PSYCHOMEDUSA | Indonesian Webzine

The Jakarta Globe - Arian, Heavy Metal Singer

Artikel tahun 2009, maaf kalo ada yang beda.

Arian goes by the mantra: “The office makes you look older.” That’s why he prefers the stage.

As the lead singer of metal band Seringai (Sneer), this 35-year-old veteran of the Indonesian rock scene stays true to his passion — and out of a cubicle — by exploring other off-stage art forms like writing and drawing. His abilities in both mediums have garnered him plaudits from the art community and managing editor gigs at both Trax and Playboy.

When did you fall in love with heavy metal music?

My parents loved music. When I was growing up they collected records from bands like the Beach Boys, but — I don’t know why — not the Beatles. And then later, when I was a fifth grader, I got acquainted with heavy metal bands like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Slayer and many more. Since then I have kept up with heavy metal trends.

What’s your favorite band?

It’s hard to say because I appreciate good music in whatever form or genre. Whether it is under a major label or an indie label, if it’s good, it’s good. But if you twist my arm, I’d have to say my all-time favorite bands are Slayer and Prong. I still listen to their songs.

What’s an average day like for you? Do you get up around seven and get out of bed around nine? Are you partying like a rock star?

I’m not like those guys. I still have to work and pay my bills like everyone else. Every day I don’t have a gig I go to my studio where I work on artwork for my clients.

You draw, too?

Yes, I graduated from the Art and Design School at ITB [Institute of Technology in Bandung]. I have a passion for both music and drawing. I also like to write, that’s how I managed to get a job at Trax, and then Playboy Magazine, as the managing editor. But an office job is not for me, so I quit. Now people have this idea that I’m unemployed, but I don’t care. I make my own living and I am happy with it. My friends who work in offices tell me I look the same as I did when we were kids. Now they all look older than me.

You keep pretty busy with drawing, recording and playing. What’s next?

I want to hold a solo artwork exhibition. I want to produce a DVD documenting Seringai, featuring us on the road, during interviews, at gigs, random clips, everything.

Your song ‘Mengadili Persepsi (Bermain Tuhan)’ [‘Judging Perception (Playing God)’], what is it about?

It was provoked by the porn bill, but I tried to focus on right-wing people. They judge and punish people based on shallow religious knowledge. It’s not our right to judge, it’s God’s prerogative. They are similar to neo-Nazis in Europe. They’re simply stupid.

Some people say hard-core music equals drugs, booze and groupies. But that’s just a stereotype, right?

It’s a matter of packaging a product. Rock is packaged as a rebellious, fun life, but that’s not entirely true. It’s only an image that rockers have to portray. But they’re not really like that. For instance, I invited Naif to join us for a drink once, they immediately turned down my invitation, saying, “We don’t like to get drunk.” I was only inviting them to grab beers at a bar, not get wasted.

What about Ramadan, are there any gigs during the fasting month?

It’s a quiet month for gigs. Seringai normally has at least one gig a week, and sometimes we go on a mini-tour from Friday to Sunday. But this month we’re focusing on recording new songs.

Everyone envies the guys on stage. Tell us about one of your favorite moments in front of a crowd?

It was a stunt I pulled unintentionally during a gig. I jumped onto what I thought was a substage. Apparently it was a wooden board covering a speaker box from the rain. I fell and cut my face. I stood up and climbed back up onto the stage and started singing again with blood all over my face. The audience loved it.

What is your most embarrassing moment onstage?

I don’t have one. I’ve never felt embarrassed for what I’ve done on or offstage.