Dewa 19
Encyclopedia
Dewa 19 often referred to as Dewa, were an Indonesia
n rock
band originating from Surabaya
, East Java
.
The band was formed in 1986 there have been a number of changes to the lineup and finally they were disbanded in 2011. Their last members lineup were: Ahmad Dhani
(keyboard), Andra (guitar), Agung Yudha (drums), Yuke (bass guitar), & Once (vocals).
. The name Dewa originated as an acronym of the founding members' names: D from Dhani (keyboard, vocals), E from Erwin Prasetya (bass guitar), W from Wawan Juniarso (drums) and A from Andra (guitar). Dewa is also an Indonesian word meaning 'god', or 'deity'. The band was initially based at Wawan's dorm in the Airlangga University complex.
Wanting to take a different direction, Wawan left the band in 1988 and formed Outsider with Ari Lasso
. The name Dewa was changed to Down Beat which became a reasonably well-known name in East Java
during that time.
When Slank became well-known, Wawan was asked to rejoin Dewa to rejuvenate the band and Ari Lasso was invited too. As the age of the bands members was 19 years at the time, Down Beat was changed to Dewa 19. Due to the lack of a studio that met their requirements in Surabaya, the band was forced to move to Jakarta
where after a number of rejections by record companies, a Dewa 19 master was finally recorded by Team Records.
During the making of the second album Format Masa Depan which was released in 1994, Wawan left the band again due to incompatibility between the members. After their 1995 album Terbaik-Terbaik which enjoyed sales of more than half a million units was completed, Wong Aksan joined the band as drummer. Wong departed too after the following album Pandawa Lima was finished in 1997 and was replaced by Bimo Sulaksono, a former member of Netral. Not long thereafter Bimo left Dewa 19 and together with Bebi formed the band Romeo.
In addition to the problem of frequent changes to the lineup, Dewa 19 also suffered from the implications of the alleged drug addiction problems of two other band members. Erwin entered a rehabilitation program to end a drug dependency which was ultimately successful. Ari Lasso also experienced drug addiction problem that affected to his vocal difficulties which makes Ari departed from the band in 1999, and Dhani insisted that the vocalist role will be replaced by Once whom he met in 1997. The vacant drummer's seat will be sitted by Tyo Nugros.
In 2000, Dewa made a breakthrough, along with the release time of their fifth album Bintang Lima, the band changed their name from Dewa 19 back to Dewa. Bintang Lima was a huge commercial success, selling over 1.7 million copies in Indonesia. It is the highest selling album in the band's career history. When they recorded the album, Erwin returned to the band as bass guitar player. In this album their signature songs are "Roman Picisan", "Separuh Nafas", "Sayap-sayap Patah", "Risalah Hati", & "Dua Sejoli".
In 2002, Dewa made another breakthrough, following the release of the popular album Cintailah Cinta, but it spawned a controversy. The song "Arjuna Mencari Cinta" was plagued by copyright issues and eventually the band was forced to change the name to "Arjuna" only. Erwin left due to differences with the band's management and was replaced by Yuke Sampurna, former bassist of The Groove. In this album their signature songs are "Pupus", "Arjuna", "Angin", "Bukan Rahasia", & "Kosong".
In 2004, Dewa released a live album entitled Atas Nama Cinta I & II followed by the studio album Laskar Cinta. Later, in the same year Dewa, returned their name to Dewa 19 again.
In 2006, their eighth studio album Republik Cinta
was released. The album has spawned three radio hit singles: "Laskar Cinta", "Selimut Hati" and "Sedang Ingin Bercinta".
In 2007, Tyo Nugros left Dewa 19 due to an injury on his leg that made him no longer to play drums. And later he is replaced by Agung Yudha.
In 2011, Ahmad Dhani announced Elfonda 'Once' Mekel has departed on January 19. And then Dhani audited many singers for the next lead vocal candidates of Dewa 19, the strongest candidate for the next vocalist was Judika Sihotang the runner-up winner of 2005 Indonesian Idol
singing contest, but later Dhani put Judika into his side project Mahadewa. Eventually, due to each members' activities in their own side projects & Once's departure from the band, there are many rumors spawned stated that Dewa 19 has been break-up, as the band leader Ahmad Dhani stated that Dewa 19 is currently disbanded, Dhani also stated Dewa 19 is not really break-up, but he is not bothered of issues states that Dewa 19 has been break-up.
, Wong Aksan is the drummer for the group Potret, Erwin is the bassist for the group Matadewa & collaborated with various musicians, Yuke joined a supergroup AYLI Project, Ari Lasso develops his solo career & joined AYLI Project, and Once develops his solo career & joined AYLI Project as well.
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band originating from Surabaya
Surabaya
Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city with a population of over 2.7 million , and the capital of the province of East Java...
, East Java
East Java
East Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and includes neighboring Madura and islands to its east and to its north East Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and includes neighboring Madura and...
.
The band was formed in 1986 there have been a number of changes to the lineup and finally they were disbanded in 2011. Their last members lineup were: Ahmad Dhani
Ahmad Dhani
Dhani Ahmad Prasetyo , better known as Ahmad Dhani or Dhani Manaf, is an Indonesian rock musician, songwriter, arranger, and producer. Described as a "rock star", Dhani is the frontman of Dewa 19 and Ahmad Band, and also a member of inter-continental band The Rock...
(keyboard), Andra (guitar), Agung Yudha (drums), Yuke (bass guitar), & Once (vocals).
Beginnings (1986-1991)
Dewa was first formed in 1986 by four students from a junior high school SMPN 6 in SurabayaSurabaya
Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city with a population of over 2.7 million , and the capital of the province of East Java...
. The name Dewa originated as an acronym of the founding members' names: D from Dhani (keyboard, vocals), E from Erwin Prasetya (bass guitar), W from Wawan Juniarso (drums) and A from Andra (guitar). Dewa is also an Indonesian word meaning 'god', or 'deity'. The band was initially based at Wawan's dorm in the Airlangga University complex.
Wanting to take a different direction, Wawan left the band in 1988 and formed Outsider with Ari Lasso
Ari Lasso
Ari Bernardus Lasso , better known as Ari Lasso is an Indonesian musician and former lead vocalist of Dewa 19.-Biography:...
. The name Dewa was changed to Down Beat which became a reasonably well-known name in East Java
East Java
East Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and includes neighboring Madura and islands to its east and to its north East Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and includes neighboring Madura and...
during that time.
When Slank became well-known, Wawan was asked to rejoin Dewa to rejuvenate the band and Ari Lasso was invited too. As the age of the bands members was 19 years at the time, Down Beat was changed to Dewa 19. Due to the lack of a studio that met their requirements in Surabaya, the band was forced to move to Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
where after a number of rejections by record companies, a Dewa 19 master was finally recorded by Team Records.
Mainstream success, line-up instability, & disbanded (1991-2011)
The first album Dewa 19 was released in 1992. Exceeding expectations, the album received awards from BASF in the categories of Best Newcomer and Most Popular Album of 1993. In this album their signature songs are "Kangen" & "Kita Tidak Sedang Bercinta Lagi".During the making of the second album Format Masa Depan which was released in 1994, Wawan left the band again due to incompatibility between the members. After their 1995 album Terbaik-Terbaik which enjoyed sales of more than half a million units was completed, Wong Aksan joined the band as drummer. Wong departed too after the following album Pandawa Lima was finished in 1997 and was replaced by Bimo Sulaksono, a former member of Netral. Not long thereafter Bimo left Dewa 19 and together with Bebi formed the band Romeo.
In addition to the problem of frequent changes to the lineup, Dewa 19 also suffered from the implications of the alleged drug addiction problems of two other band members. Erwin entered a rehabilitation program to end a drug dependency which was ultimately successful. Ari Lasso also experienced drug addiction problem that affected to his vocal difficulties which makes Ari departed from the band in 1999, and Dhani insisted that the vocalist role will be replaced by Once whom he met in 1997. The vacant drummer's seat will be sitted by Tyo Nugros.
In 2000, Dewa made a breakthrough, along with the release time of their fifth album Bintang Lima, the band changed their name from Dewa 19 back to Dewa. Bintang Lima was a huge commercial success, selling over 1.7 million copies in Indonesia. It is the highest selling album in the band's career history. When they recorded the album, Erwin returned to the band as bass guitar player. In this album their signature songs are "Roman Picisan", "Separuh Nafas", "Sayap-sayap Patah", "Risalah Hati", & "Dua Sejoli".
In 2002, Dewa made another breakthrough, following the release of the popular album Cintailah Cinta, but it spawned a controversy. The song "Arjuna Mencari Cinta" was plagued by copyright issues and eventually the band was forced to change the name to "Arjuna" only. Erwin left due to differences with the band's management and was replaced by Yuke Sampurna, former bassist of The Groove. In this album their signature songs are "Pupus", "Arjuna", "Angin", "Bukan Rahasia", & "Kosong".
In 2004, Dewa released a live album entitled Atas Nama Cinta I & II followed by the studio album Laskar Cinta. Later, in the same year Dewa, returned their name to Dewa 19 again.
In 2006, their eighth studio album Republik Cinta
Republik Cinta
Republik Cinta is the 8th studio album by Dewa 19 and was released in January 2006 in Indonesia; the title translates into "Republic of Love"...
was released. The album has spawned three radio hit singles: "Laskar Cinta", "Selimut Hati" and "Sedang Ingin Bercinta".
In 2007, Tyo Nugros left Dewa 19 due to an injury on his leg that made him no longer to play drums. And later he is replaced by Agung Yudha.
In 2011, Ahmad Dhani announced Elfonda 'Once' Mekel has departed on January 19. And then Dhani audited many singers for the next lead vocal candidates of Dewa 19, the strongest candidate for the next vocalist was Judika Sihotang the runner-up winner of 2005 Indonesian Idol
Indonesian Idol
Indonesian Idol is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia Asia, which began airing on RCTI on March 2004. Part of the Idol franchise, it was as a spin-off from the UK show Pop Idol...
singing contest, but later Dhani put Judika into his side project Mahadewa. Eventually, due to each members' activities in their own side projects & Once's departure from the band, there are many rumors spawned stated that Dewa 19 has been break-up, as the band leader Ahmad Dhani stated that Dewa 19 is currently disbanded, Dhani also stated Dewa 19 is not really break-up, but he is not bothered of issues states that Dewa 19 has been break-up.
Side projects & solo careers (2011-present)
Now, each of Dewa 19 members have develops their own side projects. Dhani is now the president & managing his own Republik Cinta (Love Republic) musical Management which produces/manages various artists & groups, he also playing for The Rock (now T.R.I.A.D.) & Mahadewa (which featuring Judika as lead vocal). Meanwhile, Andra playing guitar for his own Andra and The BackBoneAndra and The BackBone
Andra and The BackBone is a rock band from Indonesia and the solo project of Andra Ramadhan, guitarist of the band Dewa 19. Ramadhan also formed part of fellow Dewa band member Ahmad Dhani's Ahmad Band project....
, Wong Aksan is the drummer for the group Potret, Erwin is the bassist for the group Matadewa & collaborated with various musicians, Yuke joined a supergroup AYLI Project, Ari Lasso develops his solo career & joined AYLI Project, and Once develops his solo career & joined AYLI Project as well.
Studio albums
- Dewa 19 (1992)
- Format Masa Depan (1994)
- Terbaik (1995)
- Pandawa Lima (1997)
- Bintang Lima (2000)
- Cintailah Cinta (2002)
- Laskar Cinta (2004)
- Republik CintaRepublik CintaRepublik Cinta is the 8th studio album by Dewa 19 and was released in January 2006 in Indonesia; the title translates into "Republic of Love"...
(2006)
Compilation albums
- The Best of Dewa 19 (1999)
- The Best of Republik Cinta Management (2009)
Members
- Ahmad DhaniAhmad DhaniDhani Ahmad Prasetyo , better known as Ahmad Dhani or Dhani Manaf, is an Indonesian rock musician, songwriter, arranger, and producer. Described as a "rock star", Dhani is the frontman of Dewa 19 and Ahmad Band, and also a member of inter-continental band The Rock...
– Keyboards, Sampling, Rhythm Guitar, Vocals (1986–2011) - Andra – Lead Guitar (1986–2011)
- Once – Lead Vocals (1999–2011)
- Yuke – bass (2002–2011)
- Agung Yudha – drums (2007–2011)
Former members
- Wawan Juniarso – Drums (1986–1988, 1991–1994)
- Erwin Prasetya – Bass (1986–1999, 2001–2002)
- Ari Lasso – Lead Vocals (1991–1999)
- Wong Aksan – Drums (1995–1998)
- Tyo Nugros – Drums (1999–2007)