1997-2009: The Early Years, Blood, Sweat, and Tears

The Early Years, Blood, Sweat, and Tears

There are so many rules in the country of Indonesia.

Firstly, the government gives you laws. Secondly, your religion threatens you, with heaven and hell. Thirdly your parents ban you from doing anything cool. While at school, you are dictated to about doing the right thing, and being the right person. Even worst, music—which is supposed to be about freedom and wild imagination—presses you with oh-so many do’s and don’ts: give the people what they want, follow the trends, change your lyrics, reconstruct your look, this, that, no, yes, right, wrong, …phew.

But Superman Is Dead have never been, are not, and (I believe) won’t be like soldiers under command, or obey regulations. Bobby Kool, Eka Rock and JRX have always chosen their own paths, since day one. Some suit the rules, some don’t. And they don’t care. They dress up and drink, shout and scream, play instruments carelessly, sing pretty badly, do whatever they believe, do whatever their heart tells them to.

Yet again, in this country, it isn’t easy to be independent. To be who you are is basically to go against the nation. Meaning not much support from (mainstream) media. Not much trust from the label/music professionals. Not enough backup from the scene. The decision by the Kuta trio to do it their own way was not a wise decision—not to be a weakass Indonesian band, especially. (In case you don’t know, in the local scene, "weakass" equals "normal" or "flexible" or "market oriented"). The road had become more rockier because of the flag they flew. It’s been a long, exhausting, winding road. Blood, sweat and tears. But these three broke young men didn’t give up. They had already been in the scene far too long. The only option left was to move forward. They stepped forward. Carrying hopes and loud guitars. And beer.

Here they are today, having become the biggest punk rock band in Indonesia. Maybe the biggest band in Indonesia in the very near future. Maybe not. But that’s not the point. You should understand by now, the main point here is to stay true, to stick to what you believe in. Or in Superman Is Dead case: to stay badass.

To stay badass, bitch.