The Bumpy Track Band of Laksbay in Kavieng, New Ireland Province was first formed by William Gurumang and Timothy Toketa and the youths from Lakurumau village in Kavieng District back in the year 2000.
William and Timothy are now in their forties but their interest in music started off in the late 90s.
The band was inspired by other local bands like Azzimba, Dirty Beggars, Barike and local artists like K-Dumen and Anslom.
“Mostly it was Papua New Guinea musicians and how the music evolution was changing throughout the years that has had a great influence on our music,” said William.
“Because most of the well-known studios were in Port Moresby and other centers, it was very difficult for the both of us when it came to producing music,” William added.
Unfortunately, William said that throughout the years, the band members had other plans outside of music and also some of the major challenges that they were faced with included finance and instruments to hire when hosting gigs.
“We had been performing in schools and villages on hire basis but because we were hiring musical instruments, it was also creating a financial burden. However, Timothy and I carried on with the band,” added William.
Future plans for the band include being able to motivate the youths to tap into the music industry by engaging them in musical activities.
William said that his band is truly grateful to the Governor of New Ireland Province for stepping in to assist their little band with much needed musical instruments to help them produce more music and to influence more youths to enter into the music industry.
“With the timely donation of musical instruments last weekend from Governor Sir Julius Chan, we will now be able to engage with youths from the community in positive ways and to bring change through music.”
“We are a village band and we hardly get any recognition but it is our aim that one day we will be recognized as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry,” said William.
William said he was also inspired to tap into the music industry by his friends and his wife and kids who are now listening to latest PNG music who have told him to continue what he had started,” said William.
The Bumpy Track Band have released a song titled ‘Corruption’ and the song was written by one of William’s brothers.
“We both spent a good time together in prison some years ago and so he gave me permission to record it with his full blessings,” added William.
The song ‘Corruption’ was recorded under Bay Track Records.
“I would like to dedicate this song to all prisoners around prisons across Papua New Guinea.
“The song is also dedicated to the Jaran family in Port Moresby, the Kara Naliks around PNG, my family in Lae at Bumayong, Vanimo, Malaguna and Raluana in East New Britain and my wife and kids at Kavieng,” William said.