Formed in late 2001 as the Motives, the band spent most of the following year practicing and performing their own material as well as standards from the Who, Rolling Stones, Hendrix, Kinks, Sex Pistols and the Clash. In early 2003, the band took on a new vocalist, who intensified song writing and performing activities and suggested changing the band's name to THE BRANDALS (or Rascals, in English).

From March to October 2003, the band went into the studio and recorded its debut album. The self-titled and self-produced album was distributed in cassette form by Sirkus Record. More than 7,500 copies were sold, an impressive number for an indie release. (The album was then re-released and re-mastered by Aksara Records on compact disc in 2006.)

The band pursued a guerilla promo strategy of performing at underground gigs and high school music events. Their provocative, disorderly and, some might say, lewd behavior on stage earned the band a reputation that spread beyond their home base of Jakarta. They began to earn critical praise in the press and, in 2004, started touring Java, Bali and Sumatra.

Recording for the second album began in November, 2004. New material was written for the Flystation label and the band finished recording in May, 2005. After a few months of searching for a new distributor, the band hooked up with Warner Music. The major label began nationwide distribution of "Audio Imperialist," a ferocious combination of punk energy and rockabilly rhythms with a hint of country rock. With lyrics about urban life obsessions, decadence, social injustice and romances gone bad, their follow-up album helped the band build up an even larger following.