With “Misu Misu” now officially out, The Zappe Cats are entering a new phase in their journey. Led by Luis Irán (vocals/guitar), with Lucas Paredes (bass) and Ozzie Perez (drums), the trio has long included these songs in their live sets. Releasing the studio versions allowed them to fully shape and present the material as they originally envisioned. The early response has been encouraging, and while the EP is still fresh, it already reflects the direction the band has been moving in.
Luis Irán, vocalist and guitarist of Miami-based rock trio The Zappe Cats, sat down with us to talk about the making of their latest EP, "Misu Misu." He broke down the stories behind the tracks, how their Venezuelan roots continue to shape their sound, and what it’s been like evolving as a band since forming in 2023.
Now that “Misu Misu” is out in the world, how are you feeling about the reception so far?
For us, it’s honestly been a relief. We’ve been sitting on these songs for months since recording, itching to share them the moment they were mastered. But we knew we had to be patient and do a proper rollout. The response so far has been positive, even from people who already knew the songs from our live shows. Now they’re finally hearing the studio versions. That said, the EP is still very young, barely hours old, so we’re hoping it continues to open new doors for us.
This EP feels like a step forward for the band sonically. What do you think “Misu Misu” says about where The Zappe Cats are right now creatively?
Funny you say that, because from a writing standpoint, we haven’t really stopped. When we recorded our first album, we didn’t even have a name yet, let alone a live set. Since then, playing live has definitely shaped our sound. These songs feel heavier, probably because they’re fueled by the energy and adrenaline of performing live. Even now, we’re writing new stuff, leaning into different rhythms, and exploring the fuzz obsession we all share. We’re in a constant state of creation, I guess.
There’s a noticeable emotional edge to several of the tracks. How much of your personal journey as Venezuelan musicians rebuilding in Miami found its way into these songs?
Even though we love Miami, being Venezuelan is something we’re reminded of constantly, through a phone call from our parents, the news… That stuff sneaks into the lyrics and the performance, even if we don’t plan it. For example, “Dog Punk” is about power dynamics. When we sing “Dogs still baiting, would you ever hit back?” it’s a direct call to resist, an unconscious political nod. And “A Good Time” is about not waiting for the perfect moment to act. There’s this line, “roses grow and men go stealing,” that kind of captures the mix of beauty and harshness we live with.
Which track on the EP has gotten the biggest reaction at live shows so far, and why do you think it resonates so strongly?
Live shows are all about energy, and “A Good Time” really brings that. It’s raw, fast, and fun to play, and people feed off that energy. But to be fair, “Baby Hurricane” from our first record still hits the hardest live. It’s a classic rock song, like a fever dream wrapped in Miami heat and surreal storm warnings. And the chorus is a total hook. Somehow, it always gets a reaction.
The chemistry between the three of you feels especially tight on “Misu Misu.” How has your dynamic as a trio evolved since forming in 2023?
We’ve actually known each other for a long time. Lucas and I (Luis) were each in well-known bands in the Venezuelan underground for years. Oscar played drums on my first solo record, and he and Lucas were already playing together in Miami before I even moved here. So, there was already a foundation. What surprised us was how fast everything came together once we started writing. The songs just flowed. Add to that almost three years of playing non-stop as The Zappe Cats, well… fingers crossed I don’t jinx it by saying all this out loud (lol).
Your sound pulls from alternative rock, punk, and post-punk, but this EP also feels uniquely yours. What artists or influences were you channeling during the making of this project?
Oscar and I are huge Beatles fans, so there’s always going to be some melodic thread in there. But Lucas is the one who pushes things heavier. Thanks to him, there’s a lot of punk and grunge in the mix: Nirvana, Pixies, Ramones. Also, there was this one show that really left a mark on us: Queens of the Stone Age at the Fillmore. That’s where the fuzz obsession really took off. It’s a mix of this and many more things.
The EP title “Misu Misu” definitely stands out—what’s the story behind the name, and how did you decide it was the right fit for this release?
As much as we take the band seriously, we try not to take ourselves too seriously. Humor and sarcasm are part of our DNA. “Misu Misu” kind of continues the inside joke we started with our first release, “It Smells Like Caged Kitten,” a play on Nirvana and a Venezuelan idiom at the same time. Our name also nods to where we come from (“Sape gato!”). For the EP, we wanted something simple and catchy. What do we say when we’re trying to get a cat to come over? “Misuuu! Misuuu!” Done.
.png)
