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MOST of us have the impression that skinheads are aggressive boys with
closely shaven heads who have nothing better to do but to cause trouble.
It's a social illness, some would say. But what many fail to see is
that troublemakers do not necessarily come in uniforms. People will cause
trouble regardless of how they look like.
Skinheads belong to a subculture - a community made up of people with
distinct behaviour and beliefs within a larger culture.
"It's sad the word 'skinhead' now has such strong negative
connotations. However, being in our position now, maybe we can do
something to change that perception," said Edyherwan Hamzah Baswan,
frontman of local ska septet Gerhana Skacinta recently.
So what's the connection between Gerhana Skacinta and skinheads?
Well, like Oi! and street punk, ska is an important musical element in
the skinhead culture.
Because of this, the band has been categorised with the skinheads,
negative connotations and all.
However, despite their 'outsider' status, Gerhana Skacinta has slowly
but surely become a force to be reckoned with.
With three Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) nominations (one in 2003 and
two this year); gold status album (their second album, The New Authentic
has sold more than 20,000 copies); notable performances at high profile
award shows (AIM, Anugerah Planet Muzik and Anugerah Era all within this
year); Gerhana Skacinta IS the most successful band that has come from
the skinhead community in the history of Malaysian popular music.
Now, how did they do the unthinkable - getting skinhead music accepted
by the masses?
"Simply because it's easily digestible," said Edy. "If you trace the
background of ska music, you'll find elements of mento and calypso; the
same foundation of early Malaysian popular music."
So now you know.
But it wasn't achieved overnight. It actually took them more than four
years to get where they are at now.
The band was formed by Edy (trumpet/vocals) while he was still playing
with another premier skinhead band, ACAB, back in 2000 as an outlet for
him to channel his passion for ska music.
After a few rehearsals, the band made its live debut at the now defunct
Artiste Club in April 2000, performing alongside bands like Kluk Kluk
Adventure, Corumn 80s and Root Rules.