There are many asses in Tangerang, Indonesia. but no trio of asses are dirtier than those belonging to garage punk band Dirty Ass. Since the high school friends in Dirty Ass bonded together over Ramones t-shirts and decided to start a band, they have released a full-length album, Distopia and have made a visual mark with several innovative music videos and a personal mark with Indonesian fans via personable lyrics and intimate live shows.
I caught up with all three members of Dirty Ass on the dawn of their new release, the five-track EP Setubuhi Dirimu Sendiri. For your reading pleasure, I asked the same questions to each, which is a bit like using the same piece of toilet paper for three different asses.
Gerry (Guitar/Vocals)
When you three were in high school, what were the conversations and plans that led to forming Dirty Ass?
It was like “I like your Ramones t-shirt, so please tell me three songs by them.” After I answered Bayu’s question, we started this shit (laughs).
Bayu and myself went to the same high school, but we started this band after we graduated. At that moment, we didn’t know how to make good music – we just put everything we liked together and recorded it. Fun fact: Bayu is not a drummer – he is a bassist. He started playing the drums when we could not find a good drummer.
What is the scene like in Tangerang?
What can I say? Tangerang has a fantastic music scene. If you want to dive into more bands from Tangerang (not at all, of course), please check out roachesrecords.bandcamp.com. It’s an independent record label owned by Bayu and myself.
You just completed your Setubuhi Dirimu Sendiri Java Tour 2023. Which city tore it up with Dirty Ass the most?
Every city makes a favorable impression. But when we visited Purworejo in Central Java (it was our first time, BTW), we played in the garage of an old house that has an old Java architecture and is hundreds of years old.The houses radiate a “powerful and mystical aura.”
As a person who likes Indonesian old architecture, especially from the colonial era, Purworejo was the answer to your question.
Your old bassist Surya resigned and was replaced by new member Gilang. What was the reasoning for this?
As I mentioned before, three of us (Bayu, Surya, and I) were from the same high school, and we recorded our first album, Irama Penendang Bokong, back in 2015. Surya is a unique person; we don’t know the real reason why he chose to quit Dirty Ass. I think he is just boring and wants to focus on his personal life.
But when Gilang came in 2018, we slowly changed our music and shaped it to be more “garage.” Gilang has a good touch with garage music, and it was the perfect match for our new concept.
Separating from Surya was an upsetting moment, but meeting Gilang has started us on a new path, and my ideas about rock and roll music have grown. Sur, you’re a jerk! (laughs).
Your new “Adu Trendi Spesimen Purba” gives the hypothetical situation of Dirty Ass disbanding and you all taking day jobs as barista, stay at home dad, full time stoner. Are these your real day jobs?
Yep, it’s my real job, Ryan. I shot the video at my office during my lunch break (laughs). In Indonesia, you must have a full-time job if your band is not that famous.
“Cemas” and “Muak” both have relatable lyrics. You are a band of the people! Are you finding that Dirty Ass listeners are attracted to this element?
I wrote the lyrics to explain the hard situations in our lives and a few of my colleagues’ POVs that I find related not just to us but to many others.
You also did a set for Pelatar Live. Where exactly is this place?
Jakarta, Ryan. It’s been one of my favorite live sets with Dirty Ass since day one.
Let’s talk about your Setubuhi Dirimu Sendiri EP. For those unaware, what does this translate to and what are some of the other topics in the new songs?
Setubuhi Dirimu Sendiri, if you translate to English, is “Fuck Yourself”, but in Bahasa, it has a different meaning if you only translate without changing the point. It’s like a game of words. I wrote these lyrics from my personal point of view about life, everything I like and don’t like, and the place where I belong.
Which band member has the dirtiest ass?
Haha, it’s mine, of course!
Last words?
We’re Dirty Fucking Ass, and we will give you rock n roll!
Gilang (Bass)
What is the scene like in Tangerang?
It’s like the scene that wakes up from the grave; Tangerang was at its peak around 2009, but it still has an unhealthy community of gate-keepers.
After Elang Terbang Kolektif (the collective that I, Bayu, Gerry, and other dudes run) formed in 2017, it became the bridge from the dead scene into a much more fun and healthy scene. Everyone and every kind of music could play in Tangerang!
You just completed your Setubuhi Dirimu Sendiri Java Tour 2023. Which city tore it up with Dirty Ass the most?
I would say it’s Kediri because we play in a total hardcore show with all the hardcore bands (except us, of course). Everyone gets wild without distinguishing that we are not a hardcore band. Some dude just got on stage and started violent dancing, and he hit Gerry’s guitar head stock, leaving a bent to the tuning machine.
Your old bassist Surya resigned and was replaced by new member Gilang. What was the reasoning for this?
All I remember is Gerry and Bayu calling me to help them fill the bass while they’re on tour, but after some rehearsal and preparation, Surya suddenly showed up the night we were going to perform. At that moment, I wondered, “Am I not going to play the bass on this tour?” But that’s okay; I still helped them document the tour along the way, but it turned out to be the last for Surya. I joined Dirty Ass right after that.
Your new “Adu Trendi Spesimen Purba” gives the hypothetical situation of Dirty Ass disbanding and you all taking day jobs as barista, stay at home dad, full time stoner. Are these your real day jobs?
No, Ryan, we are all corporate slaves (like Gerry in the video). I even work in a suit on a daily basis because I work at a business hotel.
“Cemas” and “Muak” both have relatable lyrics. You are a band of the people! Are you finding that Dirty Ass listeners are attracted to this element?
Yeah, we’re catching little things that are personal, so I guess there are people who relate and sing their lungs out to the lyrics.
You also did a set for Pelatar Live. Where exactly is this place?
It’s in Jakarta; the place is behind the big house that’s kind of scary. Pelatar’s studio is very cool and fancy, and the owner is a doctor who enjoys rock and metal music.
Let’s talk about your Setubuhi Dirimu Sendiri EP. For those unaware, what does this translate to and what are some of the other topics in the new songs?
It’s translated from “Go Fuck Yourself” explicitly. The songs are still about the personal things that Gerry wrote, but we’re trying to add more dynamic sounds and elements to them.
Which band member has the dirtiest ass?
Bayu, of course – he didn’t even flush after shitting.
Last words?
Love you, Ryan.
Bayu (Drums)
When you three were in high school, what were the conversations and plans that led to forming Dirty Ass?
That one time I asked Gerry to form a band because his band and mine were in a hiatus phase and just didn’t work.
What is the scene like in Tangerang?
The Tangerang scene is full of bands of various genres; it’s not as big as Jakarta or any capital city in Indonesia, but recently there have been a lot of new good bands come out, so I think so far so good.
Your old bassist Surya resigned and was replaced by new member Gilang. What was the reasoning for this?
I have to ask Surya about this because he’s the one who resigned.
Your new “Adu Trendi Spesimen Purba” gives the hypothetical situation of Dirty Ass disbanding and you all taking day jobs as barista, stay at home dad, full time stoner. Are these your real day jobs?
What do you think? Is it real or fake?
“Cemas” and “Muak” both have relatable lyrics. You are a band of the people! Are you finding that Dirty Ass listeners are attracted to this element?
I’m not sure what attracts our listeners the most, but the lyrics may play a significant role because they are written in Indonesian.
You also did a set for Pelatar Live. Where exactly is this place?
It’s located in Jakarta, a couple hours drive from our hometown. Cool place!
Let’s talk about your Setubuhi Dirimu Sendiri EP. For those unaware, what does this translate to and what are some of the other topics in the new songs?
It’s blatantly translated to “Fuck Yourself,” and that title is best at representing the topics in the songs.
Which band member has the dirtiest ass?
Hmm, TBH, I never thought about that. But I think we should make a YouTube video to reveal the truth in this case!
Last words?
Louder please!!!
