Pay Called Formation 13 Slank Reunion Opportunities Still Open

Indra Q, Bongky, and Pay (Instagram @ 31f_official)

JAKARTA - Pay Burman, a former Slank Formation 13 (F13) guitarist, revealed important news that made Slankers (as Slank fans) really happy. This reliable guitarist who has magical playing skills said that the Slank F13 reunion is still possible.

In a casual chat on the YouTube channel Jenderal Maya Pay which was also broadcast on Papank Thetambel's Facebook Live, Friday night, February 21, Pay explained that the 31F concert was only the beginning of their big plan.

"This 31F is just the first step. One day the tit for tat, at the end it will become F13. Yes, I hope so. I still hope so," said Pay.

"But for sure all of us here have good intentions. The intention is positive," Pay continued regarding the 31F concert plan.

The guitarist, who also works as a producer, added that 31F started from the F13 plan, which seemed only to be a discourse. Because it still took time for Slank and his three former personnel to realize the reunion, Pay et al decided to create the 31F project.

"At first I didn't want to be amazed by Bongky, lazy to repeat myself again. But once (our plan) is uploaded on social media they (fans) are really excited. Being a momentum in their lives, that's a responsibility for us too. The sounds produced by Indra, Bongky, I have turned out to be a signature they have not been able to forget, "explained Dewiq's ex-husband.

Pay, Indra, and Bongky feel they have a big responsibility to their fans, because there are still many songs that haven't had time to be performed on stage when they were still joining Slank. But who would have thought, Pay also has concerns. What is that?

"My biggest fear is that if I get to F13, I won't be able to play those songs (albums 1-5) anymore," he said with a chuckle. That's why Pay doesn't dismiss the fact that he is back to exploring what he was playing for the sake of the 31F concert.

Music observer who is also the former editor-in-chief of GitarPlus magazine Mudya Mustamin said, if the 31F concert really happened then it would be cool because it would bring back old memories of fans. Especially guitar lovers.

"Moreover, Pay seems to be playing (guitar solo of old Slank songs) according to the original. Just heated, not stirred again," said Mudya in a discussion on the music journalist WhatsApp Group.

The philosophy of the name 31F

Indra Qadarsih - that's his full name - for the first time getting together with Bongky and Pay since the 31F concert plan erupted two weeks ago. This musician who is known for his distinctive keyboard sounds reveals the philosophy of the name 31F and how this concert is a challenge for him.

Indra said that, like an angkot, 31F is a different route from F13, which was often echoed before.

"Initially it was from F13. But it was a reunion project. If 31F is different. But the funny thing is that the reverse is true. 31F ... 3 (Bongky), 1 (Indra), F (ay)," Indra gave an explanation which seemed to force him to connecting the name Pay to the name 31F which was then greeted by laughter from his colleagues.

"Then there's more, 31F means 'Not Indra Fay', so just Bongky," Indra joked again. "But 31F can also be Three-One Formation because it's only three of us, if F13 is a reunion, the five of us are different. We'll change public transportation."

Whether coincidence or not, the number 31 in the name 31F also marks 31 years of friendship between Indra, Pay, and Bongky. So, 31F can also have meaning; 31th Friendship.

The son of the late actress Titi Qadarsih also revealed that the 31F concert was a new challenge because he had to play back songs that he had not played for a long time.

"When I heard (Slank's old songs) again, it was not that easy. It turned out that the previous one (I played) was difficult. I realized that I used to play really hard," said Indra Q, who was greeted by laughter again.

Indra also emphasized that BIP and 31F are two different projects. For this reason, they have asked permission from the vocalist of BIP, Ipang Blue when planning this concert. According to what Bongky said to VOI some time ago, Indra also confirmed that they had received permission from Slank, in this case Bimbim, to present Slank's songs from the album 1-5.

"We've asked for permission from Ipang and also asked for permission from Slank (Bimbim). This is his brother (pointing at Massto Sidharta)," continued Indra.

"Here (Massto) is the witness," Pay added.

As previously reported, three former Slank F13 personnel; Bongky, Indra Q, and Pay will hold a concert with a report taken from Slank's first five albums: Suit ... Suit ... He ... He (Sexy Girl) (1990), Kampungan (1991), Piss (1993) , Generation Blue (1994), and Minorities (1996). In this concert they hooked up two guest drummers; Massto Sidharta and Adi Lawido (Tony Q), an additional guitarist for Uji Cozy Republic and a number of vocalists who have not been disclosed.

"We probably won't mention the vocalists first. But what is certain is a lot. At least there are three (vocalists), maybe five (vocalists). At least there is one woman in it," Pay said.

Meanwhile, Bongky emphasized that for the time being the concert would be opened with two points in the western and eastern parts of Indonesia. After that, they will hold a tour around Indonesia. But again, there are no details about the timing of these concerts. So, the old Slanker was asked to be patient by continuing to monitor the progress of the 31F concert at VOI.