As the trio made music and played gigs, they quickly gained popularity. Their contribution for the J.K.T.S.K.R.G compilation from Aksara Records marked the need for a drummer and bass player. At this point, the band had felt that their music had grown from a 3 piece sound based band to a spacey, ambient layered analog band. Thus, they asked Amir (a.k.a Kuro) to play drums, and Yudi (a.k.a Sideburns) to play bass. In November 2003, the five of them performed together for the first time in Aksara Bookstore in Kemang.
In 2005, ZATPP (as the band is also known) contributed 3 of their pieces to the soundtrack of the film "Joni's Promise", including a song called “Mighty Love” which was credited to their alter-ego band Salvatore Mamadou. The film became a major success, causing a huge surge in popularity for ZATPP. In March 2005, ZATPP released their first EP, “Unrescued World”. This EP, with a total of four songs, sold out very quickly after it was released. The popularity of "Unrescued World" generated a lot of buzz, and large numbers of followers. Zeke and the Popo went on to perform at “Les Voila 2005”, in Bandung, Indonesia, which also featured some prominent local acts like Mocca and the S.I.G.I.T.
In November 2006, ZATPP once again contributed a song to the original soundtrack of “6:30”, a film directed by Rinaldy Puspoyo. ZATPP performed with their contemporaries, NAIF and Pure Saturday, at the official movie launch. Aside from being a central part of ZATPP, Zeke was also a composer of a film score and a music director of “KALA”, directed by Joko Anwar (Director of "Joni's Promise".) Zeke also directed the Space in the Headlines’ music video, following a film education in London. As of 2007, Zeke has successfully launcheda “KALA” original soundtrack along with the Zeke and the Popo debut album, “Space in the Headlines” under Black Morse Records. The first single released from the “KALA” original soundtrack was “Hope Killer”, which is also recognized as the teaser for “Space in the Headlines”. In Space in the Headlines, ZATPP offers richer and more organic sounds compared to their previous EP. However, for listeners, it wouldn't be hard to recognize the trademark spacey soundscape that bas become ZATPPesque. Zeke and the Popo is known throughout the local independent music scene because of their unique sound, arrangements, and stage act. They always have brought along their own visual for display each time they perform, which helps people remember them as a one-of-a-kind visual sound band.
Hope Killer
Zeke and the Popo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By the killing spree
The Mystery Man has arrived
When he sees the police appear
He starts to behave so strangely
And he attracts suspicion
It's just another one of those things
It's just another one of those nights
Hope killer only strikes at two
Hope killer he has come for me and you
Smoke a cigarette till everybody's dead
One point one trillion of regrets
Paint this town in red
Here comes the law
Run for your life
Ask a stranger for help
She starts to scream
Chasing in rain
He hits the ground
There goes the train
August thirteen guess what the headline's print
The police woman shoot down the wrong man
Hope Killer
Strikes again at two
Hope Killer
They still haven't got a clue
Smoke a cigarette till everybody's dead
One point one trillion of regrets
Paint this town in red
The lyrics of "Hope Killer" by Zeke and the Popo tells a story of a city being terrorized by a killer called "The Mystery Man." Despite the police's efforts, they cannot figure out the identity of the killer. The lyrics suggest that the killer behaves strangely and attracts suspicion when the police appear. People are warned about the crimes of the killer, which creates a public frenzy. The chorus of the song repeats the phrases "Hope killer only strikes at two/ Hope killer he has come for me and you/ Smoke a cigarette till everybody's dead/ One point one trillion of regrets/ Paint this town in red," highlighting the sense of despair and destruction that the killer brings.
The lyrics reveal that the killer strikes again while the police are chasing him in the rain, and a police officer shoots down the wrong man on August 13. The song talks about the killer's ability to cause chaos, hopelessness, and destruction in the society. The lyrics "Paint this town in red" suggests a violent and bloody end to the killings.
Overall, the song appears to be commenting on the sense of helplessness and hopelessness that can arise when we face unsolved crimes and the inability of law enforcement to provide protection or justice.
Line by Line Meaning
The city is being terrorized
The city is experiencing intense fear due to a dangerous situation
By the killing spree
There has been a series of murders causing the city's terror
The Mystery Man has arrived
A suspicious person, unknown to the authorities, has emerged
When he sees the police appear
The Mystery Man reacts oddly upon spotting the arrival of law enforcement
He starts to behave so strangely
The Mystery Man begins to act in a peculiar manner
And he attracts suspicion
The Mystery Man's strange behavior draws attention from the authorities
It's just another one of those things
This situation is not unique or unexpected
It's just another one of those nights
This is another typical night in the midst of the city's terror
The WARNING of the crime creates a public frenzy
The announcement of the crimes causes intense excitement among the citizens
Hope killer only strikes at two
The serial killer targets specific types of victims
Hope killer he has come for me and you
The killer may target anyone, including listeners of this song
Smoke a cigarette till everybody's dead
A reference to apathy or nihilism in the face of danger
One point one trillion of regrets
A metaphorical expression for the enormity of remorse in the aftermath of tragedy
Paint this town in red
A phrase used to describe the bloodshed and violence occurring in the city
Here comes the law
The police are arriving on the scene
Run for your life
The situation is so dire that fleeing is necessary for survival
Ask a stranger for help
In a time of desperation, one might rely on the kindness of random individuals
She starts to scream
A reaction to an ongoing attack, conveying the severity of the situation
Chasing in rain
A pursuit taking place in unfavorable conditions, adding to the danger
He hits the ground
A consequence of the chase, where one person is brought down
There goes the train
A metaphor for a situation having run its course
August thirteen guess what the headline's print
A specific date in which a significant event occurred, hinted to be a disastrous one
The police woman shoot down the wrong man
A tragedy resulting from a mistake made by the law enforcement authorities
Hope Killer strikes again at two
The killer continues their spree with more targeted victims
Hope Killer They still haven't got a clue
The authorities remain unable to apprehend the killer
Smoke a cigarette till everybody's dead
A repeated allusion to apathy or nihilism in the face of danger
One point one trillion of regrets
A repetition of the metaphorical enormity of remorse in the aftermath of tragedy
Paint this town in red
A repeated use of a phrase to describe the bloodshed and violence occurring in the city
Contributed by Josiah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.