Stereo Zen releases UnFunky video

Highlighting the concept, lead singer, songwriter and guitarist of Stereo Zen Carlo Thompson, explains the video as a "news parody formed on the basis that the news is still a TV show and based on sensationalism."

Superhero with an amazing giant thumb

"So we,'the band', invent our own news. We have an extreme ironer who's had too much Iron Bok (local energy drink). Animals represent the gang violence and later hold a parliament-type press conference that breaks down like those Asian-type politician fights. Also, we needed the typical feel-good piece which is our superhero who has the amazing giant thumb."

The song is a "polite metaphorical expression of unhappiness about our mass media, especially radio, for the most part, playing awful mindless commercial ramblings and pathetic excuses for music," explains Thompson.

The band do love the video, and I imagine it was an awful lot of fun putting it all together.

"It's only thanks to our friends that this video was possible. Literally! So that's worth more than any critical acclaim the video can reach. Everyone worked basically for free and showed support," says Thompson.

Labour of love

Stereo Zen is one of many South African bands that make music for the love of it - regardless of the lack of income it brings.

"Without throwing hate into the world, we have never made any money from the band, so we pay for whatever recordings and videos we can with 'real jobs' and keep on trucking. If it seems rather nonchalant, then let it be so. But the music and the project is never really dead. All the members play in many other projects to ease the pain of ambition, but we all know that it remains a labour of love," says Thompson.

Unfunky credits:

Director: Hugh Dudley
Editor: Wayne Graham
Production, concept, camera & lighting: Lyndon Campbell
Prosthetics & makeup: Clint Beukes
Graphics: Litha Yako