The band formed in 2001 with five members, but in 2003 became a trio. The band's name at first was Hush, then Superego. They finally chose the name Efek Rumah Kaca after the release of their first album in 2007.
They have said that music is their lives; what has happened in their lives is reflected in their music. They also have been described as a pop band with social and political messages in their lyrics. Their music is influenced by variety of music genres, including swing, jazz, rock, and a cappella.
In 2007, they released Efek Rumah Kaca and the album sold more than 5,000 copies. Two singles of this album are "Di Udara" (English: On Air) which tells the death of Munir Said Thalib and "Cinta Melulu" (English: Always Love) as a criticism of the increasing prevalence of insipid love songs in Indonesia.
In 2008, they released their second album Kamar Gelap (English: Dark Room). Among the tracks from this album are "Jangan Bakar Buku" (English: Don't Burn Books), "Kenakalan Remaja di Era Informatika" (English: Teenage Mischief in the Information Era) and "Mosi Tidak Percaya" (English: Motion of Distrust).
They will release their third album in September 2011; they have said that it will not be a "friendly" album.
In May 2010, they founded a label, Jangan Marah Records (English: Don't Be Angry Records), hoping to accommodate creative bands that are not accepted by major labels.
Jalang
Efek Rumah Kaca Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nanti akan dikebiri
Siapa yang berani menari
Nanti kan di suntik mati
Karena mereka, paling suci
Lalu mereka bilang kami jalang
Karena kami, beda misi
The lyrics of Efek Rumah Kaca's song Jalang speak to the societal pressures and expectations placed upon individuals to conform to established norms and values. The lyrics suggest that those who dare to deviate from these norms will be punished, either through public humiliation or even physical harm ('dikebiri' and 'disuntik mati'). The use of violent language highlights the severity of the consequences of such deviance and the power that those who enforce conformity wield over those who do not comply.
The song goes on to describe how those who enforce these norms often view themselves as morally superior to those who do not conform, even labeling them as 'jalang', or prostitutes. This label is used to further demean and discredit those who do not comply with societal expectations. The lyrics suggest that these individuals are merely following a different mission or set of values than those who enforce conformity, and that this difference is not a reflection of their moral character or worth as human beings.
Overall, the song Jalang is an exploration of the pressures and consequences associated with challenging established societal norms and values, and the ways in which those who enforce conformity may view and treat those who do not comply. It is a poignant commentary on the struggles and dangers of being true to oneself in a society that values conformity above all else.
Line by Line Meaning
Siapa yang berani bernyanyi
Anyone who dares to sing
Nanti akan dikebiri
Will be castrated
Siapa yang berani menari
Anyone who dares to dance
Nanti akan di suntik mati
Will be injected to death
Karena mereka, paling suci
Because they are the purest
Lalu mereka bilang kami jalang
Then they call us sluts
Karena kami, beda misi
Because we have a different mission
Lalu mereka bilang kami jalang
Then they call us sluts
Contributed by Kayla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.