RIBAG SUDE is 3-piece Hardcore Punk / D-beat Raw Punk mob from Medan, Indonesia. The first release is an EP entitled “Krisis D.I.Y” Tape 2015. After approximately 5-6 years of silence due to line-up problems, the band is back with a second Cassette-EP, “Warvictims”. Both of these releases are under Bukan Record. RIBAG SUDE is also actively involved in several splits and compilations, among which are “Crust War Raw Attack” 8-way split, No Class For Hell Crust Sound compilation tape vol.2 (Sound of Chaos Records), Noise-82 compilation tape (Noise-82 Records, Bandung), Bebas Merdeka #4 compilation CD (Lapak Punk Records, Pangandaran - Jawa Barat), etc. Let’s read our conversations with the vocalist and guitarist, Ijas. - Interviewed by Atandistorted, 31 May 2022
Hello guys. What’s up today?
Hello Reveal Fanzine. We are fine and healthy.
Please tell us the history of Ribag Sude and introduce the current band members? What’s the exact meaning behind the band name?
RIBAG SUDE was formed in 2009, starting from the interest of 3 youngsters to d-beat punk music. At that time we were enjoying traditional alcoholic drinks (tuak) while playing a cassette tape of Singapore Punk Holocaust 4-way split featuring MINUS, BLINDED HUMANITY, HATRED JACKALS and DISTRUST. Because of that, the idea has emerged to form a raw d-beat band. We started composing some songs and started performing at some punk gigs. However, it only lasted a year and then Ribag Sude began to vacuum. At the end of 2014 we returned with the new formation and had recorded 9 tracks. In early 2015, Ribag Sude officially released its first album “Krisis D.I.Y” which was released by Bukan Record. A year later the bass player Hendri stepped out of Ribag Sude and the vacancy was filled by Sadam, and then until 2017 Sadam was replaced by Said. In 2018 our drummer Ian left the band and was replaced by Gadonk. Ribag Sude was on hiatus again until 2021 where the band bounced back with new current members; Ijas (guitar/vocals), Kinoi (bass), Gadonk (drums). Along with this line-up we produced an EP we called is as “Warvictims” and was just released by Bukan Record a few months ago. We got the name Ribag Sude from the local language (Batak). For information, Batak is one of the tribes in the area where we live, namely Medan, which is indeed very identical with this tribe. Ribag in Indonesian means “Hantam”, or “Hit” in English while Sude is “Semua” (or “All” in English). RIBAG SUDE is HANTAM SEMUA in Indonesian translation, which means HIT ALL!
More than 10 years existed in the scene, how do you rate the band achievements as far? Where do you put the position of Ribag Sude in the entire Indonesian hardcore punk scene?
Apart from being a medium to convey worries and awareness through lyrics, for us this band is to have fun and become a platform to make friends, especially in the hardcore punk scene. Yes, we still put ourselves in the D.I.Y movement, just like other crust bands.
Please describe in details about your musical style and share some of your major inspirations and influences in composing music?
We play d-beat raw punk/crust musically, inspired by some d-beat raw/crust bands such as Anti Cimex, Disclose, Doom, Disarm, Pisschrist, Discharge and other crust bands.
Say something about your debut EP “Krisis D.I.Y” (Cassette-Tape 2015)? How difficult it was to release the first official EP and did it meet your satisfaction?
“Krisis D.I.Y” is our first album containing 9 songs released by Bukan Record. “Krisis D.I.Y” we took it from one of the song titles in the EP. Actually it’s not too difficult, because there happened to be a friend who helped the process of mixing, mastering, and duplicating the cassettes. Well, that’s the first recording, of course, we feel that there are still a lot of things that are lacking, but it doesn't matter, it can be a lesson for us for the next album.
Congratulations for the releasing of new EP “Warvictims” (Cassette-Tape 2021). Tell us everything about this new EP regarding the songwritings, recording sessions, sound production, artworks, etc?
Thank you bro. This EP can be realized after Ribag Sude got a new line-up formation, because before that the band was on hiatus for a while. With this new line-up we have planned to record and prepare new songs for the next material. Regarding songwriting, most of the songs wrote by me, Ijas (guitars/vocals). Then we discussed each song during rehearsal sessions. Within 2 weeks we managed to write some songs and started practicing in the music studio. We rehearsed twice and got 5 songs. In the next practice we got 2 more songs. Then at the 4th meeting we immediately recorded, but the sound quality was not satisfactory, so we had to repeat the recording once again. For the recording process, we recorded live until finally all the songs were successfully released.
How do you see Ribag Sude progressed and developed in this second new brand EP as compared to the first one? Do you accomplished anything through “Warvictims” EP?
In this second EP, the music is neater than the previous one. Yes we are so much more satisfied with this second EP.
Bukan Records has given their full commitments on both of your EPs. Lets talk something about this trusted label?
Bukan Record is our close relative, a record label that fully supports punk bands in our city to produce physical releases in particular. Apart from owning a music studio, recording facilities and a screen printing production house, Bukan Record has also released many punk bands in this city, especially for crust & grind bands. Bukan Record also organizes band tours from out of town and even from international bands who want to tour in our city. You can get in touch with the label via email: bukanrecord@gmail.com or instagram: @bukanrecord.
Ribag Sude also featured in some splits and compilations. What do you think about these release-formats? Do you gained anything from the appearances?
The main thing for us to be involved in the compilation is just to increase the network of friendship and communication with the hardcore punk scene movement wherever they are. Yes, from several compilations, we usually get royalties in the form of cassettes of these compilations.
Please explain more about your lyrical themes and topics? Do you think that messages are truthfully important from a hardcore/d-beat/crust bands just like Ribag Sude?
The theme is still about social criticism, anti-war and the like. In the first EP we gave the title “Krisis D.I.Y” because it tells about our dislike of punks who stepped away from the concept of punk resistance itself. We are against punk rockstars / punk idols who act like mainstream artists because they are caught up in trends and enslaved by the capitalists. In our second EP entitled “Warvictims”, it's about the destruction caused by war, the annihilation of the world, killing the innocents, all paid for in blood. Warfare is the most cruel savagery in the history of human civilization. Stop All Wars Now!!!
Please report briefly about hardcore punk / underground music scene in Medan and Sumatra? Are there any fanzines around there?
Hardcore punk/underground music in Medan and Sumatra is growing in recent times. There have been a lot of releases from several bands from every city popping up. Yes, there are some fanzines such as: New Kicks, Diszine, Setara zine.
Thank you. Any last words?
Yes, thank you again. Glad to be able to share info in this fanzine. Greetings from us Ribag Sude, may we all be given good health and long lasting friendship. Message from us: stay punk, keep enjoying and don’t forget to stop by our city if there is a band that wants to tour in Indonesia. Contact us on instagram: @ribagsude_official or email: ribag.sude@yahoo.com. Cheers!
Information & contacts:
Email: ribag.sude@yahoo.com
*Note: This interview is as published in Reveal #14
