Interview with Gayang Kulintangan

GAYANG KULINTANGAN REVOLT

Interviewed by: Fonda




Hail to all the bands their in Malaysia! It seems that the UG scene there is alive and banging since I have been reviewing lots of Malaysian bands recently. Can you give a short introduction of your band for our readers out there.
Henry: Our music is basically Death Metal, fused with ethnic South East Asian traditional music and sound. Utilizing both modern musical instruments (Western), and traditional musical instruments (Bornean, Indonesian & Malaysian) as our medium of _expression.

It’s quite amazing that it all started in a simple MSN chat by two metalheads until GKR has been established. From 6 members until down to two. How did you guys manage to push tru with the demo? You took some Javanese and Balinese gamelan from the Internet you say, so the effects added are mostly provided or taken from the internet? Did the result of the demo surpass your expectations?
Henry: Initially we did use samples obtained from the Internet, however, for the album "Misangod Rondom", we recorded each and every instrument ourselves, except for the drums, Kevin sampled his own drumset and loaded it with a drum sequencer software to compose the drum parts.

GKR’s music is a combination of ethnic and death metal. We have UG bandz here as well with that kind of style. Who put up the whole concept of your music? Was it something that you guys didn’t plan or all of you decided from the very start that your music would be like that?
Kevin: It was Henry's idea in the first place. Until today, we are still searching for our own sound, it's quite a struggle to become either original or just another experimental band.

Gongs, kulintangan, and tobuii are used in your unique music. Henry, since you went to Scotland, did it cross your mind to put a touch of the Scottish bagpipe in GKR’s demo? Or you really wanted it to be an Asian ethnic combination only?
Henry: Only ethnic Asian music and sounds.



Not to compare or anything, but do you think Asian bands have some advantage when it comes to creativity in music compare to our brother bands in USA and Europe? Is it because Asian countries are rich in culture?
Kevin: Maybe, but it all depends if they know how to make use of it...

Who usually writes the lyrics in your songs since it is written in English, Dusun and Malay? Does some of your songs written by your former bandmates and still you put it in the GKR’s demo?
Kevin: All lyrics were written by Henry.

When I heard your mp3s, picture of traditional ethnic war came into my head. Can you tell us a short history of headhunting amongst Dusun people of N. Borneo since you said it is the basis of your songs and also war?
Henry: Headhunting was a part of the Dusun culture since day one, and was finally abolished by the British in the 1880s. Did you know that the people on Panay & Negros, If I'm not mistaken the Visayan Straits, are of the same stock/family as the Dusuns. So basically, the tradition and stories of headhunting amongst Dusuns are quite the similar to the folks of Panay & Negros. It is also believed that they came from Borneo.

Since we are talking about war, do you think that the American troops should leave Iraq? Would there be any terrorist still if every country’s government would give in to the demands of its citizen?
Kevin: We don't know anything much regarding that matter, so we could not comment on it, sorry.

Since Saba Malaysia is just a boat ride to the Philippines back door, do you have any plan to tour here? We could set a series of shows for you guys here, and by the way, have you heard about the ABUSAF group here in the Philippines? Is there any group something like that there in your country?
Kevin: Indeed GKR is interested in performing overseas, if you really meant what you just said then perhaps we could negotiate a tour deal...
Henry: Yes we have heard of the ABUSAF group, well as far as we know, terrorism isn't a major issue here in Malaysia.

What about the zine scene there in Saba? Could you tell us some zines there to check out? And if you’ll rate how serious the underground scene there in your place from 1 to 10, what would it be?
Kevin: Sad to say that we're not so familiar with the underground scene here in Sabah, as far as I know, it has been around since the 80s but lately the ongoing Black Metal issue in Malaysia has really slowed down activities such as gigs and shows.

If you will be given a chance to play at the OZZFEST to represent your country, will you play? Why? If not, why?
Kevin: Sure, why not? - (Huh???!!!- Corix - ed)

Do you guys drink, smoke, or do drugs? We have this herbal hard drink here in the Philippines called “lambanog” and it taste fucking good and can make you drunk all night. How about in your country? Should marijuana be legalize since it is a herbal plant?
Kevin: Both of us drink, occasionally. Henry smokes, but only cigarettes though.

Since GKR consist of you two, any plans forming a new line-up or is it much easier to manage with just the two of you?
Henry: We are still seeking for a permanent drummer, a vocalist, and a few gong & kulintangan players.

What are GKR’s music influences? Bands you guys are listening to lately.
Henry: Death Metal, bands like Nile, Krisiun, Cannibal Corpse just to name a few, and also Bornean & Indonesian traditional music.

Do you have any Filipino friends there? And by the way, can you share us some profane or bad words? How about the word “motherfucker”?
Kevin: Of course we do. Henry has a good one for you, "Tonsilut", the Almighty Clitoris.

If given an opportunity, who would you like to kill? How about a band that you guys believe is a total bullshit?
Kevin: No one. Well, we don't really care much about other bands... we still do listen to some of them, of course, but that's just about it.

Define GKR in one word. Why do you think it’s the appropriate word?
Kevin: One word? no idea... you really got us.

What are the chances that you guys will be visiting Philippines? When will we expect GKR’s next demo release?
Henry: Not sure yet...

Thank you for giving much time in answering this! Any last words you guys would like to tell our readers?
Kevin: Nothing much really, buy our album. And don't forget to check out our website for news and updates

http://freewebs.com/gilangtana.

Keep up the goodwork GKR! Horns up!