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Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Ahmad Band


With the downfall of Soeharto came an avalanche of changes for Indonesia. The driving force behind Dewa 19 was also swept away by the demands of reformasi in 1998 and shortly after came Ahmad Dani's first solo effort in the form of the AHMAD BAND.

The frontman says he needed to produce something of his own as his band underwent a transition in personnel. The result was "Ideolgi Sikap Otak," a collection of 11 tracks that marked a solid departure from the stadium-style ballads characteristic of Dewa's music in the late 1990s. The avid Soekarno fan dons a peci and says the image is partly an homage to the country's founding father. "I sometimes feel like he's my own father," says Dhani. "I feel some kind of connection to him."

Whether Indonesia's first president felt a need to rock out is open to debate but Dhani clearly did. ISO kicks off with three solid guitar-driven jams that reveal a grungier side of the musician not seen on previous or subsequent releases with Dewa. Dhani's talent as a guitarist and vocalist is abundantly clear on the album, which features appearances by Tere and members of Netral. Now 34, Dhani says another solo effort is in the works, possibly some time in 2006.

BIOGRAPHY

Dhani Ahmad Prasetyo
Vocals, keyboards, guitar
Place/Date of Birth
Jakarta/ May 26, 1972
Influences
Queen, Led Zeppelin, U2, Duran Duran

Andra Ramadhan
Guitar
Place/Date of Birth
Jakarta/ June 17, 1972
Influences
Dave Navarro, Scott Henderson, Pat Metheny

Pay Siburian
Guitar
Place/Date of Birth
Siantar/ May 2, 1970
Influences
Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Keith Richard, Eet Syahranie
Bonky
Bass
Bimo Sulaksono
Drums
Place/Date of Birth
Jakarta/ Desember 22, 1971

Monday, March 5, 2007