10 Indonesian Bands Inhabited By Brothers And Sisters, The Most Famous In Europe

/rif (Instagram @rifband.official)

JAKARTA - A band is often likened to a family by its personnel. This is because, apart from being a place to share creative ideas, bands can also be a vehicle for sadness and joy for the people involved.

In terms of playing music, each personnel also needs uniform chemistry with other personnel in order to obtain an elegant musicianship that can produce maximum work. You can imagine if in the band there are personnel who have sibling relationships. It is not impossible that the work produced will be of higher quality.

Compiled by VOI from various sources, here are 10 Indonesian bands that have siblings or blood relatives. Listen carefully...

1. Koes Plus

Formed in 1969, Koes Plus is an extension of the Koes Brothers group. Until now, Koes Plus is still active, although only Yon Koeswoyo is left in the main line-up. Since first establishing its existence in the Indonesian music industry, Koes Plus has often been regarded as the pioneer of pop and rock and roll music in the country. The series of recorded works that he has released stretches to reach 100 albums and 1000 songs covering various genres of music, from pop, rock, dangdut to Javanese and Batak folk music.

Throughout the course of his career, Koes Plus many times experienced ups and downs of formations. When they were still called Koes Brothers in the period 1960-1963, the band was fronted by brothers John Koeswoyo (upright bass), Tonny Koeswoyo (lead guitar), Yon Koeswoyo (vocals, rhythm guitar), Yok Koeswoyo (vocals, bass guitar), and Nomo. Koeswoyo (drums). And when it evolved into Koes Plus in 1968, two brothers Yok and Nomo left and were replaced by Totok Adji Rahman Murry.

A year later, Yok rejoined Koes Plus. This formation lasted until Tonny died in 1987. After that, Koes Plus continued to experience personnel changes including the joining of Tonny's sons, Damon Koeswoyo (Kidnap guitarist) and Deddy Dores in several formations.

2. PAS Band

The band, which was formed in 1990 at the University of Padjadjaran, Bandung, has two members who are related, namely guitarist Bengbeng and bassist Trisnoize. With vocalist Yukie and drummer Richard Mutter, PAS Band released the EP Four Through The Sap independently in 1993. This lineup lasted until the full albums In (No) Sensation (1995), IndieVduality (1997), and Psycho ID (1998) were produced. before Richard left.

After releasing the album When (2001) with the help of an additional drummer, PAS Band recruited Sandi Andarusman. Together with the former drummer for the band U'Camp, they produced the albums PAS 2.0 (2003), Stairway to Seventh (2004), the compilation album The BeAst of PAS (2006) and Romantic, Lies & Bleeding which spawned the hit single Aku in 2008. So far , PAS Band has not produced any more recording works.

3. Panbers

The band's name is an acronym for Pandjaitan Brothers. Formed in Surabaya in 1969 with initial personnel consisting of brothers Hans Panjaitan (guitar), Benny Panjaitan (vocals, rhythm guitar), Doan Panjaitan (bass and keyboard) and Asido Panjaitan (drums). After being left by their eldest brother, Hans, who died in 1995 due to illness, Panbers is no longer a pure brother band because it involves other musicians such as Maxi Pandelaki (bassist), Hans Noya (lead guitar), and Hendri Lamiri (violin).

The initial appearance of Panbers occurred at the 1970 Jamboree Bands at Istora Senayan, which continued on their regular appearances on TVRI bringing their own songs, such as Bye Bye, Jakarta City Sound, End of Love, Only One Season Flowers and Only Padamu. These songs brought them to the recording studio through the manager of the record company Dimita Molding Industries, Dick Tamimi - who previously produced Koes Bersaudara, Dara Puspita, and Rasela.

4. /rif

Two personnel in this band, which was formed in 1992 in Bandung, West Java; Andy (vocals) and Maggi (drums) are brothers. The two of them are not only compact on stage, but also below stage. In /rif, Andy and Magy are accompanied by Jikun (guitar), Iwan (bass), and Denny (guitar).

The band's initial name was Badai Band which later changed to RIF before in 1995 changing the writing format to /rif which means 'rhythm in freedom'. Two years later, /rif released their debut album Radja which instantly made their name skyrocket. Subsequent albums include Salami (1998), Just Enjoy (2000), and Dan the World Smiles (2002). After this album, Denny decided to leave and his position was replaced by Ovy from U'Camp.

The Best Of album was then released a year later, followed by Pil Malu in 2006. In 2012, as an affirmation of their 18th year of age /rif released an album titled 18 Years of Rock and a book called Rock N' Roll Survival Guide – Guide Entering the Music Industry with a single concert themed “Rock & Roll Circus”. Until the 28th year of their existence, Maggi and Andy are still united in maintaining the solidity of the /rif foundation.

5. The Mercy's

The Mercy's was formed in Medan in 1969 by brothers Rinto and Erwin Harahap along with three of their friends; Rizal Arsyad, Reynold Panggabean, and Iskandar. Less than a year after its establishment, the band has traveled all the way to Malaysia to perform at several nightclubs in the Penang area. Unfortunately, at that time, Iskandar chose to resign because his campus was not allowed to leave college. His position was then replaced by Charles Hutagalung.

In 1972 they decided to move to Jakarta and at the same time added a saxophonist, Albert Sumlang, to their formation. Erwin Harahap (guitar), Rinto Harahap (bass), Rizal Arsyad (rhythm guitar), Reynold Panggabean (drums), Charles Hutagalung (keyboards, organ) and Albert Sumlang (saxophone) produced the first album Volume 1 which includes a series of songs such as Nothing More, My Life Is Silent, New Clothes, For You, Love, On the Beach, Set Free, For Me, Kurela You Love, and The Story of a Maid.

6. Gypsy

Gipsy was originally named Sabda Nada, which was crewed by two brothers Joe Am Nasution (guitar) and Gauri Nasution (guitar) and Pontjo Sutowo (organ), Edi Odek (bass), and Edit (drums). The band underwent several personnel changes before finally changing their name to Gipsy in 1968. With this new name, their formation practically changed again to two brothers Gauri Nasution (guitar) and Keenan Nasution (drums) plus Chrisye (bass), Onan Soesilo (organ) and Tammy Daudsyah (saxophone, flute).

Throughout his career, Gipsy mostly brought songs belonging to foreign bands which influenced the personnel. Call it Wilson Pickett, The Equals, John Mayall & The Heartbreakers, Sam and Dave, Jimi Hendrix & The Experience, Blond, Chicago Transit Authority, The Moody Blues to King Crimson. However, they often process these songs into a unique composition full of creativity.

In 1975, Gipsy merged with Guruh Soekarno Putera to form a project called Guruh Gipsy. By blending rock music and Balinese ethnic compositions, the band produced a five-star record that was etched into their self-titled album two years later. In this album the formation of Gipsy consists of two brothers Keenan and Oding Nasution plus Christian Rahadi, Roni Harahap and Abadi Soesman.

7. Twin Group

Alex and Jacob have shown their musical talent since the age of 9 years. At that time, apart from singing, both of them were good at playing guitar, drums and piano. Entering the age of 15, they began their professional career by forming the band Jaguar with Hendra Lie, who later became known as entrepreneur and manager of God Bless. At that time, in 1971, Jaguar regularly appeared in a number of recreational areas in the Jakarta area.

Entering 1974, Alex and Jacob formed a new group called The Brothers and applied to be issued to the late Nomo Koeswoyo, who at that time served as director of the record company Yukawi. Nomo accepted the proposal, but asked them to change their name to Twin Group. With the support of musician Hengky Firmansyah, Kembar Group released their first album.

The existence of the Kembar Group is a follow-up to the success of other sister bands such as Koes Plus, Mercy's and Panbers. They don't even just keep releasing albums. Two of its personnel have also started solo careers and duets with several other musicians. Alex had a duet with Herlin Widhaswara while Jacob had collaborated with Fariz RM. On December 4, 2012 Jacob died, followed by Alex on December 18, 2014.

8. Grass Rock

This rock band from Surabaya was formed in 1984 and has won several awards at rock music festivals initiated by Log Zhelebour. The five personnel, have blood relations. Yudhi Tamtama (bass), Rere (drums) and Dayan (vocals) are brothers, while Mando Rachmat (keyboards) and Edi Kemput are cousins. However, after Dayan died in 1999, Grass Rock was practically no longer a sister band.

In 2001, Mando, Edi Kemput, Yudhi Rumput and Rere tried to come up with a new vocalist from Palembang, Hendry George. But unfortunately the music industry at that time did not side with Grass Rock. They also went on hiatus and only really returned to activity in 2009 by recruiting Hans Sinjal (vocals) and Ersta Strya Nugraha (bass) as a substitute for the ailing Yudi. Yudhi, died five years later.

To date, Grass Rock has released albums (Peterson) Anak Rembulan (1991), Crescent (1992), Santet (1994), Menembus Zaman (1999), and a split album with Boomerang and The Bandhits titled 3 To Rock. Now, with the formation of Edi Kemput (guitar), Rere Reza (drums), Zondy Kaunang (bass), Denny Irenk (keyboards) and Hans Sinjal (vocals) they are working on a new album.

9. Speaker First

The band from Bandung, Speaker First also has two brothers; guitarist duo Beny and Boni Barnady. Formed 20 years ago, the band which is also staffed by vocalist/bassist Mahattir Alkatiry has released two full-length albums; Whatever You Say (2004) and Dunia Milik Kita (2009), a mini album Muda dan Berani (2011) plus involved themselves in the compilation album for the soundtrack of the film Gie through the single titled Mr. ego.

In May 2016, this rock and roll trio held a series of London tours entitled London Reunited Tour 2016 as a sign of the resumption of their existence after disbanding in 2013. Through a program initiated by a music portal owned by an Indonesian cigarette brand, Speaker First has also become a the first Asian band to successfully set foot at the Polish Woodstock Festival. Performed on August 3, 2017, Speaker First performed around 12 songs including their two hit numbers The Anthem and Break My Soul.

10. The Tielman Brothers

Talking about a band consisting of brothers, of course it cannot be separated from the name The Tielman Brothers. In Surabaya, between 1955-1958, the forerunner of rock music emerged through a band fronted by blood relatives Andi Tielman (vocals/guitar), Reggy Tielman (guitar), Ponthon Tielman (bass), and Loulou Tielman (drums). At that time, they were already crazy about Chuck Berry songs such as Roll Over Beethoven, Madellene, and Johnny B. Good that were heard on Australian radio.

The name The Tielman Brothers is better known in Europe, especially in the Netherlands. In Benua Biru, they are seen as one of the early Indonesian rock musicians to be reckoned with. Yes, the phenomena of Andy, Reggy, Ponthon and Loulou Tielman are indeed extraordinary, on one occasion they had performed with The Beatles in Germany where at that time the organizers provided the Tielman Brothers with a hotel room while the Beatles were only given a boarding room.

Apart from the 10 bands mentioned above, there are still many Indonesian bands that are inhabited by brothers and sisters. Call it Bimbo, Yanti Brothers, Bragi, D'Masiv, Aria Yunior, Usman Brothers and most recently, The Sidhartas. Hopefully this article can be a reference for readers.