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.
Kamar Gelap
Efek Rumah Kaca Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
tidak punah jadi sejarah
yang bicara adalah cahaya
dikonstruksi dikomposisi
padam semua lampu
semua lampu
Membekukan yang cair
jangan kabur berjamur
segala negatif menuju positif
kekal...
The lyrics of Efek Rumah Kaca's song Kamar Gelap are quite interesting and thought-provoking. The opening line, "Ang kau jerat adalah riwayat, tidak punah jadi sejarah" translates to "What you hang is a history, not extinct into the past." This line suggests that one's actions and decisions have a significant impact on the course of history and that they are not easily forgotten. It is a reminder that we all have a responsibility to be mindful of our actions and how they can affect the future.
The next line, "Yang bicara adalah cahaya, dikonstruksi dikomposisi" translates to "What speaks is light, constructed and decomposed." This line suggests that everything in life is fleeting and temporary, and that we should not cling onto things too tightly. It can be interpreted as a reminder to let go of the past and embrace the present moment.
The following lines, "Padam semua lampu, semua lampu, membekukan yang cair, mencairkan yang beku, jangan kabur berjamur, segala negatif menuju positif, kekal..." translate to "Turn off all the lights, all the lights, freeze what is liquid, thaw what is frozen, don't get moldy, all negatives lead to positives, eternal..." These lines suggest a theme of transformation and change, and the idea that even negativity can lead to positive outcomes. The final word "eternal" could be interpreted as a reminder that everything is impermanent and constantly changing.
Line by Line Meaning
Ang kau jerat adalah riwayat
The trap you set is a story, not fading into history.
Tidak punah jadi sejarah
It will endure and become part of history.
Yang bicara adalah cahaya
The one that speaks is the light.
Dikonstruksi dikomposisi
Deconstructed and composed again.
Padam semua lampu, semua lampu
All the lights are turned off, all of them.
Membekukan yang cair
Freezing what is liquid.
Mencairkan yang beku
Melting what is frozen.
Jangan kabur berjamur
Don't blur and grow fungi.
Segala negatif menuju positif
All negativity turns into positivity.
Kekal...
Eternal...
Contributed by Jayce T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.