Zu

Zu is an Italian experimental rock band from Rome, active since 1997. The group begins as a trio of Jacopo Battaglia on drums, Massimo Pupillo on bass and Luca T. Mai on saxophone, and develops into a band associated with experimental rock, avant-garde music, free improvisation, free jazz, instrumental music and a heavy mixture of metal, math rock, no wave, free noise, punk and jazz influences.

Style and approach

The band is known for combining tightly structured playing with improvisation and for moving beyond single-genre definitions. Its sound draws on experimental, free and noise-based forms as well as jazz and hardcore elements.

Collaborations and live activity

Zu works with a wide range of musicians, including Mike Patton, Melvins, Dälek, The Ex, Peter Brötzmann, Hamid Drake, Ken Vandermark, Alvin Curran, Nobukazu Takemura, Damo Suzuki, Eugene Chadbourne, Mats Gustafsson, Han Bennink, Paal Nilssen-Love, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Joe Lally, Amy Denio and Steve MacKay. The group also shares tours and stages with Fantômas, Lightning Bolt, The Ex, Ruins, Dälek, NoMeansNo, Vandermark 5 and The Thing.

Membership

The band’s listed members include Jacopo Battaglia, Luca Mai, Massimo Pupillo, Gabe Serbian, Tomas Järmyr and Roy Paci.