Morbid Monke is a dance/post-punk band originating from Denpasar, Bali. The idea first came together on December 9, 2023, and by early 2024 the band officially took shape under the name Morbid Monke.
Morbid Monke’s post-punk style brings a fresh twist to the genre by combining elements of dance groove with psychedelic noise. Their lyrics dive into personal life journeys, expressed through a mix of explicit language, analogies, satire, and playful behavior.
Not for the faint-hearted. Unintended for, or unsuitable ordinary ears. Too weird to live, too rare to die. This is one of the archetypes considered unfit for mass production, especially among the band population of the Bali punk scene. Five monkey kids with crooked grooves in Viagra-fueled joints, frantically dancing, leaping like a pack of sick mutants choking down abstract notes.
It feels tribal, but eventually contemporized through a strange art/post-punk composition blending exploratory experiments of pseudo-jazz trumpet blasts, psychedelic noise dissonance in the form of sneaky guitar licks, and vocals that sound like delirious chants. There’s never been a combo quite like this. With a fresh lineup vocalist Karisma Kele, guitarist Krisna Dwipayana, bassist Deoka, trumpet Dewok, and drummer Gerby. Morbid Monke births the strangest form of a mad-punk rocker in a carnival disco-floor atmosphere.
“If you’re into off-key guitar chords, nerdy rock sounds, awkward-but-witty dance moves like a seizure-struck monkey, Morbid Monke is the punk band you need to consume.” – Rio Tantomo
The name Morbid Monke is derived from two words:
- “Morbid”, from the Latin morbidus (sick), originating from morbus (disease), which in turn stems from mori (to die) or directly from the Proto-Indo-European root mer- (to rub, beat, scrape). In English, “morbid” suggests something frightening, sickly, or grotesque.
- “Monke”, a stylized spelling of monkey, refers to a primitive way of life humorously viewed as ideal — “return to monke.”
Together, Morbid Monke can be interpreted as “a grotesque, sickly, and strange monkey — yet humorous and alive.”
Visually, Morbid Monke is taking the shape as a one-eyed (abnormal) monkey whose body mutates into hybrid forms — part-monkey, parts of other creatures. This visual identity reflects the band’s musical concept: a genre or creature once known, reborn into something strange, sickly, grotesque, yet full of life—fusing psychedelic noise with dance grooves.
Born in the heart of Denpasar, specifically at Blaze/Harmoni Music Studio, Morbid Monke emerged from the desire to bring a fresh atmosphere to Bali’s music scene.
By the end of 2024, Morbid Monke had wrapped up four tracks, which will be later compiled into an EP titled “Feel Alive” — a symbolic birthmark of the Morbid Monke’s presence in Bali’s music scene. The Feel Alive EP is set to be released in 2025.
Below is the journey and discography of Morbid Monke :
- 1st Winner Made in Bali Vol.4 – Judges by Robi Navicula, Marshello The Hydrant & Bo Care Scared Of Bums.
- Berbagigs #2 – PRC Stage, Curator by Dadang Pranoto (Pohon Tua Creatorium, Navicula & Dialog Dini Hari).
- Submit 15 lagu – Regenerasi Bernyali 2025 program by Pohon Tua Creatorium & IM3
- Morbid Monke live at SOYL SHOW , 2025
Discography Morbid Monke
When I Feel Alive (Single)
“Released Due To Audition Requirements Made In Bali Audition Vol.4”
Video Lyric release on Youtube , 19 Oktober 2024
Link : https://youtu.be/zACXmO1yWpM?si=g9DSu2KHydOQnAq5
Loser DogGo! (Single)
“Released Due To Audition Requirements Made In Bali Audition Vol.4”
Video Lyric release on Youtube , 29 Oktober 2024
Link : https://youtu.be/Ib5iXqS1w2o?si=on9B4PLEmzoWgKwi
Eight Ball Feat. Robi Navicula (Single)
Release on Spotify via Made in Bali Compilation Vol.4 by Creamove, 10 February 2025
Link Spotify Morbid Monke Featuring Gede Robi – Eight Ball : https://open.spotify.com/track/0hfvH3YQJzPQ769QIuqwT0?si=saGBmv1aQAytXIJZT0IbqQ&context=spotify%3Aartist%3A3iD3U4VDSbHycNlMALKx1G
Video Lyric release on Youtube , 16 February 2025
Link Morbid Monke Featuring Gede Robi – Eight Ball (Official Lyric Video) : https://youtu.be/RguCpsqLA7E?si=oSAV1zP6ATeKzfDD
Morbid Monke live at SOYL SHOW
Link : https://youtu.be/QH4UYvdfadw?si=TEGi71c0V05ksYID
Feel Alive ( EP )
Exclusive release only on CD at Record Store Day Bali 2025 , 26 April 2025
Limited CD only 6 pcs with numbered print & no repeat production.
Now CD available at Tektonik Records , Jalan Tukad Musi – Renon, Denpasar
Maxi Single ( Eight Ball Feat. Robi Navicula & Dinasti Matahari – Navicula Cover )
Exclusive release only on CD at Record Store Day Bali 2025 , 26 April 2025
Limited CD only 6 pcs with numbered print & no repeat production.
Now CD available at Tektonik Records , Jalan Tukad Musi – Renon, Denpasar
When I Feel Alive (Single)
Released on Spotify via Dirt & Dust Records, 18 July 2025
Spotify Link : https://open.spotify.com/album/498XwWxogUvCKnpvBtDIbt?si=Ye-PiyP0RBu7_9jPmYQFMA
When I Feel Alive (Single) – Music Video