The Paps

The Paps

The Paps are a reggae group from Bandung, Indonesia, formed in 2003. The band emerges from Bandung’s underground scene at a time when reggae has little local representation and the city’s ska scene has recently ended. Their early line-up brings together Dave on vocals, Eric on bass, Ganjar on drums, Aii on guitar, and Sarjana on guitar. Dave and Eric choose the name The Paps, using an Indonesian slang term for rolling papers.

Formation and line-up changes

Eric, a sculpture student at an art school in Bandung, approaches Dave about forming a band. Ganjar comes from the same campus as Eric, while Aii plays in the anarcho-punk band Keparat and Sarjana comes from a rock and roll band. Later, lead guitarist Sagiet joins, along with Dimas, after Sarjana returns to his original band and Aii leaves music. In 2008, Eric and Dimas leave; Andri joins on bass and Daniel, the band’s former manager, takes over guitar duties. The verified membership places Dave as a current member.

Recordings and releases

The Paps release their first single, “Life Is A Big Joke”, on the Bandung Miller Time Compilation in 2004. The following year they contribute “Hang Loose Baby” to Indonesian Reggae Revolution, described as the first Indonesian reggae compilation, issued under 267records. They begin recording their first album, also titled Hang Loose Baby, in 2006. The album appears on Zyape O Zyure Records and combines reggae with psychedelic dub and elements of soul jazz. The title had already been used for their second single.

Activity and context

Across more than a decade of activity, The Paps perform regularly in Bandung and elsewhere in Indonesia, often alongside friends and members of the local Jamaican sound community. Their performances extend to cities including Makassar, Surabaya and Jakarta, and they become part of the wider Indonesian reggae scene that develops from Bandung’s underground music culture.