Project Pop is an Indonesian comedic band from Bandung. Founded in 1996 as a younger generation of Project-P, they distinguished themselves by writing original music. Their first album, Bakpia vs Lumpia was a commercial and critical failure, but beginning with their 2000 album Tu Wa Ga Pat they found mainstream success. Drawing on current musical trends when writing their songs, they have done songs in pop, dangdut, soul, rock, house, and rap., they have released nine albums.
History
Project Pop was founded in 1996 as a spinoff of Project-P, a previous comedic band. Although originally consisting of seven members, only six remain: Hermann Josis Mokalu, Muhammad Fachroni, Djoni Permato, Gumilar Nurochman, Wahyu Rudi Astadi, and Kartika Rachel Setia Redjeki Panggabean. Aside from Gugum, who attended Padjadjaran University, all attended Parahyangan Catholic University. Project Pop soon distinguished themselves from Project-P by writing their own songs, instead of parodying then-popular songs. Their first album, Bakpia vs Lumpia, was not well received. After a hiatus brought on by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, they released their second album, 2000's Tu Wa Ga Pat, which was well received. Hera Diani of The Jakarta Post described it as being full of "contagious pop tunes and comical, yet witty lyrics." This success was followed by a "repackage" album, Bil Dong Plisin 2001, with "Jangan Piki-Piki" becoming a hit. Two years later this was followed by Pop OK, which sold 300,000 copies and was certified double platinum. In 2004 they collaborated with soloist Chrisye on the song "Bur-Kat" for his album Senyawa. In 2005, Project Pop released Pop Circus; the music video for "Jangan Ganggu Banci" went on to win MTV Indonesia's video clip of the year. Two years later they released Six-A-Six, with metal and disco influences. In 2008, Project Pop released their seventh album, Top of Pop. 2009 saw Project Pop release their eighth album, You Got. The title is an acronym of their stage names. In 2016, upon hearing news of O'on's sickness, Project Pop released an exclusive single called "Cepat Sembuh". On 13 January 2017, one of Project Pop's members, O'on, died of complications of diabetes at his residence in Bandung. This left Project Pop with five members.
Style
Project Pop's song are generally about current issues, but presented with "humorous lyrics and playful melodies". Their musical genre changes with what is trending; for example, "Bur-Kat" was rap inspired, while their 2003 song "Dangdut is the Music of My Country" was a mix of then-trending Linkin Park-style rock and dangdut. They have done songs in pop, dangdut, soul, rock, house, and rap. Originally, the band focused on the comedic aspects of their songs, writing songs about "food and martial arts fighters". However, due to pressures caused by the switch to ringback tones as the main sales media and a concern that their songs were "funny but not lasting", they switched to more overt messages, understandable within a 30-second clip.
Performances
Project Pop often performs live, at traditional music venues as well as birthday parties and campaign and product events. Each member has their own strengths. In a 2001 interview with The Jakarta Post, Udjo stated that Yosi came up with the concepts, Gugum kept spontaneous, and Tika gauged the audience's mood.
