About Us

M O N T E C R I S T O, formed in early 2007, is a rock band based in Jakarta, Indonesia. The band consists of Eric Martoyo (lead vocal), Rustam Effendy (guitars), Fadhil Indra (piano, keyboards), Haposan Pangaribuan (bass guitars), Alvin Anggakusuma (guitars) and Keda Panjaitan (drums).

The story began in January 2006, when Rustam met Eric at a Dream Theater concert in Singapore. Since then, they have been friends and shared the same interests in music. They often met just to hang out at music community events and discussed many things related to music not only as a product of art but also the concept and perspective behind the words and notes produced in a particular song.

Around March 2007, Rustam asked Eric about forming a band and Eric agreed with the idea. Rustam then asked Fadhil and Posan, his long time friends from the community to join the band. With no further ado, they agreed to join. At the time, they needed a drummer and a second guitar player. Rustam remembered his friend, also from the community - Arie Indrakusuma, and asked him to join the group. Arie agreed and took his younger brother Angga to fill in the vacant position of the second guitar part. Since then, they started rehearsing and playing cover songs from Journey, Whitesnake and Queen to be performed at a radio gig.

After the show, Angga who was still in college in another town, returned his focus on his past due thesis. While Arie, due to the different in perspective with the other members, was replaced by Keda Panjaitan.

The band started to enter the studio in early 2008 to jam together. About Us was the first song they wrote in the studio from a jam session, while the rest were either written individually or collectively by the band members.

NICKNAME(S): ERIC
PLACE & DATE OF BIRTH: KETAPANG, WEST KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA, 20 AUGUST 1963
STATUS: MARRIED
SIBLINGS: 5 SISTERS, 3 BROTHERS
CHILDREN: 1 DAUGHTER
FIRST BAND: TRIBULASKY
OTHER BANDS: -
GEARS: WIRELESS MICROPHONE (SENNHEISER SKM 5200), WIRELESS EAR MONITOR (SHURE PSM 900), VOCAL EFFECT (DIGITECH VOCALIST LIVE 4)
FAVORITE BANDS/ALBUMS: GENESIS/SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND, YES/DRAMA, PINK FLOYD/WISH YOU WERE HERE, LED ZEPPELIN/PHYSICAL GRAFFITI, THE ROLLING STONES/BLACK AND BLUE, DEEP PURPLE/PERFECT STRANGERS, DREAM THEATER/OCTAVARIUM
FAVORITE MOVIES: MIDNIGHT EXPRESS, CASTAWAY, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, THE GODFATHER, EYES WIDE SHUT, HERO, SCHINDLER’S LIST, AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, LION
FAVORITE MEALS: SUSHI & SASHIMI
FAVORITE BOOKS: THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA BY ERNEST HEMINGWAY
RECENT READING: BUSHIDO BY INAZO NITOBE
FAVORITE SONG(S) FROM CELEBRATION OF BIRTH: ANCESTRAL LAND, A ROMANCE OF SERENDIPITY, GARDEN OF HOPE, CELEBRATION OF BIRTH, CRASH.
FAVORITE SONG(S) FROM A DEEP SLEEP: MOTHER NATURE, SIMPLE TRUTH, A DEEP SLEEP, A BLESSING OR A CURSE, POINT ZERO.
FAVORITE MONTECRISTO SONG TO PLAY: CRASH
TV SHOWS: LIFE SERIES BY DAVID ATTENBOROUGH, NO RESERVATION BY ANTHONY BOURDAIN
HOBBIES/INTERESTS: TRAVELLING
SPORTS: SWIMMING, WALKING
FAVORITE ALBUM COVER FROM A BAND: PINK FLOYD/A MOMENTARY LAPSE OF REASON
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: GENESIS, YES, THE ROLLING STONES, DREAM THEATER
FIRST CONCERT EVER SEEN:
WEBSITES: -
SPORT TEAMS: MANCHESTER UNITED
FAVORITE QUOTE: FUCK THE MAINSTREAM
FAVORITE PLACES/CITIES TO VISIT: ALASKA, DUBROVNIK, JURMALA
I WISH MONTECRISTO WOULD COVER THESE SONGS: STEVEN (ALICE COOPER), LAZARUS (PORCUPINE TREE), WITHER (DREAM THEATER)
NICKNAME(S): FADHIL
PLACE & DATE OF BIRTH: JAKARTA, 26 MAY 1967
STATUS: MARRIED
WIFE: YENNY DELIANA RANGKUTI (DELLA RANGKUTI)
CHILDREN: SENNA BIRUTAMA, SH, JUANITA BIAS, SE
FIRST BAND: SEA SERPENT (1981)
OTHER BANDS: DISCUS, ATMOSFERA, KJP, GELAP, MAKARA, OPUS 86
GEARS: KAWAI ES-1 DIGITAL PIANO, ROLAND JD 800
FAVORITE BANDS/ALBUMS: KANSAS LIVE 1978 Two For The Show, KANSAS 1988 In The Spirit of Things, GENTLE GIANT The Missing Piece, STEVE MORSE BAND Full Circle
FAVORITE MOVIES: DANCES WITH WOLVES, STAR WARS (all sequels)
FAVORITE MEALS: SATE AYAM, BURGERS
FAVORITE BOOKS: DR ZHIVAGO, SISTER CARRIE
RECENT READING: HISTORICAL/ANCIENT STORIES
FAVORITE SONG(S) FROM CELEBRATION OF BIRTH: ROMANCE OF SERENDIPITY
FAVORITE SONG(S) FROM A DEEP SLEEP: POINT ZERO
FAVORITE MONTECRISTO SONG TO PLAY: CELEBRATION OF BIRTH
TV SHOWS: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, DISCOVERY CHANNEL
HOBBIES/INTERESTS: FORMULA 1 SPORT, DESIGNING / ARTISTIC MATTERS
SPORTS: BASKETBALL, BOWLING, DIVING
FAVORITE ALBUM COVER FROM A BAND: KANSAS
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: the baroque era, progressive / art rock
FIRST CONCERT EVER SEEN: Deep Purple, Senayan Jakarta, 1974
WEBSITES: -
SPORT TEAMS: -
FAVORITE QUOTE: A GREAT MAN IS ONE’S MAKING ANOTHER TO BE GREAT
FAVORITE PLACES/CITIES TO VISIT: THE BEACH, THE OCEAN, UNDER WATER
I WISH MONTECRISTO WOULD COVER THESE SONGS: Song for America (Kansas), Ground Zero (Kerry Livgren), Into the Lens (Yes)
NICKNAME(S): ANGGA
PLACE & DATE OF BIRTH: JAKARTA / 8 AUGUST 1983
STATUS: MARRIED
SIBLINGS: TWO BROTHERS
CHILDREN: 2
FIRST BAND: METROPOLIS (1999-2001)
OTHER BANDS: MAGNUM OPUS
GEARS: IBANEZ (RG 470 CA & S 620X GK), DIGITECH (RP 355, DIGIDELAY), MXR (SIX-BAND GRAPHIC EQ, MC402 BOOST/OVERDRIVE), BOSS, D'ADDARIO
FAVORITE BANDS/ALBUMS: FREAK KITCHEN/SPANKING HOUR, KANSAS/LEFTOVERTURE
FAVORITE MOVIES: STAR WARS SAGA
FAVORITE MEALS: MIE AYAM (CHICKEN NOODLE)
FAVORITE BOOKS: C++ FOR DUMMIES
RECENT READING: -
FAVORITE SONG(S) FROM CELEBRATION OF BIRTH: FORBIDDEN SONG, ANCESTRAL LAND, ROMANCE OF SERENDIPITY
FAVORITE SONG(S) FROM A DEEP SLEEP: A DEEP SLEEP, MOTHER NATURE, BALLERINA
FAVORITE MONTECRISTO SONG TO PLAY: IN TOUCH WITH YOU
TV SHOWS: WALKING DEAD
HOBBIES/INTERESTS: PLAYING VIDEO GAMES/ MOBILE GAMES
SPORTS: RUNNING
FAVORITE ALBUM COVER FROM A BAND: RUSH/WORKING MAN
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: METALLICA
FIRST CONCERT EVER SEEN: MR. BIG 1996 JAKARTA
WEBSITES: -
SPORT TEAMS: -
FAVORITE QUOTE: TO KNOW THE PLEASURE ONE MUST KNOW THE PAIN
FAVORITE PLACES/CITIES TO VISIT: GANDARIA CITY MALL
I WISH MONTECRISTO WOULD COVER THESE SONGS: YES/ROUNDABOUT, PAIN OF SALVATION/RECONCILIATION
NICKNAME(S): RUSTAM
PLACE & DATE OF BIRTH: JAKARTA, 26 NOVEMBER 1964
STATUS: MARRIED TO SUSILIANA HELMY
SIBLINGS: 4 SISTERS & 3 BROTHERS
CHILDREN: REKSA FAJAR, RAISYA BILQIS
FIRST BAND: COUGAR (1990)
OTHER BANDS: N/A
GEARS: GIBSON LES PAUL STUDIO, WESTONE PRESTIGE 250, ZOOM G9.2TT, DUNLOP CRY BABY SLASH WAH PEDAL
FAVORITE BANDS/ALBUMS: ALL ALBUMS FROM THE ROLLING STONES
FAVORITE MOVIES: JAMES BOND, INDIANA JONES
FAVORITE MEALS: NASI GORENG KAMBING (LAMB FRIED RICE)
FAVORITE BOOKS: ROMAN TETRALOGI BURU BY PRAMOEDYA ANANTA TOER
RECENT READING: THE GOD DELUSION BY RICHARD DAWKINS
FAVORITE SONG(S) FROM CELEBRATION OF BIRTH: CLEAN
FAVORITE SONG(S) FROM A DEEP SLEEP: ALEXANDER
FAVORITE MONTECRISTO SONG TO PLAY: CELEBRATION OF BIRTH
TV SHOWS: ASIAN FOOD CHANNEL & UFC
HOBBIES/INTERESTS: MUSIC
SPORTS: GOLF
FAVORITE ALBUM COVER FROM A BAND: ANYTHING FROM THE ROLLING STONES AND LED ZEPPELIN
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: ROCK & ROLL, PROGRESSIVE
FIRST CONCERT EVER SEEN: SEPULTURA (JAKARTA, 1992)
WEBSITES: N/A
SPORT TEAMS: MANCHESTER CITY
FAVORITE QUOTE: HOW CAN YOU BE AN EAGLE IF YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY CHICKENS
FAVORITE PLACES/CITIES TO VISIT: SINGAPORE
I WISH MONTECRISTO WOULD COVER THESE SONGS: HOT STUFF (THE ROLLING STONES), THE RAIN SONG (LED ZEPPELIN)
NICKNAME(S): POSAN, CHRIS, CHRISTIAN
PLACE & DATE OF BIRTH: JAKARTA, 25 DEC 1972
STATUS: MARRIED
SIBLINGS: 2 BROTHERS
CHILDREN: 2
FIRST BAND: SSS (SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM) & BISCUITS
OTHER BANDS: -
GEARS: ERNIE BALL MUSIC MAN STINGRAY5, WARWICK THUMB BOLT-ON, CARVIN LB-75
FAVORITE BANDS/ALBUMS: TOO MANY TO MENTION… CURRENT FAVORITES ARE SUPERTRAMP’S BREAKFAST IN AMERICA, ZZ TOP’S TRES HOMBRES, JOHN MAYER’S CONTINUUM, WARREN HAYNES’ MAN IN MOTION, TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND’S REVELATOR, DAFT PUNK’S RANDOM ACCESS MEMORIES
FAVORITE MOVIES: TOO MANY TO MENTION… CURRENT FAVORITE IS “LA LA LAND”
FAVORITE MEALS: WENDY’S CHILI SOUP
FAVORITE BOOKS: CURRENT FAVORITE IS “NOT DEAD YET: THE MEMOIR” BY PHIL COLLINS
RECENT READING: “LIFE WITH PICASSO” BY FRANCOISE GILOT
FAVORITE SONG(S) FROM CELEBRATION OF BIRTH: ROMANCE OF SERENDIPITY
FAVORITE SONG(S) FROM A DEEP SLEEP: A DEEP SLEEP, POINT ZERO, RENDEZVOUS
FAVORITE MONTECRISTO SONG TO PLAY: ROMANCE OF SERENDIPITY (FROM COB), A DEEP SLEEP (FROM ADS)
TV SHOWS: THE SIMPSONS
HOBBIES/INTERESTS: PLAYING BASKETBALL
SPORTS: NBA, NFL, MLB
FAVORITE ALBUM COVER FROM A BAND: THE BEATLES/ABBEY ROAD
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: RUSH
FIRST CONCERT EVER SEEN: STEVIE WONDER 1988 IN ANCOL, JAKARTA
WEBSITES: ESPN.COM
SPORT TEAMS: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, SEATTLE MARINERS
FAVORITE QUOTE: “MY ASS MAY BE DUMB, BUT I AINT NO DUMBASS” (SAMUEL L JACKSON IN THE MOVIE “JACKIE BROWN”)
FAVORITE PLACES/CITIES TO VISIT: N.Y.C.
I WISH MONTECRISTO WOULD COVER THESE SONGS: “BREAKFAST IN AMERICA” FROM SUPERTRAMP
NICKNAME(S): KEDA
PLACE & DATE OF BIRTH: MEDAN, 21 DECEMBER 1972
STATUS: MARRIED
SIBLINGS: 4 SISTERS & 2 BROTHERS
CHILDREN: 3 BOYS
FIRST BAND: ENVY SUCK
OTHER BANDS: BAD RADIO
GEARS: TAMA DRUMS
FAVORITE BANDS/ALBUMS: LED ZEPPELIN I-IV
FAVORITE MOVIES: ARMAGEDDON
FAVORITE MEALS: NASI GORENG (FRIED RICE)
FAVORITE BOOKS: BUNG KARNO AUTOBIOGRAPHY
RECENT READING: IHYA ULUMUDDIN
FAVORITE SONG(S) FROM CELEBRATION OF BIRTH: CRASH
FAVORITE SONG(S) FROM A DEEP SLEEP: A DEEP SLEEP
FAVORITE MONTECRISTO SONG TO PLAY: CRASH, ROMANCE, A DEEP SLEEP, SIMPLE TRUTH
TV SHOWS: NEWS, TALK SHOWS
HOBBIES/INTERESTS: SPORTS, TRAVELLING
SPORTS: RUN
FAVORITE ALBUM COVER FROM A BAND: LED ZEPPELIN IV
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: LED ZEPPELIN, WHITESNAKE, MOTLEY CRUE, NIRVANA
FIRST CONCERT EVER SEEN: GOD BLESS
WEBSITES: YOUTUBE
SPORT TEAMS: MANCHESTER CITY, BARCELONA
FAVORITE QUOTE: N/A
FAVORITE PLACES/CITIES TO VISIT: MEDAN
I WISH MONTECRISTO WOULD COVER THESE SONGS: GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS (MOTLEY CRUE), WHOLE LOTTA LOVE (LED ZEPPELIN)