Malaysia’s rich music culture part 4: Haji Rock

Culture as identity

Veteran Rock Bank Lefthanded

The classic definition of “Haji Rock” is a middle-aged Malay male who has performed his Haj, returned to Kuala Lumpur, and still frequents entertainment venues. The term Haji Rock was slightly derogatory in the sense that someone has taken the expense and trouble to perform the Haj and therefore start the preparation for death and passing to the next world, but is still practicing all their past youthful and needles to say, ‘sinful’ habits.

However, there is a much deeper culture behind the term than what is explained above.

Anyone who could be described as a ‘Haji Rock” is most probably a boomer or early Gen X Malay who studied overseas in either the UK, Australia, or the US, and acquired an appreciation for classic rock and roll during their stay. These people returned to Malaysia after their studies with rock and roll in their hearts. Rock and roll is the soul link to their time away from Malaysia. Back in Malaysia it very much became a shared experience among this generation.

Their favour music is that of Deep Purple, The Doors, CCR, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, and the rest. This culture never left them and some of these rock groups still make tours to Malaysia where the old Malay rock culture becomes alive again for a few hours.

Often local authorities would make stipulations such as members of the band must wear hats when they perform to hide their long hair.

Some within this age cohort also embraced the big bike culture, where group travel to exotic locations in Malaysia and Southern Thailand have become very common.

Culturally, this Malay cohort is very different from Malay educated people, and those who studied in the Middle East. Even the way this group writes formal Malay is very different in syntax to the Malay educated.

This old Malay cohort inspired the next generation of musicians to adopt rock and roll as a form of music expression. Some bands like “Lefthanded” adopted a Malay heavy rock style.

However, much of Malay rock (not punk), tends to be slow rock and full of lyrics about love. Many see these songs as depressive, as there are many lyrics about loss. However, Malay rock highlights the importance of love and the heart to life. Its not uncommon to see Malay couples where the wife is a highly paid corporate executive, while the husband may be a blue-collar worker. Such is the Malay heart as expressed in the music.

Just in the last day or so, PAS has warned about organizing concerts, calling on Muslims to oppose such events. According to PAS official Fadhli Shaari, concerts invite the “wrath of Allah.”

The Haji Rock culture is now a disappearing segment of Malay society.

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