Interview: Zebrahead vocalist, rapper Ali Tabatabaee

By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications

Forming in 1996, rock quintet Zebrahead have spent decades honing a high-impact blend of melodic metal riffage, punk urgency, and hip-hop flow—making it a polished defining sound of their own.

Since 2020 through now, the punk-metal mainstays have released a series of four EPs, titled simply: III, II, I, and finally: 0, which releases this summer.

Until then, Zebrahead released a preview of the new EP—a headbanging, heavy-melodic, fiery single with an axe shredding solo, titled “Burn, Burn, Burn.”

Drummer Ed Udhus describes the song: “…our version of Slayer and Taylor Swift doing Redbull vodka shots at the pool on Spring Break ‘till 6 a.m..”

With 0–their forthcoming final chapter of the EP series out this August—vocalist/rapper Ali Tabatabaee reflects on the EP music series, music industry changes, inspiration with longevity, favorite international tour spot, collaboration aspirations, and the future.

Out of the four EP series releases, which EP is your personal favorite and why that one in particular?

I’d probably go with the one that felt the most like a snapshot of where we were, at that exact moment.

I like all of them for different reasons, but there’s always one where everything just clicks; songs come together fast, everyone’s on the same wavelength, and to me that EP would be 0, our latest EP.

I feel like we are in a groove now with Adrian and these songs really show it. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.

Being in the music industry for three decades, releasing 13 albums and now the EP series, what’s been the biggest change in the industry that you’ve had to adapt to and how did you adapt and what’s your opinion on that change?

The biggest change has definitely been how people consume music.

When we started, it was all about tapes and CDs and going to record stores. Now, it’s streaming, and everything moves a lot faster.

At first it felt a little strange because you’re putting the same energy into the music, but people might only hear one song.

We adapted by staying consistent and putting out music more regularly and staying connected with fans online.

There’s good and bad to it, but if people are still discovering your band, that’s what matters most.

What keeps you inspired and motivated as a musician and as a band?

We still love it. That’s really what it comes down to.

Playing shows, writing songs, and traveling all over the world has always been important, but I think we appreciate it more now.

And the fans are a huge part of that. When you’re halfway across the world and people are singing your songs back to you, it reminds you why you started in the first place. That feeling never really goes away.

With your international tour approaching at the end of the year, which city or country are you most excited to tour in and why that location?

Japan is always at the top of the list for us.

The crowds are amazing, super passionate, and they’ve supported us for such a long time. Every time we go back, it feels special.

But honestly, we’re just excited to get out anywhere and play.

We have been going to play shows in U.S. cities lately and that is something that we really also look forward to.

It’s been great to tour in our home country and we are going to make that more of a regular thing in the future.

Which artist or band, outside of your genre, would you most like to collaborate with and why them?

It’s always cool to work with people who come from a totally different world musically.

I think it would be really cool to have a DJ remix our metal/punk songs and the new Fred Again album is pretty amazing—it would be really cool to do a collaboration with someone like that.

Where do you see yourself in another decade, both personally and musically?

Hopefully still making music, playing shows, and enjoying it.

Personally, just staying happy and balanced.

Musically, continuing to evolve without overthinking it.

As long as it still feels real and we are having fun doing it, that’s what matters.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Just a big thanks to everyone who’s supported us over the years, and to anyone who’s just discovering the band now.

We don’t take that for granted at all.

Thanks so much again for your time!

Thanks, Neil! I really appreciate it.

Watch “Burn, Burn, Burn”