ZiRoKi (zee – roh – kee)
If David Bowie got wasted on booze and amphetamines and then drunk dialled Annie Lennox on Robert Smith’s mobile, the love-child would be the undeniably catchy alternative pop-rock band now known as Ziroki. Inspired by the fashion and sounds of Prince, The Rolling Stones, and pop conceived in the 80s, Ziroki are an eclectic combination of sound and style with members from the UK, Japan, Syria, and Norway. Catchy pop-rock hooks woven together by threads of alternative and reggae/ska define this newborn band that is quickly rising in the birthplace of pop-rock, Liverpool.Should you one day find yourself in conversation with front-man Ziyad Al-Samman and lead guitarist Hiroki Muramatsu about the musical stylings of Ziroki, do not be surprised if you get caught up in the excitement they both exude. Rather, understand that after a short period of time, Ziroki have finally captured what they have been working tirelessly to achieve – a band that forces people on their feet.
With bassist James Taylor and drummer Alex Pavelich completing the line-up, Ziroki have developed a local following that, after only a few months, have packed local music venues in the likes of The Zanzibar and Korova with heaps of ecstatic, dancing pop friends. The demand for more recordings keep pushing the band to the studio, and with fresh versions of super-singalongs "If I Told You" (a tune that was sung live on CBS' The Early Show for 60 million Americans...) and "The Dead Sea", Ziroki are ready to move forward in Liverpool and beyond, leaving a trail of heart-shaped balloons, broken guitars and sweaty bodies behind them.