A Short Introduction
I introduce to you, this group of young, talented musicians, with whom I have the great pleasure, of both being a part of, and working with. But first, a little background story...
The band, started out with a long running friendship between me (Kalam) and my bassist (Marvin). We’ve been playing music with each other, for about 9 years now, starting out in 2009. We started playing because of a manditory class from our Junior High curriculum. Music Arts and Theatre, as it was called, obliged students from our school to pick either one of the three streams available, with a chance to renew their choice, at the start of the new school year.
In the 3rd year of Junior High, I decided that I would pick the music stream instead of the art stream that I have been going through with, practically ever since I enrolled into the school as a 4th grader, in 2004. This choice had much to do with the fact that in the 1st year of Junior High, me and Marvin both enrolled into the art stream, but would always be drawing pictures of both the respective musical instrument that we were able to play - guitar for me, and bass for Marvin.
As I joined him in the music stream’s band class, Marvin and I both decided to take our interests outside of school. We would form a band in the same year (2009) that we started playing music together, with a few other schoolmates of ours. As years progressed, the format and musical style would also progress, leading to a change of personel and musical direction, none of which really presenting promising opportunities. The one thing however, that would not change, was the fact that it would always be me on guitar, and Marvin on electric bass.
Years pass, and both Marvin and I still maintain a close friendship - regardless of wether or not we play music together - and have each grown to respect one another in a variety of ways. One aspect of my creative artistry in which I have only recently been able to comfortably publicize, are my writings. Now the thing is, I like to believe that I am my worst critic... Excluding Marvin. We practically grew up together, and played music together. We have a mutual respect for each other, but that does not co - relate to how hard of a critic we are towards each other as well. So if I present something to Marvin, in any shape and form of creative context, I make sure that it fulfills not only mine, but also his standards as well.
With that being said, this year has been a great year for both Marvin and I, for we have never been this up close and personal as friends ever since we’ve known each other. This new complexity that has been established in our relationship, has led to me and Marvin to try and continue our musical endeavor together - as band mates - in a new, and more accepting format. Now the next step for us, after establishing a much more open personal friendship, would be to find a complimentary member for our band, that would personally be a good fit both musically and personally. Hence, our choice to induct Thareq into the band.
The first practice went well, the second one went better, but it was not until we came together for the 3rd time, did we, as a group experience a revelation. The group was initially my instrumental trio dubbed as the Kalam Mahardhika Trio. I’d like to describe my music as ‘edgy funk rock’ drawing much inspiration from bands such as Screaming Headless Torso, Primus, and Red Hot Chili Peppers to name a few. The difference was, there was no lyrical content within my music.
Around 2-3 days before the 3rd practice, I contacted Marvin to let him know that I was going to come over to his place, to show him a composition that I would like to try and rehearse with Thareq as well, later on. This became a pivotal moment in my musical endeavor, for I was about to present my first ever composition with lyrical narrative, to Marvin, in which he would play a role in the song. Much to my suprise, Marvin liked it. I did not make much of it at that time, because we had yet to try it out in the studio, with everyone partaking.
On the day of rehearsal, Marvin, Thareq and I, played our first ever original composition, and much to our surprise... We liked it! We were all ecstatic about how promising this particular project could be. So now, all we needed was a name...
A few trial and errors on a Wu Tang name generator later, and a plural fixation on the word ‘Man’, and there you have it... Mad Madmen was born! But not only was a band formed on that day: A drummer became a friend, a chemistry solidified, and an identity search spanning years and years was highly rewarded. So I present to you:
Us
Kalam Mahardhika on Electric Guitar and Vocals
Marvin Muhammad on Electric Bass
and Thareq Satria on Drums
together we are...
Mad Madmen
May 31st, 2018
Kalam Mahardhika
keren