KhoroSho ─ Clockwork pogo punk from Singapore

Interview with the band KhoroSho

KhoroSho made a world blast in sound releasing the debut album “Back in the Alleyway” a year ago. The band comes from the Singaporean underground punk movement and consists of members from the bands like Rejected Scums and State of Decay…maybe more? Tell us about the  background of the band KhoroSho, when the band formed and how it has been developing?

Khorosho was actually formed back in 2006. At that time, the band was a side project because the members came from several different bands in Singapore. The band only played a few gigs and never had the chance to release any physical recordings. Eventually, we restarted the band with our debut release “Back in the Alleyway” at the end of 2024. The lineup for that release consisted of members from several bands such as Rejected Scums, Kudis, and Gangrene.

Khorosho “Back in the Alleyway” Line-up:
Vocal 1: Dino aka Dr. Disease
Vocal 2: Joseph
Bass: Arik
Guitar: Sufi
Drums: Rushdy

Khorosho’s first gig was “This is Friendship Forever” in June 2024. At that event, Khorosho played alongside bands from Singapore as well as bands from outside Singapore such as Bunga Hitam, The Idiots, Sosial Sosial, and several other shows throughout the year. The debut release “Back in the Alleyway” was released by 2 Records. The vinyl version was released by Joe Pogo Records, and the cassette version by Stay Punk Music (Indonesia). After this release came out, Khorosho played their first out-of-town show in Jakarta, Indonesia, in January 2025, where they supported Total Chaos during their Southeast Asia Tour. After that show, Khorosho became more serious about performing in other countries, especially around Southeast Asia.
Lineup changes are common in bands. After Khorosho’s last show, the band restructured and added new members. To strengthen the vocal position, Khorosho invited Steve, who at that time was no longer active in a band after the breakup of The Innocents (Indonesia) in 2023. On guitar, Farhan (ex-Rejected Scum and Putrid Scum) was added.

Khorosho 2025 Line-up:
Vocal 1: Dino aka Dr. Disease
Vocal 2: Steve aka Stevellocet
Bass: Arik
Guitar: Farhan
Drums: Rushdy
With the new members, the band began the journey to their next shows in Thailand in April 2025, supporting Rumkicks (South Korea) on their Southeast Asia tour. They also played again in Jakarta in May 2025, along with several shows in Singapore.
Khorosho is currently working on their second album and will also be part of a compilation set to be released in 2026.

Singapore is small in size but distinctive due to its high-density, multicultural urban environment, strong global economic influence, and a unique blend of cultures and modern city planning. How would you describe the punk scene there?

Yes, that’s right! Singapore is a small country compared to many others. With its dense population and diverse cultures, the punk scene here has grown in a way that truly complements the grandeur of the country. The presence of punk scenes in neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and others has given the local punk scene strong connections for sharing and exchanging ideas and activities. Many events held in Singapore have been attended by punks from neighboring countries, from the 1990s up until today.
The punk genres here are also very diverse, ranging from Punk, Skins, HC/Punk, to Ska, all of it exists here, much like in European and other Asian countries. New generations continue to emerge and enrich the local punk scene, and some of them frequently travel outside Singapore as well.

The album Back in the Alleyway starts with the same-titled song. “Back in the alleyway at the “Subs”//This place where fun, all the sadness and laughter had begun/ Where shows been done//Where all of us are having fun!!”
It sounds like at that downtown spot you had tons of stories!

If you could compare punks in Singapore “in those times” and “nowadays” what changed for good or bad to your mind?

Subs is a little place located at City Hall. Better known as 'Substation', Subs is a place where all the punks would come down to hang out with one another despite the occasion. Back then, there were gigs held at Subs.. however the government decided to stop allowing shows/gigs to be held at substation a few years back. This made Subs a place for us punks to chill, secluded away from the rest. Having being there almost everyday, we made lots of memories there, both good and bad. If you were to compare the punks back then to the present, there's definitely a big difference. The scene was much bigger back then definitely. All of us were just kids having fun. As they grow up, they became busier and occupied with responsibilities in life. This resulted in many of the older punks not being able to hang out as much anymore.. as they are probably working or taking care of their families etc". There are few new gen punks in Singapore, as most of the teenagers in the underground scene nowadays lean more towards the Hardcore scene. So with few new gen punks.. its hard for the scene to grow. However, even though there are definitely lesser people in the scene, we are definitely more calm now. There's less fights/arguments nowadays compared to those times hahaha. That's something good i could say about the newer generation.

The whole band KhoroSho wears the “clockwork orange” aesthetic: bowler hats, white trousers, masks, makeup, general anti-establishment aggression etc. You all make the scenic costumes by your own? Is it a visual blueprint in your casual look as well?

Khorosho, aside from being inspired by the film A Clockwork Orange, also draws musical and visual influence from a blend of Clockwork Punk bands such as Major Accident, Hat Trickers, The Adicts, and Lower Class Brats. Yes, some of the accessories we wear are made by ourselves, but the masks are custom-made by our friend who is based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

How did you come with the dominant pink color for the LP “Back in the Alleyway”?

Well actually, aside from the neon pink color, the *Back in the Alleyway* vinyl release is also available in a clear splatter variant. We consider pink to be the new black, and punk which was once dominated by black, now embraces a wide range of colors. Choosing pink also aligns with Khorosho dominant color, which is white.

Which song is your favourite from the album and why?

Clockwork Heroes and Lompat Bergembira, its an anthem song & a simple sing a long. Both songs bring happiness & joy to us when playing/performing.

There is a clear message through the album: unite, cut the chains to freedom and ignite a revolution. For what changes do you fight for?

The change we fight for starts from the things closest to everyday life. For us, punk today is not about grand slogans or practical politics, but about the courage to think and live freely. Unity means supporting one another regardless of background, scene, or generation.
Breaking the chains of freedom is about standing up against fear, social pressure, and standards that kill creativity and honesty. And the revolution we talk about is not always about taking to the streets, but a revolution of attitude: being more honest, more aware, daring to be different, and refusing to simply accept things as they are.
If everyone can begin with small changes within themselves and their surroundings, we believe that is enough to ignite a much bigger fire of change.

Does your crew organize gigs/festivals in Singapore?

Yes, one of our members (Dino) is also a gig promoter under the name Dr. D Cords. Together with other friends, he has organized several shows in Singapore as well as in various Southeast Asian countries. Some of the tours he has worked on include Acidez (Mexico) & No Name (China), Total Chaos, Rumkicks, Bad Nasty, and most recently BreakOut (France).
Aside from being a promoter, Dr. D Cords also operates as a record label and recording production. The first release from Dr. D Cords was the album by the band Teleriax (Jakarta, Indonesia), which came out in September 2024.

What are plans for future and is there any ambition to play around Europe?

We are currently working on re-recording and adding vocals for two songs that will be included in a global compilation, which features bands from Jakarta (Submission), Japan (The Erections, The Dick Spikie), Bad Nasty, Bad Co Project, and many others. In addition to that, we are working on several new materials in preparation for our second album.

Ambitions to play in Europe? Of course! Haha— we would be thrilled if the opportunity comes. But in the near future, we would really love to perform at several punk festivals such as Kappunk and Rebellion Fest. Hopefully it will become a reality.

Thank a lot for taking the time to speak with us. Your new album is a powerful blast of pogo music, and we appreciate you keeping the punk fire burning bright!

LONG LIVE PUNX!

05.01.2026