Voice of Baceprot

Biography

Voice of Baceprot (Sundanese pronunciation: [ba.t͡ʃə.prot]; bah-che-prot, lit. 'loudness/noise')—often abbreviated as VOB—are an Indonesian all-female metal trio formed in Garut, West Java, in 2014. The group consists of Firda Marsya Kurnia (vocals and guitar), Widi Rahmawati (bass), and Euis Siti Aisyah (drums). They sing in English as well as Sundanese. The word baceprot means "noisy" in Sundanese. It is meant to represent the band's musical style.

Formation

VOB formed in the West Javan town of Singajaya, Garut, in 2014, after the members, who were school friends, were introduced to heavy metal by their counselor, who saw music as an outlet for their proactive, rebellious nature, which had gotten them in trouble with teachers. They generated numerous views on YouTube with a cover of a Rage Against the Machine song in 2015. The trio continued to produce videos of cover songs by artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, and Slipknot. The band presented a seemingly contradictory image, with their heavy style of playing, in contrast to their modest Islamic attire, including the hijab, worn by all three members. This has caused them to receive criticism from some conservative Muslims in their hometown of Garut. They have also received support, however, from various quarters.
All three women had been learning to play musical instruments at school and were encouraged by their theatre coach to sign up for band competitions. Their coach went on to become their manager as well as lyricist.

First single and recognition

In 2018, VOB signed a deal with Jakarta-based booking agency Amity Asia. Not long after, they released their debut single, "School Revolution×School Revolution1 May 2018 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1School Revolution5:49". The single gained the band significant traction, and they received a number of invitations to perform at international music festivals.
When American rock band Guns N' Roses played at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta in November 2018, guitarist Slash invited the trio to meet him backstage.
They received further endorsements on social media from Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, as well as Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid.

Second single and live EP

In early 2021, VOB returned to the studio to work on "God, Allow Me (Please) to Play Music×God, Allow Me (Please) to Play Music17 August 2021 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1God, Allow Me (Please) to Play Music3:31", a response to the conservative criticism they faced. It was their first original single in three years. The song was released on 17 August 2021, preceded by an EP of five live tracks, titled The Other Side of Metalism (Live Session)×The Other Side of Metalism (Live Session)3 August 2021 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1School Revolution (Live Session)5:282Before I Forget (Live Session)4:113I-E-A-I-A-I-O (Live Session)3:544Testify (Live Session)3:375I Wear My Skin (Live Session)3:30.

US tour and debut album

In June 2023, the band announced an 11-stop US tour, beginning in August of that year. They also announced the upcoming release of their debut album, entitled Retas×RETAS14 July 2023 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1What's The Holy (Nobel) Today?3:472PMS3:323Age Oriented3:294The Enemy of Earth is You3:355Kawani3:556[NOT] PUBLIC PROPERTY3:197God, Allow Me (Please) to Play Music3:318School Revolution5:489God, Allow Me (Please) to Play Music ((Live at HITC Jakarta 2022))4:02, on 13 July 2023, via 12Wired. The band issued the first single from the album, "What's the Holy (Nobel) Today?×What's The Holy (Nobel) Today?15 June 2023 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1What's The Holy )Nobel) Today?3:462The Enemy of Earth is You3:35", on 15 June.
In June 2024, VOB became the first-ever Indonesian musical act to play at the Glastonbury Festival.

Band members

Firda Marsya Kurnia – vocals, guitar
Euis Siti Aisyah – drums
Widi Rahmawati – bass