Punk and the city: A history of punk in Bandung

Frans Ari Prasetyo

doi:10.1386/punk.6.2.189_1

Abstract

Punk in Indonesia has often been described as a spectacular performance of disorder and resistance, a youthful style that posed a disruptive challenge to the authoritarian hierarchy and discipline of the New Order regime. The punk scene in Bandung has developed in the context of what is often referred to as ‘post-authoritarian’ Indonesia. Punk gives another historical narrative of the development of urban communities, and, while remaining a minority, is highly visible among urban Indonesian youth lifestyles. This article describes the history of punk’s growth and development in Bandung, traced through its relationship to space and place, and through the variety of artefacts it produces such as zines, cassettes and posters. This production and consumption is informed by punk’s traditional DIY ethos, and forms the basis for transnational cultural and political relationships.

Highlights

Bandung is the capital of the West Java Province and is located about 140km from the country’s capital, Jakarta
The Bandung underground scene targeted the Indonesian state as a local manifestation of global capitalism (Pickles 2001)
If creative action is to be revolutionary, it must relate to and act on the larger social structures in which it is embedded. Punk gives another historical narrative of the development of urban communities in Bandung

Summary

Introduction

Bandung is the capital of the West Java Province and is located about 140km from the country’s capital, Jakarta. This article draws on the ‘scene history’ of underground punk in Bandung, traced through gig venues, major events, hangout spaces, political communities, music commodities and zines, and weaves it into the history of urban youth culture in the city, reflecting its Indonesian and global context.

Results

Conclusion