UPDATE: An earlier post incorrectly implied that Hassan is still a member of POPO. The post has been revised to correct that.
Over the last few months, half a dozen people have told me that I had to check out POPO, a band based in Philadelphia and composed of the three Malik brothers: Zeb, Shoaib and Hassan (who has since left the band). These guys have been around the music scene for a while, their sound has been called “post-hip-hop,” a fusion of punk, hip-hop and world music. In 2007, they opened for Nine Inch Nails and this past year, they signed with Mad Decent records, the record label created by Diplo (who once collaborated with and dated M.I.A.) According to the story, Diplo saw POPO play at a club in Atlanta and was so excited by their music that he detonated a firecracker onstage and was thrown out by the management. I caught up with 24-year old Hassan Ali Malik, POPO’S former drummer and sometimes-vocalist to ask him a little about his time with the band.
Is the band called “The PoPo” or “POPO”? The Internet has a lot of variations….
It went from “The popo’s” to “The PoPo” to “POPO.” Next will maybe be just “PO.” Or “poo poo.”
When did POPO begin?
The popos ( now “POPO”) was started by Jahan Zeb and Mike Collins in the late nineties. They played reggae.
How was the name POPO chosen?
POPO? I didn’t, but it stuck ‘cause we liked the way it sounded phonetically. Doesn’t really have anything to do with the police or anything…
How long have you lived in Philadelphia?
About the last two years officially.
Where did you live before?
I was still in Philly, just didn’t really have a home. I was bouncing around between places in and out of the city: our practice space in Fishtown, my cousins in West Philly, my parents in the ‘burbs and with friends around Temple University.
Were you born here or in Pakistan?
I was born in America, right outside Philly, first generation. My oldest sister was the only one born in Pakistan, out of the five kids in our family.
How has living in Philadelphia affected your art?
I think the weather here affects my art most. I feel like the weather can affect the mood or style of your music. It affects my style of clothing for sure. I’m sure if I lived on a warm tropical island it would come through in my music somehow, whether good or bad. We get all types of weather imaginable here in Philly. The harsh winters toughen you up though. I would never want to live somewhere where the weather was perfect all the time, like L.A. I’d turn into a pussy.
How, if at all, does your religious background and upbringing affect your music?
I’d say its affected it a ton. I went to a Catholic school from Pre-K till 6th grade. I would also go to Islamic school on Sundays. I’m basically a Catholic Muslim according to my upbringing. it was pretty confusing at times but looking back on it I’m glad I got to experience both. I probably wouldn’t be doing music if I hadn’t. I got made fun of a lot for having Rage Against the Machine and Manson stickers on my binder, but that just made me like what I liked even more. Everyone else was into Dave Mathews band and shit. I had one best friend all throughout Catholic school. Jack McClatchy. He played guitar and got me into a lot of good music. He could even pronounce my name right. I hope I meet Dave Mathews one day so I can tell him how shitty his audience is.
Your musical inspirations?
It’s all inspiring really. Even music I don’t like inspires me to not suck. Growing up I listened to a lot of early hip hop and Bollywood soundtracks my mom would listen too and later got real into the whole grunge thing. Lately, actors have been more inspiring then musicians and the idea of playing a role to go with the music is something I enjoy trying to do. I try to get as close to the music as possible.
Your parents’ opinion on your music?
They think it’s lame.
Do you and your brothers ever fight?
Yeah. You can’t expect to be in a punk band with your brothers and not have fights.
How does your relationship affect your music?
The more we fight, the cooler the music gets, haha.
Any desi influences in your music?
Yeah, there definitely is here and there but not so much on purpose. I’d really like to get my hands on some instruments like tablas or a sitar.
Your favorite desi music?
The soundtrack for the movie Khal Nayak is definitely one of my favorites.
What you do when you’re not playing music?
I like to play table tennis, Tetris, hacky sack. I like going to thrift shops when I have money. I like experimenting with my video camera. I like to hang out with my dog and dig.
You’ve since left POPO to pursue other interests. What kind of music are you working on now?
I did stuff under the name HAMSTAR for a while, which was a grungy rap thing. I plan on bringing him back to life. I’ve been doing shows lately as Sunny Ali, Goth Western kind of thing. I wanted to hibernate for the winter and get away from the whole scene I was around, try to start something fresh. I’d like to do as many projects and make as much music as possible before I die.
(h/t Taz)
