The Adams is an Indonesian indie rock band formed in 2002. The band currently consists of Ario Hendarwan (guitar, vocals), Saleh "Ale" Husein (guitar, vocals), and Gigih Suryoprayogo "Kiting" Setiadi (drums).
History
After a number of jam sessions together, Ario Hendarwan (guitar, vocals), Martino "Tino" Runtuh Aku (guitar), Setyo Dwiharso (bass) and Bawono "Beni" Adhiantoro (drums) formed Lonely Band during their studies at the Jakarta Institute of Arts in 2002.[1] Not long after the band changed their name to the Adams, Tino and Setyo departed, being replaced by Saleh "Ale" Husein (also of White Shoes & the Couples Company) on guitar and vocals as well as Bimo Dwipoalam on drums, with Beni now on bass.
In 2004, the Adams contributed a track "Mosque of Love" to a compilation album, JKT:SKRG initiated by independent record label Aksara Records.[2] Their appearance on the album caught the attention of film producer Nia Dinata, who invited them to work on the soundtrack of Janji Joni, Joko Anwar's directorial debut film.[3] The band contributed two tracks to the soundtrack, "Konservatif" and "Waiting".[4] The band's self-titled debut album was released on 15 June 2005 under Aksara Records, featuring "Konservatif" and "Waiting". The former was ranked 136th on the list of "The 150 Greatest Indonesian Songs of All Time", compiled by Rolling Stone Indonesia.[5]
At the end of 2005, founding member Beni left the Adams to focus on drumming for his other band, the Upstairs. Bimo, wanting to continue his education in Bali, also departed. They were replaced by Karon 'N Roll guitarist Arfan "Apoy" (bass) and Gigih Suryoprayogo "Kiting" Setiadi (drums, vocals) from It's Different Class. Additionally, touring musician Retiara "Kaka" Haswidya (keyboards, vocals) became an official member of the band. In 2006, the band released their sophomore album titled V2.05, featuring singles "Halo Beni" and "Hanya Kau". The album was ranked 112th by Rolling Stone Indonesia on the list of "The 150 Greatest Indonesian Albums of All Time".[6] Around 2010, the band went on an extended period of inactivity, due to the members focusing on other projects.
The Adams returned in 2014 after an encounter with Morfem guitarist Pandu Fathoni convinced Kiting to get the band back together. With Pandu replacing Apoy on bass, the band would go on to perform for the first time in almost four years at the Jaya Pub in Jakarta. In 2017, they released an extended play titled ß Release, consisting of b-sides and a cover of Naif's "Jikalau", which previously appeared on a 2007 tribute album called Mesin Waktu: Teman-Teman Menyanyikan Lagu Naif.[7] On 8 January 2018, Kaka died due to illness.
Now with Citra "Ciwi" Winitya from L'Alphalpha on keyboards and vocals, the Adams released new material for the first time in twelve years on Record Store Day 2018 with the single "Pelantur".[8] In 2019, Ciwi asked to leave the band to spend more time with her family. On 15 March 2019, the band independently released their third studio album Agterplaas, with Ghina Salsabila replacing Ciwi on keyboards and vocals.[9] In an interview with Pophariini, Ale revealed that Agterplaas was "The Adams' most difficult album".[10] The song "Dalam Doa" from the album is dedicated to Kaka, as well as Ale's late mother. A 45-minute documentary film about the making of the album titled Masa-Masa: Sebuah Dokumenter Pembuatan Agterplaas, directed by Cakti Prawirabishma, was released alongside the album's box set.[11]
At the start of 2024, it was announced that Pandu and Ghina would depart the Adams to pursue other projects.[12] In September 2024, jazz musician Ardhito Pramono featured in some tour dates on guitar and vocals, filling in for an absent Ale.
