Some of the rock musicians in Pekik at its launch
Some of the rock musicians in Pekik at its launch

KUALA LUMPUR: Once deemed a negative influence on youth, independent rock music has had a colourful, four-decade history worthy of a biopic.

That biopic will premiere on Astro First on April 1 and is titled Pekik (Scream).

A production of Stereo Pixels Sdn Bhd aided by MyCreative Ventures, it tells the story of Malaysian "indie" rock music from the point of view of its pioneer soloists and bands.

Producer and director Fareeq Alias said that Pekik was meticulously crafted by a team of longtime musicians, gig organisers and concert staff.

The two-hour documentary film shows dozens of interviews with independent rock musicians old and new, and footage of major concerts involving these bands over the decades.

"A reunion of sorts for independent rock's veterans such as Aru Peruzza of Koffin Kanser, Radhi of OAG and Fathul of Spiral Kinetic Circus, it features a newly-recorded soundtrack with over a dozen songs by various groups," he said, adding that filming took place over a year beginning in 2021.

The featured bands and artistes include Loque of Monoloque, Emmett of Butterfingers, Azmyl Yunor, Izzat Uzaini of Hujan, Tam of Blind Tribe and Sekumpulan Orang Gila.

Pekik was launched at the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) in Hulu Klang today by Finas chairman Datuk Kamil Othman.

Pekik is also available on Astro On Demand and Astro Go.

For more information visit https://pekik.stereopixels.com