.

But the main reason was their curiosity: What happens when aging hard rockers (mostly in their 40s) meet a 20-something band?

The answer was in the cheers and expressions on the face of the audience.

They cheered on Padi when the five members showed up on stage and kicked off with Sesuatu Yang Indah (Something Beautiful) in which they backed up Padi vocalist Fadly.

Either the audience were die-hard fans or because the next six songs were so familiar, easy tunes with the lyrics that say nothing more than boy-meets-girl-boy-cheats-girl-boy-leaves-girl and vice versa, because they were sure enjoying themselves.

Schoolboy-looking Fadly stood right in the middle of the stage and clutched the mike while crooning. Neat. As usual.

Padi walked out onto the stage and came along with veterans Ian Antono and Donny Fattah, the guitarist and bassist of God Bless since the group was formed in 1971, ripping the cafe with their hit Setan Tertawa (Satan Laughs), a 1975 hits.

Doubtful claps.

Fifty-something Achmad Albar sang from backstage, adding more confusion to young music listeners who are not used to wild and unpredictable lively stage acts during the era of American Hard Metal back in the 80s.

Still with good stamina (for an old hand), Achmad was roaming the stage and trying to communicate with the audience who were still in elementary school or, maybe, were just born when God Bless released their hits, of which had become the must-songs-to- sing for young rockers.

Even Fadly admitted that they were happy to be the supporting group for God Bless, "our childhood idol".

The audience soon found familiarity with the music and songs, and surprise, surprise, they were able to follow the refrains.

The first formation comprised keyboardist Jockie Suryoprayogo and drummer Teddy Sujaya. Their music style has been in constant change. Their first album titled Huma di atas Bukit (House on the hill) was released in 1975 and it was just progressive rock. Some were apparently influenced by the Genesis sound. In the next decades, they were groups like Deep Purple or Van Halen with more ballads.

The groups halted activities after the third album was released in 1990 and reformed in 1997 with their comeback Apa Kabar (How are you) album. In between, each of the members had played with different new bands.

Trio Ian, Donny and Achmad established Gong2000 which, ironically enough, broke up in 2000.

On Monday, however, helped by siblings Iwang and Inang Noor Said, who played keyboard and drums respectively, the veterans showed what their music made of.

Iwang was more than helpful. In Donny's arrangement Sesal (Remorse), God Bless' trademark of progressive rock was clearly shown.

And it was not only the music that lured the younger audience to listen.

God Bless does not talk about puppy love, but -- as other groups and singer in their era -- they are siding with the poor working class and talked about rebellious youth, street-wise young men in love with their bitter life. A portrait of reality which is still relevant now.

So, who was the winner that night? It does not really matter. The question for Padi is, will they be able to match their predecessors?