Sukatani And Punk, Three Chord Music That Becomes A Symbol Of Resistance

Sukatani and punk as resistance music (Instagram @sukatani.band)

The hashtag #KamiBersamaSukatani has spread across the country along with the freedom of expression of those castrated. The song Pay Pay Payment was withdrawn from circulation, while two of its personnel were 'forced' to apologize to the public.

This incident sparked the anger of millions of Indonesian people whose voices were represented by sharp Sukatani lyrics, the punk band from Purbalingga. Repressive behaviors as well as the dismissal of Novi, Sukatani vocalist from his profession as a teacher were criticized and voiced together.

The circulation of Sukatani actually amplifies the message of the song. Pay Pay Pay Pay, the song released in 2023, again finds new listeners who were previously unaffordable.

If in the past the song was sung by hundreds of people in small to medium-scale gigs, now Pay Pay Payment is sung as an anthem by thousands of people in various simultaneous rallies in Indonesia. Millions of people have also been exposed to this song since their freedom was crossed out.

The punk ideology that Sukatani put in her songs adds to the track record of musical works as a form of resistance. At least since the 70s in London, (despite the first punk song thought to have existed since the 50s, Jerry Lott's Love Me) punk has grown not only as a genre of music, but also an identity, lifestyle and thought.

Music is a medium to convey social problems, dissatisfaction with rulers and injustice. Anarchy in The UK or Sex Pistols' God Save The Queen, for example, is a strong protest over the social and political situation of its time.

In addition, there are also The Who, Ramones to The Clash who have contributed to popularizing punk music as a form of protest. Who would have thought, the music genre that is often only played with three chords is able to have a tremendous impact in the history of human life.

Over time, punk has also grown to various sub-genres. Starting from hardcore-punk, anarcho-punk, pop-punk to post-punk, all tied to the same ideology and freedom of expression.

Therefore, it was quite surprising when someone questioned Sukatani's extinction when their names were widely discussed on social media. In fact, the party claims to be more punk than the duo from Central Java.

Instead of chatting with the genre, it is better to unite the sound so that musicians' freedom of expression is maintained.