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Slank is an Indonesian rock band formed in 1983 by teenagers in an alley street in Jakarta called Gang Potlot. It is considered one of the greatest icons in the history of Indonesian popular music.

The band's initial lineup consisted of Kaka, Pay, Bongky, Indra Qadarsih and Bimbim. The band later had various lineup changes prior to the release of their debut album, Suit-Suit... He-He in 1990. The success of the album had inspired the formation of other bands, such as Dewa.

Following various conflicts in the mid-1990s, the lineup of the band once again frequently changed. Their sixth album, Lagi Sedih, or translated as Sad Again was among the most controversial among the band members. The singles "Koepoe Liarkoe" and "Tonk Kosong" have proven that Slank can still survive.

Biography[]

Early years[]

Bored of performing cover band, Bimbim (formerly drummer of Cikini Stones Complex) intend to form a new band that can play their own songs. Bimbim met Bongky Marcel, a guitarist of Rese band in a concert. Bimbim told Bongky about his plan to make a new band. Luckily, Bongky agreed to his plan. Together, they tried to recruit members for the new band. Kiki Nazir who used to play guitars with Bimbim as Rolling Stones cover band in the Cikini Stones Complex band was eager to support him. Bimbim then approach his cousin Denny Rahardjo to play bass. Four of them then approach Erwan to sing for the band.

On December 26, 1983 they partying together and announce the new band called Red Evil. The group initial line up was Erwan (vocals), Bongky Marcel (guitars), Kiki Nazir (guitars), Denny Rahardjo (bass) and Bimbim (drums). They start to play their own songs but sometimes still play cover versions of Van Halen, Rolling Stones and other popular musics in that era.

As they concerned most to play their own songs, they recklessly playing the cover versions. Their earliest fans called it, in Betawi lingo, slenge'an, which means reckless, ignorant and indifferent. Instead of being ashamed to be called that way, they were proudly announced themselve as Slank (a modification of the word slenge'an). And so, Red Evil became Slank.

With this band, these five teenagers not only played cover version numbers but began to compose their own songs and the band had an incredible stage presence.

Besides personal business, fame and money came drugs. This was reasons why the band changed formation a number of times before settling on the formation it has had now.

Bunda Iffet[]

Bunda Iffet is the name of Slank's manager. She is believed as the sixth or the stealth Slank member. She is the mother of Slank's drummer, Bimbim. She began to be Slank's manager after the recording of the sixth album Lagi Sedih. The reason of intensing communications with the drug user band member is believed to be one of the reasons of her joining in the band management. After her contribution to the band, Slank gradually break from the drug using habit.

Band members[]

Name Position(s) Years
active
Bimbim drums, percussion, backing and lead vocals, rhythm guitar 1983-present
Kaka lead and backing vocals, harmonica, tambourine, acoustic guitar, drums 1989-present
Abdee Negara lead guitar, backing vocals 1997-present
Ridho Hafiendz rhythm and lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals 1997-present
Ivanka bass, percussion, backing vocals 1997-present
Former members
Bongky Marcel guitar 1983-1987
bass, backing vocals 1989-1996
Pay Burman lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals 1098-1988, 1989-1996
Indra Qadarsih keyboards 1989-1996
Reynold lead guitar, backing vocals 1996-1997

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

  • Suit-Suit... He-He (Gadis Sexy) (1990)
  • Kampungan (1991)
  • Piss (1993)
  • Generasi Biru (1994)
  • Minoritas (1996)
  • Lagi Sedih (1997)
  • Tujuh (1998)
  • Mata Hati Reformasi (1998)
  • The 9th Album
    • 999 + 09, Vol. 1 (1999)
    • 999 + 09, Vol. 2 (1999)
  • Virus (2001)
  • Satu Satu (2003)
  • Road To Peace (2004)
  • PLUR (2004)
  • Slankissme (2006)
  • Slow But Sure (2007)
  • The Big Hip (2008)
  • Anthem For The Broken Hearted (2009)
  • Jurus Tandur No. 18 (2010)
  • I Slank U (2012)
    • I Slank U - New Album (2012)
  • Slank Naggak Ada Matinya (2013)
  • Restart Hati (2015)
  • Palalopeyank (2017)
  • Slanking Forever (2019)
  • Vaksin (2021)

Live albums[]

  • Konser Piss 30 Kota (1998)
  • Virus Road Show (2002)
  • Slank Bajakan (2003)
  • Reborn Republic Slank (2005)

Soundtrack albums[]

  • Get Married (2007)
  • Generasi Biru (2009)
  • Get Married 2 (2009)
  • Slank Party (2011)

Mini albums[]

  • I Slank U (2012)
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