Wealth inequality, corruption: Malaysian rock band’s debut album strikes out at the country’s political system
- Spooky Wet Dreams started writing their first album in 2016 when their dissatisfaction towards the right-wing Barisan Nasional became unbearable
- The album was released at a live show in Kuala Lumpur in front of a crowd described by Ze as “a pit full of tired, angry and fed-up young people”
Tension spread across Malaysia on the night of May 9, 2018, as the nation waited for results of the general election.
Rumours of phantom voters and power outages in some polling stations were rife on Twitter and speculation focused on the possibility that the opposition coalition would finally seize power from the National Front, which had ruled the country since 1957.
“We couldn’t believe it,” says singer Ze Spooky, of the Malaysian rock band Spooky Wet Dreams. The singer says the band members were concerned about their future and safety as their upcoming album was full of satirical tracks that took aim at the country’s political system, “but when Pakatan Harapan won, we were elated”.
Spooky Wet Dreams are made up of Ze (vocals), Nani Zul (rhythm guitar), Matt Liew (lead guitar), Salihin Rizal (bass) and Aqil Nasri (drums). They started writing their first album – “Koleksi Dendangan Untuk Masa Hadapan”, or “A Collection Of Songs For The Future” – in 2016 when their dissatisfaction towards the right-wing Barisan Nasional, led by former prime minister Najib Razak, became unbearable.
“I’ve always had pent up anger towards the previous government but that anger intensified when I was 15 – the year I found my friend shot dead in front of my house by a police officer,” Ze says.
“The album was inspired by real and personal stories of mine and the other band members. I’m the main writer, Nani composed the songs, Salihin and Aqil filled in their parts and Matt produced the record, but the album was written in an unconventional way and is very raw,” Ze says.
The album was released at a live show presented by Urbanscapes, Malaysia’s annual culture, art and music festival held at venues around Kuala Lumpur. The band put on an unforgettable performance in front of a crowd described by Ze as “a pit full of tired, angry and fed-up young people who were trying to decipher their feelings and fathom life’s dilemma”.
The track Elephant In The Room deals with the divide between “us” and “them”, with lyrics such as “F*** them all for their propaganda, f*** them all for spitting in our faces”. When asked who these groups refer to, Ze says, “For ‘them’, I rather have the listeners decide but, the ‘us’ definitely refers to the rakyat [the people].”
In Irama Propaganda, the band criticise the previous government for believing they were omnipotent and that their administration would last for 1,000 years. Ze sings: “The dignity of the youth has been traded and played by those in power/ If you are brave enough, come into the ring and fight with me”.
While Ze easily admits that their debut album is political and satirical, he finds it harder to define the sound of the band, but says bands such as Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Beatles are an inspiration.
As it’s been almost two years since the 14th General Election and the arrival of the age of New Malaysia, is the singer still angry about issues dealt with on the album, such as unemployment and corruption?
“To be frank, I’m not 100 per cent satisfied with the performances of the people I voted for. But that’s why songs like Irama Propaganda about wealth inequality and corruption need to exist as a reminder that they will be sung again if the government goes against the will of the rakyat.”
Koleksi Dendangan Untuk Masa Hadapan is available on Spotify
