Padi

Formed at Airlangga University in Indonesia, Padi (then known as Soda) performed their first show in 1996. The name change occurred a year later -- it was meant to symbolize the band's humility, as the word means rice, which is a symbol of modesty -- and by 1999, the band had a deal and an album in stores. The deal, which was signed after a rep from Sony caught a performance at a pub, led to a successful appearance on a various-artists compilation. The debut, Lain Dunia, was followed by Sesuatu Yang Tertunda in 2001. Selling nearly 500,000 copies, the band solidified its standing with the mega-hit single "Kasih Tak Sampai." Their next album, Save My Soul, would be even bigger, hitting the half-a-million sales mark its first week after release. Padi released their fourth, self-titled, album in 2005. There have also been a handful of compilation appearances for the group, including a 2002 World Cup album contribution, "Work of Heaven." ~ Chris True.