Zeke and the Popo began as a side project from Zeke Khaseli (vocals, piano … Read Full Bio ↴Zeke and the Popo began as a side project from Zeke Khaseli (vocals, piano & guitar from the band LAIN) in 2003. Zeke asked Leonardo Ringo (a.k.a Mugeni) to jam; the two immediately noticed a distinct musical chemistry between them. Not long after, the two asked Iman Fattah (a.k.a Babyfaced), also from the band LAIN, to join them on the synthesizer.

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.

profesor komodo
Zeke and the Popo Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Dari hidup sampai mati
Bukannya sombong tapi ku bohong
Bicara dgn lampu mati
Lampu hidup aku mati
(Harmonica)
Pengalaman di bangun tidur
Mempengaruhi hidupku
Setinggi langit

Kembali ke rumah yang kosong
Kalau penuh itu dosa
Itu biasa aku tak papa
Diputar dan diputar lagi
Dari hidup sampai mati
(Semoga kamu semua basi)
Pengalaman di bangun tidur

Mempengaruhi hidupku
Setinggi langit

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Zeke and the Popo's song "Profesor Komodo" express an introspective and reflective tone, depicting the emotions of the singer as he contemplates his life from birth until death. He acknowledges that he is not proud of all his actions, and admits to lying at times. The use of paradox, such as talking with a dead light and a live light being out, adds to the mysterious, dreamlike essence of the song.

The song speaks of experiences that impact the singer's life, ones that are as high as the sky, but also simple day-to-day experiences upon waking up. The line "Kembali ke rumah yang kosong, kalau penuh itu dosa, itu biasa aku tak papa" ("Returning to an empty home, if it's full, it's sinful, it's nothing I care about") is a poignant reflection on the importance of solitude, and the absence of external distractions in allowing oneself to focus on personal growth. Finally, the repetition of the phrase "Dari hidup sampai mati" ("From birth until death") emphasizes the song's theme of examining one's life in its entirety.

Line by Line Meaning

Dari hidup sampai mati
Throughout my entire life, from birth until death

Bukannya sombong tapi ku bohong
I'm not arrogant, but I lie

Bicara dgn lampu mati
Talking to a dead light

Lampu hidup aku mati
My light is dead when it's on

(Harmonica)
Instrumental break with a harmonica

Pengalaman di bangun tidur
The experience of waking up

Mempengaruhi hidupku
Influences my life

Setinggi langit
As high as the sky

Kembali ke rumah yang kosong
Returning to an empty home

Kalau penuh itu dosa
If it's full, it's a sin

Itu biasa aku tak papa
It's normal and I don't care