Synthpunk isn’t a genre I know all that well, but I know fresh, fun music when I hear it. Cuir began as an obscure one-man project a few years ago, fronted by a Frenchman in a hot pink mask with zippers, fingerless glove in a matching pink leather, and an unapologetic “fuck-you” attitude.
The new album, Album Album, keeps up the hilariously simple naming tradition and picks up right where the last releases left off. It’s packed with catchy, fast punk tracks, and the cheap synth gives it a unique, danceable feel. The lyrics, sung in French, are all about having a blast, surviving bad hangovers in dirty punk squats, and telling the world to piss off.
Behind the bright pink mask is Doug Zilla, a DIY punk old-timer from Lorient, also known for fronting other Breton hardcore punk bands like Coupe Gorge, Radical Failure, and Sordid/Ship. Cuir has also grown from a solo project into a full live band, and they’ve been tearing up stages at some of our favorite punk festivals across Europe and beyond.
If you get the chance to catch them live, don’t miss it—they’re an absolute must-see!
I initially thought you started Cuir as your one-man project during the Covid period, but I later discovered that your demo was actually released in February 2019, a year before the pandemic. Had you been planning or thinking about Cuir for even longer than that?
Yeah, I think it’s the vinyl that brought together the two demos that was released during the Covid period. As you said, the project is from 2019, and I’d been thinking about it for a few years, but I really started working on it in 2018.
Your new release, Album Album, stays true to the hilariously simple naming trend you’ve set with Album, EP, Single Single, and Demo Demo Demo. So, does Album Album mean it’s twice as good as Album? And what’s the lyrical theme this time—two times the chaos, or something else entirely?
For me, it’s definitely twice as good, haha. But it’s the same with every new release, I always find the latest sound better than the others.
Lyrically, it’s still all about partying hard and wanting to destroy everything, but there are also more personal parts, reflecting a time in my life after the Covid period when I was just fed up with everything. And paradoxically, it shows how that urge to dive back in can return anytime!
I’m not too familiar with synthpunk as a genre, but I know France has a history with bands like Métal Urbain. How much of an influence did they have on Cuir, along with other cult bands like Bérurier Noir, Brigitte Bop, Ludwig von 88, or the Chaos en France comps that put the French Oi! scene on the map? MRR’s reviewer even called you “neo/cyber/future Oi!”, how did you feel about that?
Strangely, I don’t listen to any of the bands mentioned.
Of course, I know them, but they were never groups I was into. The only influence for Cuir was actually an Australian synthpunk band called Ausmuteants.
Personally, I listen to a lot of French punk, but it doesn’t influence my music at all. And about the “Oi!” label for Cuir, I don’t really get it. For me, it’s just punk rock with synth.
UP THE SYNTHPUNX!
In the last few years, we’ve seen great solo projects like Rat Cage, Golpe, or Prisonnier du temps, all of which have brought live musicians to perform and tour. When did you decide to play shows and go from a recording project to a live band?
I had a lot of requests to play live, so I decided to go for it! I asked some friends to join me for the shows; first three musicians, and since the end of 2023, we’ve had four members. Now, I can focus solely on singing, which makes things much simpler.
You played at the K-Town Hardcore Festival, one of the top DIY hardcore punk events in Europe. In your opinion, what makes a DIY punk scene strong and vibrant?
It’s definitely the fact that passion, not money, drives it. That’s what brings sincerity, especially for festivals like this one, which can only be organized by true enthusiasts who add energy and dynamics to the scene.
By the way, big shoutout to the K-Town festival for the amazing atmosphere when we played and for the top-notch organization! Plus, I had my biggest hangover on Monday morning when I got home, haha.
Lorient is located in Brittany, a region with a strong cultural identity. Can you tell us about the local scene and how Breton culture has influenced you personally? Is there a sense of hometown or Breton pride reflected in Cuir’s music and lyrics (I noticed the Brittany flag in the video for “Gast”)?
There’s always been a big local punk scene here, and right now my favorite band from Brittany is Syndrome 81. There are tons of shows in winter and loads of festivals in summer. It’s definitely a musical region, with lots of punk but also traditional music festivals called Fest-Noz.
Music is part of our DNA here, which explains why there are so many bands in Brittany. For Cuir, I wanted to add little nods to Breton culture, including some words in Breton. Besides French, we also have a Breton language that’s still alive. I don’t speak it, but I know a few words… mostly insults, haha. Since I love my region, it felt natural to give it a small tribute. Mixing French and Breton makes for some great punchlines! Brittany is beautiful, so if you’re reading this, come here for a holiday—it’s a great travel option!
You’ve already released a few great video clips. How important is the visual aesthetic to you, and how do you approach translating your music into different media? Also, what led to the collaboration with the No Punks In K-Town YouTube channel?
I’ll start with the last part! The No Punks in K-Town channel is actually run by Alexis from Offside Records, who has been releasing Cuir vinyls from the start, so it made perfect sense to release the videos there.
It really helped boost views. Big thanks to Alex, without him, the Cuir project wouldn’t be the same! As for the aesthetic, it’s super important to me. I love music videos and media in general, so the pink hood opens up a ton of possibilities for video clips, photos, etc., and I’m taking full advantage of it!
Cuir doesn’t seem like an overtly political project, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on the politics of DIY. You run your own cassette label, Forty Tapes, and rely a lot on free distribution. Prix Libre (Pay-what-you-want, or ‘free price’) is pretty popular in the French DIY punk scene—can you talk about its ethics and how it aligns with a band like Cuir?
It’s simple—everything digital is free. I don’t like paying for digital myself, so I don’t expect others to pay for mine. Still, a lot of people choose to donate on Bandcamp to download my albums, which isn’t required but is always appreciated.
In the French punk scene, Prix Libre pricing is really common, especially at concerts. When I organized shows, I often used Prix Libre entry, especially for lesser-known bands. It allows people to come without worrying about entry, which means more people show up—and that’s always better for the band!
DIY is a way of seeing and organizing things, and that’s really important to me. I even tattooed “DIY” on my thigh! I’m not a tattoo artist, so it’s not the best, but that’s not the point. The important thing is I did it myself.
Your band name, Cuir, means leather in French. Are there other bands with a leather or bondage aesthetic that you’re into? Have you heard of the Japanese band Skitklass? I’m a big fan of them!
Yes for sure, I like Skitklass too! Pure hardcore punk. I also love Henry Fiats Open Sore, The Rip Offs, and Kill Cheerleader. They’re my top picks for a rock’n’roll vibe!
What keeps you excited about punk music in 2024? Anything else to add?
In 2024, the Australian punk scene keeps me going! Bands like Stiff Richards, Amyl and the Sniffers, Split System, Satanic Togas, Ausmuteants, Gee Tee—all of them keep me excited about punk. Plus, I get to see many of them each year at a festival close to my hometown. It’s organized by Beast Records, which has tons of connections with the Australian punk/rock scene.
So, thanks for this interview, and see you for the next “Album Album Album”? I’m working on a new one, but I might change the name… who knows!
Cheers!
Find Cuir on Bandcamp, Instagram, Offside Records’ store and the No Punks In K-Town YouTube channel.
