The S.I.G.I.T.

The S.I.G.I.T (The Super Insurgent Group of Intemperance Talent)
Origin	Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
Genres	Hard rock, garage rock, blues rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock
Years active	2002—present
Labels	FFWD Records, FFWDCuts, Caveman!, Spills
Website	http://www.thesigit.com/
Members	Rektivianto Yoewono Aditya Bagja Mulyana Farri Icksan Wibisana Donar Armando Ekana

The S.I.G.I.T. (The Super Insurgent Group of Intemperance Talent) is an Indonesian rock band based in Bandung, Indonesia. The band consists of Rektivianto Yoewono (vocal, guitar), Farri Icksan Wibisana (lead guitar), Aditya Bagja Mulyana (bass), and "Acil" Armando Donar Ekana (drums). They have released two LP's: Visible Idea of Perfection (2006), and Detourn (2014). And also two notable EP's: Self-Titled (2004), and Hertz Dyslexia which they previously released separately in 2009 and 2010.

On one interview with the frontman, Rekti, he was being asked how he came up with the name. He said, "I was doing nothing really, so I just had this silly thought about searching my name on Google. I thought, "What does 'Rekti' mean in somewhere 'round this world?" So, I went on searching, and just decided to search for my dad's name; Sigit. Then I found this website sigit.com, and what it was, was a science interests group. I thought, "Wow", then I worked on the perfect abbreviation stands." And the band admitted later that the idea of name's abbreviation came from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, one of their influences.

They're described as a hard rock band, and often being compared to Wolfmother and The Datsuns. Even they were dubbed as 'Indonesian answer to Wolfmother' by some Australian medias.

History

Formation and early years (1997-2004)

Rekti, Aditya, and Acil knew each other since middle school. They jammed together with the influence from Led Zeppelin, The Stone Roses, and many classic rock bands. And not long afterwards, in high school, Farri came along with his good sense in arranging music, and of course with the same taste of music. So they started to write their own songs, and played in local gigs, or school events.

Discreetly in the classroom, the group would listen to their 70s influences, in addition to recent phenomenon like britpop, shoegaze, and modern punk-rock. After school, they reconvened in the garage, where they emulated the variety of sounds, and styles they heard that day. The S.I.G.I.T.’s wide range of stylistic interests made it difficult initially to identify the music scene that would fit their inventive material.

In their early years, they were a covering band for their idols. They'd play The Clash's or Led Zeppelin's songs in rehearsal. But, they thought it'd be better if they start to play their own songs. They were one of the many local bands born in 2000's, a time of stagnancy, judging from intensity of music events, unlike the 90s. Even though many of those gigs were being held with lack of funds, but every one involved was doing it in such will. The D.I.Y. mentality was very strong at those times. The band admitted that help from various local communities in Bandung was really assisting to The S.I.G.I.T., and other local independent acts there.

Formed in the early 2000′s, a time when artists like Limp Bizkit, and Britney Spears were dominating airwaves, The S.I.G.I.T. wondered how their rock-based tendencies, and reverences for multiple styles would be received by audiences. To find out, they began to send out invitations to a weekly garage gig, which featured beer, barbeque, and their engaging music. The audience’s reaction was extremely positive, and the four-piece realized they would not be forced to confine to radio conventions to gain listeners. Their authentic love for good old rock and roll would be more than enough.

Record deal and self-titled EP (2004-2005)

In 2004, they signed with Spills Records. And in response to the popular garage gigs, they released their debut EP in late 2004. Some of the receptions were rather negative, and people started to call them "mainstream rock 'n' roll" because throughout this times, The White Stripes broke out into mainstream chart with Elephant, which was a garage rock album. It made people make up their minds into thinking that The S.I.G.I.T. was just "too White Stripes". But the band had a denial by saying,

"Yes, coincidentally, this recent years are emering with the wave of garage rock. Of course, we are aware, and following this. Not because it had become a "trend", but because we've always been a fan of this kind of music. Imagine the feeling that the music you love reborn, and then many great bands came along to surf with the wave. But, even though, if this emering wave hadn't had happened, I'm absolutely sure that we'll still be doing what we are right now, which was influenced from rock music from 60s, and 70s."

In the legion of garage rock revivalist, they were one of the new crop of bands that looked further into the past for inspiration, and emerged triumphantly. Critics could argue that they, with all its pretentious moniker, were just a passing fad-- a band that swam in the slipstream of the garage rock revival promoted by contemporaries. Like The Datsuns, Kings of Leon, or Wolfmother. But one needeed only check out their live shows to see some raw power in the work, a ferocious rock 'n' roll in the likes of AC/DC, and Deep Purple. Haven't been yet releasing a proper album, they'd won a cult following. And as many of us witnessed, the single "Soul Sister" somehow became a radio hit in Bandung, and Jakarta. That was when the comparison between them, and The Datsuns, who was actually their really good friends, started.

One afternoon, they were asked by producer of the movie Catatan Akhir Sekolah if their song could contribute for the soundtracks, and would they even make an appearance in that movie. And so they did. In the scene of graduated celebration's night, they played "Did I Ask Your Opinion", where they were the guest star for the night. After that contribution, their fans grew rapidly, and not just in Bandung, or Jakarta.

They left Spills Records, and they began to use social media as a way to spread themselves. And with the help of their manager, Gino, they played in many bigger music events. Even they appeared on NME's Stereo. Which read, "Black Amplifier: Scorching, gonzo Zep Rock from our hot new Indonesian friend."

Visible Idea of Perfection (2006)

With high-energy, and passionate performances, their profile began to rise rapidly through live shows. After many successful gigs, FFWD came calling, and signed them. The label provided opportunities for them to perform outside their garage. They started to rearrange songs from previously released EP, and with some new songs worked on, they released their first full-length album Visible Idea of Perfection under FFWD's subsidiary label FFCUTS. Not very long until people on the other side of the world caught their music. A year later, an Australian label, Caveman! Records, signed them as one of their acts.

Caveman! released, and distributed the record in Australia. In which afterwards on June 2007, The S.I.G.I.T. was invited to tour in Australia by the label. They were going to be the opening act for Dallas Crane, 67 Special, and The Beasts of Bourbon. The band agreed, and so they had an Australia tour in hand. They were the first Indonesian band to play in Australia that were brought over by a label that was also their first international gigs.

On their Australia tour, they played in many venues, and bars in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Fremantle. But, of course, most of the Australians watching didn't know of them. Not even a chord. But they received positive reviews from many Australian publications, and listeners. And even Faster Louder, an Australian media, quoted on saying, "...To top it all off, the supports were better calibre than most headliners I’ve seen lately, with Indonesia’s The S.I.G.I.T. playing old school rock 'n' roll better than Jet, and Children Collide though doing a somewhat circle jerk performance looking at nothing, and shouting mainly unintelligible lyrics at the crowd, still pulled off some thumping bass grunge to impress the crowd. A top night from a headline band that need no props, and don’t ask for accolades. You get what you see, and if you dont like it tough."

After that successful first international appearances, The S.I.G.I.T. gained more, and more followers who were later calling themselves "Insurgent Army". Many of the armies showed their loyalty in unique ways such as songs pirating, or spending twenty three f-in' hours to edit the band's messed-up Wikipedia page.

Hertz Dyslexia EP (2009)

In 2008, they were scheduled to visit the United States to participate in the South by South West (SXSW) Festival, in Austin, Texas. Unfortunately, the trip was cancelled as Acil's visa was rejected at the very last minute. Bravely, they tried again the next year; this time, they succeeded. They did a small tour of the United States, played four gigs with the main show being was the SXSW Festival. It was their first experience of America's tour.

Despite of the ups and downs, the band kept on playing their music with huge energy, and passion as their fan base grew daily. The culmination point of this was in the music itself— They released their second EP: Hertz Dyslexia. Heartz Dyslexia was a two-parted EP that was released separately in between 2009 to 2010. The first included a cover of the famous Neil Young's Only Love Can Break Your Heart, and the second one was released digitally on their website in the form of download code.

And in conjungtion with the recently released album, the band and its record company celebrated the release of their EP record in Bandung, on June 20 by helding "The Dyslexia Concert." The sold-out concert was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone attended. More than three thousand people flocked from all over the country just to see the band perform. They had a gig in Semarang, and Jogjakarta a week before the show. The band asked the fans there if they would come to the releasing party, so they did. The band even provided transport for fans coming from outside of Bandung. This was a common thing in the US, or the UK. People can buy tickets with shuttle bus fare from their origin on it. The event organizer tried to invite people to come to Bandung. And even there was a die hard fan who came all they way from Makassar just to attend this "sacred" event. The EP then was included a DVD of live footage from the concert, and some music videos.

The concert was really a blast. The S.I.G.I.T. was the only independent band that can draw three thousand fans from all over the country to come to The Venue, Eldorado. Even more significant considering that most of their latest gigs have been for free. Rekti also thought the gig was something else.

"When you are on stage and realize that so many people have come to your show, and that they go home with smiling faces, it makes you feel like you have succeeded. It is an overwhelming feeling."

Hertz Dyslexia was a good example of the band only playing what they wanted to play. The album was filled with rock music experiments, a bit different from what they have previously released. They moved a little away from traditional Led Zeppelin-style rock 'n' roll, and defined a new sound. Some of their fans will probably be surprised with the new material. On an interview with The Jakarta Post, they said,

"It's a new thing for us. We have never done this before, in terms of the musical journey as a band. It's pretty hard to describe, actually. Even though songs on this album come from our early period, their execution has become a new expression of our ideas," Rekti, the lead vocalist, and a charismatic frontman, said, and added by Farri saying, ""Hertz Dyslexia is a rough outline of our second full album."

They have shown people they were strong enough to decide for themselves which musical direction they will take in the future. Not many bands can bravely stand at the top of their careers, and choose to do the unpopular thing; to release an experimental album. Well, they have not changed that much, but still, a lot of people will be surprised by these changes.

The arrangements they used in Visible Idea of Perfection were deconstructed in Hertz Dyslexia. They aimed at giving people something unpredictable, but not too confusing. They tried lots of new methods, and used many different instruments in the sessions. This EP was a gateway to their second full-length album. Behind the scenes of their promotional sessions for Hertz Dyslexia, the band was working on material for their new album. But though, these lads are still pursuing their love of learning, formally, in school. Rekti had just finished his postgraduate studies in Environmental Engineering at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). Farri studied at the same postgraduate school, majoring in Architecture. The other two members were the same; Adit was studying for his joint degree, and Acil was a full-time architect.

By this period they were still playing in many local rock music festivals, and school events. But they were more focused to finishing their schools, and working on some new music.

Detourn (2013)

Detourn was released in March, more than six years since their highly acclaimed debut album, Visible Idea of Perfection, back in 2007. During those times, they raced around the country’s rock circuit, visiting a variety of places and performing their songs numerous times. But still they were in the process of finishing the album. On an interview, the band promised that the album might be released in mid or late 2012. But had to be postponed because they ran out of money, and they had production issues.

And also the band was working towards perfection. They won’t release it if they think it was not as good as the materials on the first LP. That helps to explain why the band has taken so long to complete their latest album. If they felt it wasn’t good enough, this album may not have been released for another five years.

For fans, and the industry, the album was like a thirst-quencher; it was something that they have been awaiting for a very long time. Retail sales certainly point in that direction. The S.I.G.I.T. offered a fresh approach to their kind of rock music. The production on the album— which was a long process, comes across very well. They did a lot of sound exploration, flowing from one song to another, working on beats, and a few other things. Probably for some people, it will be quite hard to get this on the first hearing. This album was not as friendly on the ear as the previous one, but this was The S.I.G.I.T. now. And on the musical side, Rekti was given the opportunity to realize his long-held wish to have a flute, and Irish whistle in "Son of Sam"; admittedly, not a common choice of instruments for a rock band.

The band planned to do another release show, just like what they did once when they released Hertz Dyslexia. And with the help from their label, and an event organized, "Detournement" was held on 26 October 2013, at the same venue as "The Dyslexia Concert". Renowned for their lavish stage shows, The S.I.G.I.T. set high standards in sound quality, used innovative sound effects, and lightnings. Also, many great local musicians were invited to have appearance. Like choir, backup singers, saxophone player, and many more talents. The preparations for the solo concert was, one could say— absolutely amazing. Proper one for the tenth anniversary of the band's togetherness.

Like the concert four years ago, fans from all over the country attended this legendary event. Over three thousand fans came to this venue of five thousand people. Many wondered several bizarre gestures from the personnel. One was as Rekti came out from backstage with eyes of Fatima on the palm of his hands, and was in dark cloak. People might have misinterpreted this gimmick as illuminati, but that was just his blessing for the fans, so they may be kept away from any bad luck. But though, the show went on clockwise, and considered successful.

The S.I.G.I.T. continues to tour all around the country. Plays in school events, or standard rock 'n' roll festivals. On January 2014,Rolling Stone Indonesia gave the album 4 stars out of 5, and named it as "The Album of the Year."

Members

• Rektivianto Yoewono (Vocal)

• Farri Icksan Wibisana (Lead guitar)

• Aditya Bagja Mulyana (Bass, backing vocal)

• Donar Armando Ekana (Drums)

• Bimo Satria Nusa (guitar)

Discography

Albums

• Visible Idea of Perfection (2006)
• Detourn (2013)

EP's

• Self Titled (2004)
• Hertz Dyslexia (2009)

Compilations/Soundtracks

• Catatan Akhir Sekolah movie soundtrack (2005)
• Radit dan Jani movie soundtrack (2008)