Skip to content
1981
Volume 9, Issue 2
  • ISSN: 2052-3998
  • E-ISSN: 2052-4005

Abstract

Social segregation in Bandung, Indonesia, is the primary cause of stratification of youths in the city’s northern, southern and eastern regions. As a region filled with colonial legacy and inhabited by the upper-middle class, northern Bandung is equipped with infrastructures for youth activities. Southern and eastern Bandung, on the other hand, carries an image of rather undeveloped regions. This social, political and economic background has prompted Bandung youths to compete among each other, specifically in terms of expressing their identity through music. In particular, youths from Ujung Berung express their identity through metal music due to the genre’s perceived capability of conveying youth aspirations, marginality and identity expression in public space. Through djent and headbanging, these youths held onto a do-it-yourself (DIY) ethos to fight against political and capital-related power. Nonetheless, as the movement developed, these youths failed to compete with the capital of major record labels. With these issues as a background, this article aims to examine the youths’ rally against the power of politics and capital. We assume that their resistance against the contestation of identity space in 2010–22 Bandung consists of four layers. Based on the data we gathered during observation, we argue that the youths’ resistance was rather a pseudo act which granted them mobility to a higher social status. This article is a result of a six-month qualitative research project conducted from June to November 2022 in Bandung. The data were gathered from various relevant sources, including books, articles, media social news coverage and other internet sources. In addition, twelve informants actively involved in the Bandung metal scene were interviewed. A cultural studies approach was taken during the whole process of observation and analysis of the aforementioned data and phenomena.

Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • Universitas Indonesia (Award PUTI)
© 2023 Intellect Ltd
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1386/mms_00107_1
2023-09-01
2026-04-22

Metrics

Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Andrew, Teguh Vicky,, Sihombing, Riama Maslan, and Ahmad, Hafiz Aziz. ( 2017;), ‘ Musik, media, dan karya: Perkembangan infrastruktur musik bawah tanah (underground) di Bandung 1967–1997. ’, Patanjala: Jurnal Penelitian Sejarah dan Budaya, 9:2, pp. 293–308, https://doi.org/10.30959/patanjala.
     [Google Scholar]
  2. Andrews, Ben, and Bennett, Pete. ( 2015;), ‘ No direction home: “The Home of Metal” and unreconstructed and unaccommodated man. ’, Metal Music Studies, 1:2, pp. 197–210.
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Barker, Chris. ( 2002), Making Sense of Cultural Studies: Central Problems and Critical Debates, Thousand Oaks, CA:: Sage Publications;.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Baulch, Emma. ( 2002;), ‘ Alternative music and mediation in late New Order Indonesia. ’, Inter-Asia Cultural Studies, 3:2, pp. 219–34, https://doi.org/10.1080/1464937022000000138.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Baulch, Emma. ( 2003;), ‘ Gesturing elsewhere: The identity politics of the Balinese death/thrash metal scene. ’, Popular Music, 22:2, pp. 195–215, https://doi.org/10.1017/S026114300300312X.
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Bennett, Andy, and Peterson, Richard A.. (eds) ( 2004), Music Scenes: Local, Translocal and Virtual, Nashville, TN:: Vanderbilt University Press;.
     [Google Scholar]
  7. Bennett, Andy,, Peterson, Richard A., and Kahn-Harris, Keith. ( 2011;), ‘ The post-subcultural turn: Some reflections 10 years on. ’, Journal of Youth Studies, 14:5, pp. 493–506.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Bennett, Andy,, Peterson, Richard A., and Kahn-Harris, Keith. (eds) ( 2004), After Subculture: Critical Studies in Contemporary Youth Culture, London:: Palgrave;.
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Berger, Harris M., and Carroll, Michael Thomas. (eds) ( 2003), Global Pop, Local Language, Jackson, MS:: University Press of Mississippi;.
     [Google Scholar]
  10. Bolt, Pearson. ( 2016;), ‘ Don’t let the world rot: Anarchism, hardcore music, and counterculture. ’, master’s thesis, Orlando, FL:: University of Central Florida Libraries.
     [Google Scholar]
  11. BPS ( 2020), Penduduk Menurut Kelompok Umur dan Jenis Kelamin, Jakarta:: Badan Pusat Statistik;, https://sp2010.bps.go.id/index.php/site/tabel?tid=336&wid=0. Accessed 20 November 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Brown, Andy R.. ( 2018;), ‘ A manifesto for metal studies: Or putting the “Politics of Metal” in its place. ’, Metal Music Studies, 4:2, pp. 343–63, https://doi.org/10.1386/mms.4.2.343_1.
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Brown, Andy R.,, Spracklen, Karl,, Kahn-Harris, Keith, and Scott, Niall W. R.. (eds) ( 2016), Global Metal Music and Culture Current Directions in Metal Studies, New York and London:: Routledge;.
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Budiman, Hary Ganjar. ( 2014;), ‘ Perkembangan zine di Bandung: Media informasi komunitas musik bawahtanah (1995–2012). ’, Patanjala: Jurnal Penelitian Sejarah Dan Budaya, 6:1, pp. 93–108, https://doi.org/10.30959/patanjala.v6i1.189.
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Clinton, Esther, and Wallach, Jeremy. ( 2015;), ‘ Recoloring the metal map: Metal and race in global perspective modern heavy metal: Market, practices and cultures. ’, in T.-M. Karjalainen, and K. Kärki. (eds), Modern Heavy Metal: Markets, Practices and Cultures: International Academic Research Conference, Helsinki, Finland, 8–12 June, Helsinki and Turku:: Aalto University and International Institute for Popular Culture;, pp. 274–82.
     [Google Scholar]
  16. Daryana, Hinhin Agung,, Priyatna, Aquarini, and Mulyadi, Raden Muhamad. ( 2020;), ‘ The new metal men: Exploring model of alternative masculinity in the Bandung metal scene. ’, Masculinities and Social Change, 9:2, pp. 148–73, https://doi.org/10.17583/MCS.2020.5020.
     [Google Scholar]
  17. Dunn, Samuel. ( 2005), Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey, Canada:: Banger Productions;.
     [Google Scholar]
  18. Dunn, Samuel. ( 2007), Global Metal, Canada:: Banger’s Film Inc;.
     [Google Scholar]
  19. Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives ( 2002;), ‘ Browse bands by country: Indonesia. ’, https://www.metal-archives.com/lists/ID. Accessed 9 October 2022.
  20. Friedman, Jonathan C.. (ed.) ( 2013), The Routledge History of Social Protest in Popular Music, New York:: Routledge;.
     [Google Scholar]
  21. Guerra, Paula, and Moreira, Tânia. (eds) ( 2015), Keep It Simple, Make It Fast! An Approach to Underground Music Scenes, Porto:: Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Letras (University of Porto, Faculty of Arts and Humanities);.
     [Google Scholar]
  22. Hall, Stuart. ( 1997;), ‘ The work of representation. ’, in S. Hall. (ed.), Representation: Cultural Representation and Signifying Practices, London:: Sage;, pp. 15–71.
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Heryanto, Ariel. (ed.) ( 2008), Popular Culture in Indonesia: Fluid Identities in Post-Authoritarian Politics, New York:: Routledge;.
     [Google Scholar]
  24. Hesmondhalgh, David. ( 2005;), ‘ Subcultures, scenes or tribes? None of the above. ’, Journal of Youth Studies, 8:1, pp. 21–40.
     [Google Scholar]
  25. Hesmondhalgh, David. ( 2015;), ‘ Indie: The institutional politics and aesthetics of a popular music genre. ’, Cultural Studies, 13:1, pp. 37–41.
     [Google Scholar]
  26. Hjelm, Titus,, Kahn-Harris, Keith, and LeVine, Mark. ( 2011;), ‘ Heavy metal as controversy and counterculture. ’, Popular Music History, 6:1&2, pp. 5–18, https://doi.org/10.1558/pomh.v6i1/2.5.
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Irfanpopish ( 2019), Bandung Pop Darling: Catatan Dua Dekade Skena Indie Pop Bandung, 1995–2015, Yogyakarta:: EA Book;.
     [Google Scholar]
  28. James, Kieran, and Walsh, Rex. ( 2015;), ‘ Bandung rocks, Cibinong shakes: Economics and applied ethics within the Indonesian death-metal community. ’, Musicology Australia, 37:1, pp. 28–46, https://doi.org/10.1080/08145857.2015.1021438.
     [Google Scholar]
  29. James, Kieran, and Walsh, Rex. ( 2019;), ‘ Religion and heavy metal music in Indonesia. ’, Popular Music, 38:2, pp. 276–97.
     [Google Scholar]
  30. James, Kieran, and Walsh, Rex. ( 2022;), ‘ Masculinity and underground music scene participation across time: A case study from Indonesia. ’, Metal Music Studies, 8:1, pp. 29–46.
     [Google Scholar]
  31. Jasad, Man. ( 2022), personal interview with authors.
  32. Jones, Ellis. ( 2021a;), ‘ DIY and popular music: Mapping an ambivalent relationship across three historical case studies. ’, Popular Music and Society, 44:1, pp. 60–78, https://doi.org/10.1080/03007766.2019.1671112.
     [Google Scholar]
  33. Jones, Ellis. ( 2021b), DIY Music and the Politics of Social Media, New York:: Bloomsbury Academic, Bloomsbury Publishing Inc;.
     [Google Scholar]
  34. Jones, Michael L.. ( 2012), The Music Industries: From Conception to Consumption, New York:: Palgrave Macmillan;.
     [Google Scholar]
  35. Kahn-Harris, Keith. ( 2000;), ‘ “Roots”?: The relationship between the global and the local within the extreme metal scene. ’, Popular Music, 19:1, pp. 13–30, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261143000000052.
     [Google Scholar]
  36. Kahn-Harris, Keith. ( 2007), Extreme Metal Music and Culture on the Edge, London:: Berg;.
     [Google Scholar]
  37. Kim, Yujin. ( 2017;), ‘ Making “creative” movement: Transformation of urban culture and politics in Bandung, Indonesia. ’, Geographical Review of Japan Series B, 90:1, pp. 17–25, https://doi.org/10.4157/geogrevjapanb.90.17.
     [Google Scholar]
  38. Kimung ( 2012), Ujung Berung Rebel: Panca Dina Galur, Bandung:: Minor Book;.
     [Google Scholar]
  39. Lukisworo, Agustinus Aryo, and Sutopo, Oki Rahadianto. ( 2017;), ‘ Metal DIY: Dominasi, strategi, dan resistensi. ’, Jurnal Studi Pemuda, 6:2, pp. 578–89.
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Luvaas, Brent. ( 2009;), ‘ The Indie takeover: Independent record labels give the majors a run for their money. ’, Inside Indonesia, 18 January, http://www.insideindonesia.org/the-indie-takeover?highlight=WyJsdXZhYXMiXQ%3D%3D. Accessed 5 July 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  41. Luvaas, Brent. ( 2012), DIY Style: Fashion, Music and Global Digital Cultures, London:: Berg;.
     [Google Scholar]
  42. Martin-Iverson, Sean. ( 2007;), ‘ Community and critique: Political performance in the Bandung DIY harcore scene. ’, in Music on the Edge: IASPM Australia/New Zealand Conference, Turku: International Association for the Study of Popular Music, pp. 113–19.
     [Google Scholar]
  43. Martin-Iverson, Sean. ( 2008;), ‘ “C’mon commodify us!”: Commodity fetishism and resistant practice in the Bandung DIY hardcore scene. ’, in U. M. Rodrigues, and B. Smaill. (eds), Youth, Media, and Culture in the Asia Pacific Region, Newcastle:: Cambridge Scholars Publishing;, pp. 177–94.
     [Google Scholar]
  44. Martin-Iverson, Sean. ( 2011;), ‘ The politics of cultural production in the DIY hardcore scene in Bandung, Indonesia. ’, dissertation, Perth:: University of Western Australia.
     [Google Scholar]
  45. Martin-Iverson, Sean. ( 2012;), ‘ Autonomous youth? Independence and precariousness in the Indonesian underground music scene. ’, The Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology, 13:4, pp. 382–97, https://doi.org/10.1080/14442213.2011.636062.
     [Google Scholar]
  46. Martin-Iverson, Sean. ( 2014;), ‘ Bandung Lautan hardcore: Territorialisation and deterritorialisation in an Indonesian hardcore punk scene. ’, Inter-Asia Cultural Studies Journal, 15:4, pp. 532–52, https://doi.org/10.1080/14649373.2014.972636.
     [Google Scholar]
  47. Martin-Iverson, Sean. ( 2020;), ‘ The value of the underground: Punk, politics, and creative urbanism in Bandung, Indonesia. ’, Cultural Studies, 35:1, pp. 110–35, https://doi.org/10.1080/09502386.2020.1844261.
     [Google Scholar]
  48. Moore, Rebekah E.. ( 2005;), ‘ Alternative to what? Subcultural capital and the commercialization of a music scene. ’, Deviant Behavior Journal, 26:3, pp. 229–52.
     [Google Scholar]
  49. Moran, Ian P.. ( 2010;), ‘ Punk: The do-it-yourself subculture. ’, Social Sciences Journal, 10:1, pp. 57–65.
     [Google Scholar]
  50. Mulyadi, Muhamad. ( 2009), Industri Musik Indonesia, Suatu Sejarah, Bekasi:: Koperasi IPS;.
     [Google Scholar]
  51. O’Connor, Alan. ( 2002;), ‘ Local scenes and dangerous crossroads: Punk and theories of cultural hybridity. ’, Popular Music, 21:2, pp. 225–36.
     [Google Scholar]
  52. O’Connor, Alan. ( 2008), Punk Record Labels and the Struggle for Autonomy: The Emergence of DIY, Lanham, MD:: Lexington Books;.
     [Google Scholar]
  53. Pegrianto, Adityo. ( 2018), Rekah: Rekam Jejak Subkultur Indie di Indonesia 1994–2003, Yogjakarta:: Dialog Pustaka;.
     [Google Scholar]
  54. Pickles, Joanna. ( 2001;), ‘ Of purple hair and protest: Beyond spectacular style, Bandung’s punks in collective action. ’, honors thesis, Canberra:: Australian National University.
     [Google Scholar]
  55. Pickles, Joanna. ( 2007;), ‘ Punk, pop and protest: The Birth and decline of political punk in Bandung. ’, RIMA: Review of Indonesian and Malaysian Affairs, 41:2, pp. 223–46.
     [Google Scholar]
  56. Prasetyo, Frans Ari. ( 2017;), ‘ Punk and the city: A history of punk in Bandung. ’, Punk & Post-Punk, 6:2, pp. 189–211, https://doi.org/10.1386/punk.6.2.189_1.
     [Google Scholar]
  57. Purcell, Natalie J.. ( 2003), Death Metal Music: The Passion and Politics of a Subculture, Jefferson, NC:: McFarland & Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  58. Putra, F. Ferdhi. ( 2017;), ‘ Salam Satu Jari: Politik “Ruang” skena musik underground. ’, in I. R. Irfan. (ed.), Lanskap: Mosaik Musik dalam Masyarakat, Yogyakarta:: Yayasan Kajian Musik Laras;, pp. 1–20.
     [Google Scholar]
  59. Resmadi, Idhar. ( 2018), Music Record Indie Label, Bandung:: Bitread Digital Publishing;.
     [Google Scholar]
  60. Saefullah, Hikmawan. ( 2022;), ‘ Transformation of youth resistance: Underground music scene and Islamic politic in post-authoritarian Indonesia. ’, Ph.D. thesis, Perth:: Asia Research Centre, Murdoch University.
     [Google Scholar]
  61. Sedyawati, Edi. (ed.) ( 2004;), ‘ Potret Potensi Industri Budaya di Indonesia: Sistem Produksi Sinetron dan Album Musik. ’, in Kerjasama PPKB UI dan PPKNB Kementrian Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata, Depok:: Kampus UI;.
     [Google Scholar]
  62. Sen, Krishna, and Hill, David T.. ( 2006), Media, Culture and Politics in Indonesia, Jakarta:: Equinox Publishing;.
     [Google Scholar]
  63. Sepulveda, Christine De Falco. ( 2015;), ‘ A new generation of hippies? An ethnographic and ethnomusicological study of a 21st century American counterculture music community. ’, Ph.D. thesis, Auckland:: The University of Auckland Department of Anthropology.
     [Google Scholar]
  64. Smialek, Eric T.. ( 2015;), ‘ Genre and expression in extreme metal music, ca. 1990–2015. ’, Ph.D. dissertation, Montréal:: Schulich School of Music, McGill University.
     [Google Scholar]
  65. Spracklen, Karl,, Brown, Andy R., and Kahn-Harris, Keith. (eds) ( 2011;), ‘ Metal studies? Cultural research in the heavy metal scene. ’, Journal for Cultural Research, 15:3, pp. 209–12.
     [Google Scholar]
  66. Sumrahadi, Abdullah. ( 2017), Ekonomi Politik Music Rock, Refleksi Kritis Gaya Hidup, Jakarta:: LP3ES;.
     [Google Scholar]
  67. Sutopo, Oki Rahadianto. ( 2016;), ‘ Pemuda dan resistensi: Sebuah refleksi kritis. ’, Jurnal Studi Pemuda, 5:2, n.pag., https://doi.org/10.22146/studipemudaugm.37954.
     [Google Scholar]
  68. Tayyiba, Mira,, Sungkari, Harry, and Mintarga, Paulus. ( 2017), Buku Putih Kota Kreatif: Ekosistim yang Mencipta, Bandung:: Bekraf and ICCN;.
     [Google Scholar]
  69. Theodore, K. S.. ( 2013), Rock n Roll: Industri Musik Indonesia Dari Analog ke Digital, Jakarta:: Kompas;.
     [Google Scholar]
  70. Unger, Matthew P.. ( 2016), Sound, Symbol, Sociality: The Aesthetic Experience of Extreme Metal Music, London:: Macmillan Publishers Ltd;.
     [Google Scholar]
  71. Uttu ( 2006;), ‘ Distro: Independent fashion moves from margins to mainstream. ’, Inside Indonesia, 85, http://www.insideindonesia.org/feature-editions/distro. Accessed 17 July 2023.
     [Google Scholar]
  72. Wallach, Jeremy. ( 2003;), ‘ “Goodbye My Blind Majesty”: Music, language, and politics in the Indonesian underground. ’, in H. M. Berger, and M. T. Carrol. (eds), Global Pop, Local Language, Jackson, MS:: University Press of Mississippi;, pp. 53–86.
     [Google Scholar]
  73. Wallach, Jeremy. ( 2005;), ‘ Underground rock music and democratization in Indonesia. ’, World Literature Today, 79:3&4, pp. 16–20, https://doi.org/10.2307/40158922.
     [Google Scholar]
  74. Wallach, Jeremy. ( 2008), Modern Noise, Fluid Genre: Popular Music in Indonesia 1997–2001, Madison, WI:: The University of Wisconsin Press;.
     [Google Scholar]
  75. Wallach, Jeremy. ( 2014;), ‘ Indie globalization and the triumph of punk in Indonesia. ’, in B. Lashua,, K. Sparcklen, and S. Wagg. (eds), Sounds and the City: Popular Music, Place and Globalization, Basingstoke:: Palgrave Macmillan;, pp. 148–61.
     [Google Scholar]
  76. Wallach, Jeremy,, Berger, Harris M., and Greene, Paul D.. (eds) ( 2010), Metal Rules the Globe: Heavy Metal Music around the World, Durham, NC:: Duke University Press;, pp. 161–79.
     [Google Scholar]
  77. Wallach, Jeremy, and Levine, Alexandra. ( 2012;), ‘ “I want you to support local metal”: A theory of metal scene formation. ’, Popular Music History, 6:1, pp. 116–34, https://doi.org/10.1558/pomh.v6i1/2.116.
     [Google Scholar]
  78. Weinstein, Deena. ( 2000), Heavy Metal: The Music and Its Subcultures, Cambridge, MA:: Da Capo Press;.
     [Google Scholar]
  79. Weinstein, Deena. ( 2011;), ‘ The globalization of metal. ’, in J. Wallach,, H. Berger, and P. D. Greene. (eds), Metal Rules the Globe: Heavy Metal Music around the World, Durham, NC:: Duke University Press;, pp. 34–59.
     [Google Scholar]
  80. Yamani, Zaki. ( 2018;), ‘ Bandung: Kota dengan Wajah Kolonialisme. ’, DWnesia , 25 September, https://www.dw.com/id/bandung-si-kota-kembang-dengan-wajah-kolonialisme/a-44565819. Accessed 14 October 2022.
/content/journals/10.1386/mms_00107_1
Loading
  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): four layers of struggle; Indonesia; metal movement; metal music; segregation; youth culture

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a success
Invalid data
An error occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test