Has anyone not yet seen The Zozi?

For those scene get-uppers out there, you might have caught them at a show or two. Their unique blend of Indie, Malay Rock and even Dangdut has amassed a small but much appreciated fan base here. It’s no wonder they are getting a lot of playtime at gigs nationwide.

The quartet are Naz, Syak, Taugay and Afiq.

I caught up with them after their crazy performance at the official opening for Cosmic, a brand new clothing label, setting up ship in the alleyways of Haji Lane.

Mon: Howzit going, compadres! Let start with the question that has been in everyone’s minds… What is the deallio with the quirky band name?

Naz: Well, the real story was, nothing really. Haha. We first out with even weirder band names, like the Four Ninjas, Ninja Kids and even Handsome Beast. In the end, we felt comfortable with The Zozi. It just describes us. Weird.

Mon: I reckon it must have been a crazy time since day one.

Syak: It’s been two years and worth every minute of it.

Mon: In three words, describe your music.

ALL: Satirical Chemical Rock!

Mon: You guys have elevated the scene to a new level. Some people think you could be the next answer to Force Vomit. What do you guys think of that?

Taugay: That’s definitely too much to bestow on us! Haha. Actually, we all have basically similar roots. We make music fit for a Malay wedding and our music reflects life in Lion City generally. But that’s where our similarity ends, man. We make music not to spawn copycats of mainstream acts on the radio or MTV like some bands but get that local sound out to airwaves. Make us heard!

Mon: True enough. That is a noble cause. Okay, if The Zozi can have an animated character join you guys as a bandmate, who would you pick?

Naz: Give us Squidward with a clarinet!

Taugay: Patrick ah! An extra guitar player!

Mon: Maybe both? I wouldn’t mind seeing them in Zozi! Alright, what would be the dream venue to perform?

Afiq: I will love it if we could play at the platform at Marina Barrage. With the flying fish as our audience!

Mon: What would life be without The Zozi in your life?

Naz: We’d still lepak, chill out like there’s no tomorrow, digging each other’s music. But it’s a cold place to live in without The Zozi though.

Mon: Has the success of `Hilamony’ translated into good sales for the release?

Afiq: It’s been awesome. We never imagine getting everyone to hear our music, let alone sell our CD. But it’s been good.

Mon: So, have you gotten any strange requests from would-be groupies? Do chicks dig your music?

Naz: I wouldn’t comment much about it, haha. Intellectual chicks, maybe.  Girls in glasses are hot.

Mon: Ditto to that! Okay, if you could throw in a question to your fans, what would you guys ask?

Taugay: Can I have your name please?

Mon: Last words for SoundSGood.sg?

Syak: May the evening star rise up and shine its brilliance on SoundSGood.sg. Majulah SoundSGood.sg. Go big, let’s go!

>> monstARR!!

Photos by: Danial Haris