Molenvliet is a small band that formed in November 11th, 1998. ‘Molenvliet’ was a Street name of Jalan Gajah Mada, Jakarta at the Netherlands Colonialism Era. Using a name such icon of netherland’s colonialism that taken from the book of “Djakarta Tempo Doeloe†is not reflect band’s pride about colonialism, except for its uniqness. Beside, part of band personnels live in this area which recently known as black zone. Fortunely, some people though ‘Molenvliet’ is so difficult to mention and hard to remember. That’s why they speaks Molenvliet with different pronouns. Bad sign?
With early formation by Yudha (Vocal/Guitar), Eko (Bass), Roffal (Drums), and Chandra (keyboard), Molenvliet have commited to play British Rock bands in various of scene indies and underground, stage of school art and campus, music festival, and also urban party. In 1999, Chandra has recruited his classmates in university, Ary (Vocal) and Ano (Lead Guitar). When Ary accidentally sung a song, the band didn’t know that he had brightly vocal character. Started with it, the band decide him as vocalist, when he was previously as guitarist. Different character and music background of each personnel is a reason why Molenvliet reflect its music to indie-rock, synthpop, post punk, glamrock, and experimental with simply, dark, and energetic consept.
In 2000, before compilation of local indie band that tittled “Untouchable : All Tomorrow Parties†had released, Roffal left the band and his position replaced by Rizal, one of old closed friend. Continue in 2004, Molenvliet has launched they self release project namely mini album (EP) The Undercover. During the year as referred, besides came up in some gigs, Molenvliet ever reviewed in some locals underground webzine and other popular media. Even in the year that return the popularity of “punk discoâ€, Molenvliet has chosen to come up in gig “British Goldmine : Salute Concert to Britpop Heroes†for “share†as Pulp. Though shy at conceived of specialist tribute, Molenvliet also ever came ups full of cover songs Rialto in gig “British Icon†and also David Bowie in "Discollapse : Tribute to New Wave" as the influential tribute concert in that time.
Molenvliet’s on-air debut was succeded by MTV on Sky (recently known as TraxFM) which broadcasts them lively performance on “MTV Chill Out†in February 4th, 2005. Time runs, Time runs, Eko left the band and decide as the state government officer and its position is replaced by Andri, a rude boy in punk revival band genre.
In 9 Aprils 2006, Molenvliet has launched their full lenght maiden album "Night & Day" in Betawi Cafe, Jl Jaksa, Jakarta that also was inauguration of Ochad as Lead Guitar replace Ano position that retire because its job. Now, after the album had referred good enough greeting by indie scene, Molenvliet in November 11th, 2007 has launched their second album that named “Ladies and Fellows†by Phantom Records (indie).
================================================
Molenvliet adalah sebuah band kecil yang terbentuk 11 November 1998. Konon, ‘Molenvliet’ adalah nama Jalan Gajah Mada, Jakarta pada era kolonialisme Belanda. Pengambilan nama produk kolonialisme Belanda yang disadur dari buku “Djakarta Tempo Doeloe†ini tidaklah merefleksikan kecintaan band terhadap era kompeni tersebut melainkan karena keunikannya, disamping sebagian besar personil tinggal di daerah yang kini masuk dalam zona hitam tersebut. Sayangnya, banyak yg menilai nama ‘Molenvliet’ cukup sulit dilafalkan dan dihafalkan. Tak heran, kebanyakan orang yang menyebut Molenvliet dengan pronouns yang berbeda. Pertanda buruk?
Dengan formasi awal Yudha (Vocal/Guitar), Eko (Bass), Roffal (Drums), dan Chandra (Keyboard), Molenvliet sepakat meng-cover band-band British di berbagai scene indie dan underground, pentas seni sekolah dan kampus, musik festival, dan juga hajat perkotaan. Tahun 1999, Chandra merekrut classmate-nya di universitas yang sama, Ary (Vokal) dan Ano (Lead Guitar). Ternyata, selain andal dalam menulis cerita porno, Ary yang waktu itu mengisi posisi Guitar ternyata memiliki karakter vokal yang unik ketika tanpa sengaja menyanyikan sebuah lagu. Akhirnya, band sepakat mendaulat Ary sebagai vokalis. Perbedaan karakter dan latar belakang musik masing-masing personil tanpa disadari mempengaruhi musik Molenvliet yang merefleksikan indie-rock, synthpop, postpunk, glamrock, dan experimental dengan konsep minimalis, gelap, dan bersemangat.
Tahun 2000, sebelum dirilisnya album kompilasi band indie lokal “Untouchable : All Tomorrow Partiesâ€, Roffal memutuskan keluar dari band dan posisinya digantikan oleh Rizal, yang merupakan kawan lama. Berlanjut di tahun 2004, Molenvliet meluncurkan proyek self release-nya yakni mini album (EP) The Undercover. Sepanjang tahun tersebut, selain tampil di beberapa gigs, Molenvliet pernah di-review di beberapa webzine underground local dan media popular lainnya. Bahkan di tahun yang kembali mempopulerkan istilah “punk disco†itu, Molenvliet didaulat untuk tampil dalam gigs “British Goldmine : Salute Concert to Britpop Heroes†untuk “berperan†sebagai Pulp. Meskipun enggan disebut sebagai band spesialis tribute, Molenvliet juga pernah tampil penuh dengan mengcover lagu-lagu Rialto dalam gigs “British Icon†dan juga David Bowie dalam "Discollapse : Tribute to New Wave" yang merupakan sebuah konser tribute yang cukup berpengaruh saat itu.
Pada 9 April 2006 lalu di Betawi Kafe, Kebon Sirih, Jakarta, Molenvliet telah meluncurkan full lenght album perdana di Betawi Cafe, Jl Jaksa, Jakarta yang sekaligus merupakan pengukuhan Ochad sebagai Lead Guitar menggantikan posisi Ano yang mengundurkan diri karena pekerjaannya.
Kini, setelah album tersebut mendapatkan sambutan cukup baik di kalangan indie, Molenvliet pada 11 November 2007 telah meluncurkan album kedua yang bertitel "Ladies and Fellow" di bawah naungan Phantom Records (indie). Di album ini Molenvliet menjanjikan sesuatu yang berbeda dengan album sebelumnya.
DISCOGRAPHY Singles : Love Story Part. 1 @ Untouchable : All Tommorow Parties
(Triangle Records, 2000)
Roxy in Drama @ Sound of Indie Compilation
(Jetstar Records, 2005)
EP : The Undercover
(self release, 2004)
Full Lenght Album :
Night & Day
(self release, 2006)
Ladies and Fellows
(Phantom Records, 2007)
MOLEN MANAGEMENT Jl. Pembangunan I No. 66 A
Jakarta Pusat
[email protected] YM id : molenvlietronic
CP : AJI CHAOS 02194938917 / 08179983017
============================================================ =========
