On the record: The Upstairs

Artist : The Upstairs
Album : Matraman (Sirkus Record)

The Upstairs has been generating quite a buzz for a while now, not just on the local indie scene, but in the mainstream too.

This is because the four lads' out-of-space synthesizer-laced rock, with tongue-in-cheek words, glam costumes and outrageous stage acts, makes them fun.

After appearing on last year's Jkt: Skrg, a compilation record filled with singles from top recent indie bands, The Upstairs, now on their own, feature nine tracks filled with beats inspired from the likes of 80s new wave bands like the Thompson Twins, Ultra Vox and early Depeche Mode.

Despite repetitive beats and vocalist Jimi Multhazam's flat, cyborg-like voice, the sound is far from boring. Instead it never fails to get you up and dance.

Take heed of the lyrics if you know Bahasa Indonesia, cause they are ludicrous and absurd, like Am I in Mars or have they just invited Martians?. The title refers to an area with frequent neighborhood brawls in Central Jakarta, and they also tell us about a comical love story that occurred in that neighborhood.

This album fills a void and gives people an alternative to the dull mainstream local rock scene. -- Hera Diani