Freakapuss

Freakapuss transcends alternate TV realities in this phasing pop-icon exposé, bending perception and sound into a raw, electrified vision of rock and roll’s outer limits.

In 2014, I had the honour of collaborating with underground legend Zarjaz—the enigmatic force behind Tronics—on a music video for New 21st Century Dimension, the latest sonic experiment from his band, Freakapuss.

But this wasn’t just about making a music video. It was a deep dive into the multi-dimensional world of Freakapuss—a band that embodies sawdust-floor circus rock ‘n’ roll at its most untamed. By fusing analogue grit with digital distortion, we set out to create something iconic—something that echoes both the past and the future in a single, hypnotic transmission.

Zarjaz, formerly known as Ziro Baby, remains one of underground music’s most elusive figures. Since his emergence in the late ‘70s with Tronics, he has carved out a singular path—pioneering a lo-fi, sci-fi-infused sound that predated the cassette-only indie movement. After years of mystery and exile, his cult following only grew, leading to reissues and a renewed appreciation of his work. Now, he returns with Freakapuss, pushing his vision even further into the outer reaches of sound and spectacle.

This is New 21st Century Dimension. Step inside.

2014 - New 21st Century Dimension

The Cinematic Experiment

Armed with celluloid, digital tape, and the latest iPhone recording technology, I set out to film Freakapuss in a variety of locations across London. The approach was part documentary, part spontaneous performance art—aiming to capture the band as if I had stumbled upon them from another planet. Their costumes, their attitudes, their personas would lead the way, creating an organic, immersive visual experience.

I envisioned a blend of crisp digital footage layered against grainy, atmospheric Super 8 film—a collision of past and future. The final look? A Martian dreamscape. London transformed into an alien world, with the band standing at its centre, performing in a neon-lit dystopia.

Morphing between media, past, present, and future would dissolve into one another. This wasn’t just about filming a performance—it was about sculpting a world around the music itself.

Rooftop of Freakapuss HQ, Regent’s Park Crescent:

One of the most surreal moments—standing high above the West End with the BT Tower looming in the distance. Zarjaz, in his unmistakable style, released helium-filled pink balloons, their colour strikingly vivid against London’s grey skyline. The result? Pure, unfiltered visual poetry.

Regent’s Park:

A contrast of urban decay and natural beauty, we filmed against the backdrop of spring blossoms and classic London park decadence. Zarjaz, in full Freakapuss regalia, commanded the space, turning a peaceful setting into something otherworldly.

The Editing Alchemy

The real magic unfolded in the editing studio. Here, analogue grain met digital sharpness, weaving together a visual rhythm as dynamic as the track itself.

Freakapuss’s performance took centre stage, with an emphasis on the hypnotic repetition of the track’s title, New 21st Century Dimension. Lyric-driven shots captured Zarjaz in full performance mode, his energy pulsating through every frame. Super 8 close-ups, sweeping street shots, and psychedelic overlays brought the raw, DIY ethos of rock ‘n’ roll into a new visual era.