The scene: Around 1:00 am at Le Poisson Rouge following a questionable “performance” by an emcee turned opening act. Popo takes the stage benefiting from a bar set well low. But wait;  they’re funny… and tall… and talented.

Launching head first into their super fast power-chord heavy set, the crowd quickly congregates and warms to the Philly duo. Popo originally constituted as a fraternal trio lead by eldest brother Zeb on vocals, followed by Shoaib on guitar, and Hassan, the youngest, on drums and guitar. The band now faces its promising future as a duo. When asked about the current line up and the absence of Hassan at their latest show at Le Poisson Rouge in New York Zeb said “All I can say is that he is on an indefinite hiatus. This has happened so recently that I cant really elaborate just yet, I have to see how things play out this month. It seems however that this will probably be permanent.”

The band formed in the Summer of 2008 and befriended Atlanta based band Dark Meat. Popo made a fortuitous trek down to Athens, GA to do a set with Dark Meat and Diplo just so happened to be in the audience. No doubt amused by what he saw, Diplo quickly signed the group to his label Mad Decent. Popo is set to begin recording their first (Diplo-produced) album in January 2010. Stay tuned. Enjoy vid and pics from their 11/19/2009 show at Le Poisson Rouge below.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4GwRKZop5Y

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