Is it a history or a scandal? Is it a revolution or a destroyer of monotonous tradition? A massive wave that came from little district in Malang, and the story became bigger than its place. That place named Singosari, a place where Ken Arok revolutionize the history decades ago.
As ten years ago, “Begundal Lowokwaru” was just chatter of Indra Binatang and Ustad Chipeng, that revolution isn’t meant to be done in either big city or metropolis, everything can be started; depend on what we have to start first. From those chatter, a band without personnel was born. The band that somewhat influenced by rascal local bands who had clear statement about punk fashion, at that time, i.e. Laga Bara, Runtah, and also bands from early era of street punk community, i.e. Realino, Sriwedari, Meruya, and many more.
It was a short trip for Indra Binatang and Ustardz Chipeng to celebrate New Year eve in Klayatan, around 8pm, 31st December 1998, during the trip. The name for the band was born, “Begundal Lowokwaru” with two personnel. And in the next following day, the other personnel were recruited to help this uncertain project, they are: Buyung Mukembe, Age' Pipo Pilipo A.K.A Panda, Sableng, Fordi and Koko Ombat. Based on songs that they’ve created in Sidodadi Junction (place near Singosari traditional market), Begundal Lowokwaru began to perform in small punk events or sometime get leftover time from their close relative, a skapunk band “Skatoopid”. Eventually, Begundal’s songs such as “Road to the bottle (equality)”, “oi!seplok”, or “saudara sebotol” already take place in the local scene. Begundal Lowokwaru elevated street issues with straight and frank lyric-writing style; they began to get larger fans and audience, even though there still many of them questioned or even criticized their subject matter. After created some songs and gathered enough personnel, they planned to record their first album. Begundal Lowokwaru recorded their first album at Nada Musica Surabaya, this album contains 11 songs straight to the point street punk anthem, with personnel; ustardz Chipeng (vokal), John Gembel Gua Selarong (Guitar), Sableng Tangisan Boot (bass), Gopel Titisan Kiley (drum), and aided by Paduan suara Punkemiz Antartika Sidoarjo, This album was released under Street drunk rock records label in late 1999.
After this album had released, song that before was sung by local audience and relatives, now began to proclaimed in some punk communities which at that time so-called early era of punk, they rocked all the performing enquiries from Jakarta to “Island of Deity” Bali. 2000 copy album sale was a phenomenal achievement for the band from small town with mediocre music skill.
The big success in their first album brought the opportunity for Begundal Lowokwaru to collaborated with the elder of Sayidan Skinhead "the Sardonic", this album was developed in Yogyakarta, contains 11 songs from both bands, and released by Realino Records Yogyakarta, and also released with very limited copy, it was only 75 copy!. After split album release, a lot of changes occurred in the band. John Gembel resigned from the band, Age' Pipo Pilipo rejoined as bassist and Sableng filled rhythm guitar position, and Begundal Lowokwaru also invited Antok Celeng for lead guitar. With the current formation Begundal Lowokwaru began to work on their second album, at last, 11 songs which most of it written in English was released in early 2003, titled "Suburban legion", this album was an musical exploration and maturing development for Begundal Lowokwaru, a traditional instrument usually use by Arbanat (Traditional Food) seller was used in their music, made Begundal Lowokwaru became new concept for Indonesian punk scene.
This was turning point for Begundal Lowokwaru, the band hit by life necessity, Sableng and Celeng had to work in Bali, Ustardz Chipeng went to Borneo, and Gopel also went to Sumatra In this Phase, with aid from friends, Indra Binatang strived to keep Begundal Lowokwaru in motion, Begundal Lowokwaru’s vacuum phase occurred in a long time, in these time, Begundal Lowokwaru only produced one song for compilation album released by patriot 666 records Bali, titled “And the bottle for all”, this song also released by Realino Records titled “Oi! Penalti”.
In late 2004, Ustardz Chipeng return in Malang, fortunately, Antok Celeng also went back to Malang, some songs began to set in motion with band formation Ustardz Chipeng, Antok Celeng, Age' Pipo Pilipo, Bansheng Blokotok, and Udin Bach Cock(screaming factor). four songs had been made with this formation, and this time, the song contains lightweight instrument yet neat and so Begundal-ish recorded in studio ANTZ Malang, four song they produced began it’s journey fron one computer to another with mp3 format, even though, it was demo song, nevertheless it became anthem for this cold city.
Early 2006, personnel changes happened again, Bansheng Blokotok resign because the heavy tour schedule which usually crashed with his work, meanwhile, Udin Bach Cock determinate to get serious with his own band “Screaming Factor”, later on, their position filled again by “The Lost Boy” Indra Binatang who was idle because of Skatoopid was in vacuum phase, and his friend in Diskoteror project “diskopunk”, and drum position filled by an independence drummer, Rosi Kobra (played for many significant bands in local scene).
With this current formation, material for the next album was worked on; even they were still in city to city tour. Later on, in WW Studio, they recorded 20 songs for the third album, after all basic recording finished, mixing and mastering processed in GG Studio. Only nine songs added to their newest album. Titled “Punk Is A Threat Not A Fashion Tips( Goin' Traditional ), the album hit the market march 2008, just two months after released 1000 copy has been sold, this album was the answer for the thirst of Begundal Lowokwaru’s fans who longing for their work. In this phase, Indra Binatang had to vanish once more to get married. His position temporarily replaced by all-around guitarist Acoy Geboy (SATCF, kids next door, soldiers embrace) and Fat Feri (dive into summer); with this latest formation they wiped out Java-Bali on April till July 2008. And now,,,,, they are still working, recording, practicing, guitar fingering, drum practicing and rehearsals the new materials for the 4th album.
