As we enter the finale week of City Stories, we’re thrilled to introduce Monsopiad, a distinctive artist bringing their own voice, creativity, and perspective to the music scene.
In this written interview, Monsopiad opens up about their musical journey, creative influences, artistic identity, and the stories behind their music. From the experiences that shaped their sound to the inspirations that continue to fuel their creativity, this conversation offers a closer look at the artist behind the music.
Can you introduce yourselves to our readers and tell us how Monsopiad came together as a band?
Greetings from the island of Borneo, Malaysia! I’m Chupi, born and raised in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. I play six-string guitar for Monsopiad, and I’m also the band’s founder.
The idea for Monsopiad came after I left my previous band, Tone Failed To Destruct (Mathcore/Metalcore). Even after moving on, my passion for creating music continued to burn stronger than ever.
In October 2023, I met up with Boyi (drummer), and we started jamming almost every week. After some time, I invited Dwin to join us as our vocalist. Initially, we planned to continue as a three-piece, but we eventually decided to bring in Jigong on bass, completing the original lineup of Monsopiad.
In April 2026, however, Dwin made the difficult decision to step away from the band due to declining health. Balancing three jobs had taken a significant toll on his well-being, making it increasingly difficult for him to fully commit to the band. After discussing the situation together, we all agreed that stepping down was the best decision for his health and future.
Today, Monsopiad enters a new chapter. Jigong has stepped into the role of lead vocalist, and we’re excited to welcome Stewart as our new bassist, holding down the low end on four strings. While our lineup has changed, our passion for creating honest, heavy, and meaningful music remains stronger than ever.
Why did you choose the name Monsopiad, and what significance does it have to the band’s identity?
Why “Monsopiad”?
Monsopiad was a legendary warrior from Sabah who lived during the 18th century. He is remembered for defending his village against outsiders with extraordinary courage and unwavering determination. Despite his heroism, his story ended in tragedy when he was betrayed by his own people.
Today, his legacy lives on through the Monsopiad Cultural Village—a heritage site visited by both locals and tourists—as well as a road in the Penampang district that proudly bears his name. His story remains one of Sabah’s most enduring and iconic legends.
We chose the name Monsopiad because it represents where we come from—Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. More than just a band name, it is a tribute to our roots, our culture, and a legendary figure whose resilience, courage, and defiant spirit continue to inspire us both as musicians and as individuals.
How would you describe your music to someone hearing Monsopiad for the very first time?
Emotionally eccentric in chaos, but never entirely out of control. Peaceful in the weirdest, most unsettling moments. Heavy like a ton of bricks one second, then moving at full speed the next.
We don’t believe in staying in one lane—we’d rather let our songs breathe, collapse, explode, and rebuild themselves. There’s hardcore, mathcore, punk, noise, and whatever else naturally emerges when four people lock themselves in a room and create without limits.
We embrace tension and contradiction: beauty and ugliness, calm and violence, precision and complete recklessness. We don’t write songs to fit a genre—we write them to make people feel something, even if that feeling is uncomfortable.
Your sound blends hardcore punk with chaotic and emotional elements. How did you develop this unique style?
We all come from different musical backgrounds, and I think that’s one of the things that shapes the sound of Monsopiad.
For me, it all started with my dad. I grew up listening to everything from jazz and classical music to rock ‘n’ roll. He would spend hours playing his Fender Stratocaster in his room, never minding whether the neighbours in our terrace house could hear every note. During my teenage years, he introduced me to legendary guitarists such as Joe Pass, Bill Connors, Carlos Santana, Ritchie Blackmore, and Eric Clapton. Those musicians had a profound influence on how I listen to, appreciate, and approach music.
As I got older, my older cousins introduced me to hardcore punk. Bands like Bad Brains, Black Flag, Bad Religion, Earth Crisis, and Rancid completely changed my perspective. That combination of influences became one of the foundations of Monsopiad’s sound.
Jigong and I share a deep passion for hardcore punk. He’s heavily influenced by bands like Have Heart, Modern Life Is War, Comeback Kid, and many others, which naturally complements the direction we’re taking as a band.
Meanwhile, Boyi and Stewart bring a different flavour to the mix. Both are heavily inspired by the grunge movement, drawing influence from bands such as Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam. Boyi also incorporates elements of gospel into his drumming style, adding yet another unique layer to our music.
In the end, Monsopiad is a fusion of all these different influences. We don’t try to fit into a single genre or sound—we simply write music that honestly reflects who we are, both as musicians and as individuals.
Which artists or bands have had the biggest influence on your music and songwriting?
Our influences are incredibly diverse, but they all share the same spirit—music that is honest, intense, and unafraid to push boundaries.
We’re inspired by bands such as Bad Brains, Black Flag, At the Drive-In, Russian Circles, Brutus, Entombed, Senza, Saetia, Fugazi, and Sonic Youth, along with many other artists who have carved out their own distinctive sound and identity.
On the local front, we’re constantly inspired by bands like Blood On Wedding Dress, Infinite Delay, Daighila, Kias Fansuri, and Orbit Cinta Benjamin. Each of them has played an important role in shaping the underground music scene in their own way, reminding us that great music doesn’t have to follow trends—it just has to be genuine.
Rather than trying to sound like any one band, we draw inspiration from all of these influences and allow them to naturally shape our songwriting and song structures. The result is a sound that feels authentic to Monsopiad—one that continues to evolve while staying true to who we are as musicians.
What inspires you the most when writing new songs and lyrics?
The biggest challenge for us is balancing the band with our everyday lives. Most of us have full-time jobs and families, so finding the time to write, rehearse, and stay creative isn’t always easy. Even so, we continue to make the effort because this band means something deeply personal to all of us.
Many of our songs are inspired by what’s happening in the world today. We see corruption, injustice, inequality, and war affecting people across different countries. As individuals, we may not be able to change everything, but music gives us a voice—and that’s something we refuse to take for granted.
Monsopiad is our outlet for expressing our anger, frustration, and resistance. Our lyrics aren’t meant to preach or tell people what to think. Instead, they reflect the realities we witness and encourage listeners to question authority, challenge corruption, and stand up against injustice.
If our music can inspire even a handful of people—especially the younger generation—to think critically, speak up for what’s right, and contribute to building a more just and peaceful world, then we’ve accomplished something truly meaningful.
Can you walk us through your songwriting and recording process as a band?
Monsopiad has always been a band that thrives on jamming. We keep our creative process simple and old-school—we don’t rely on modern songwriting software like GarageBand or other computer-based tools. Instead, we meet at local rehearsal studios, usually two to four times a month, and spend two to three hours simply playing together.
Our songs come together naturally through loud, spontaneous jam sessions. Most of our rehearsals take place at Loudmusic Studio in Inanam and Capitol Studio, where we build songs from the ground up by creating riffs, drum patterns, and arrangements in the moment. During each session, Jigong records everything on his iPhone so we can revisit promising ideas later.
From there, Jigong takes the lead in developing the songs further and writing the lyrics, turning raw ideas into complete compositions.
By March 2024, we had finished writing five songs and headed to Centura Music Studio to record with Mr. Tajul of Routes 66, who handled the recording, mixing, and mastering. We recorded all five tracks in a single day, while the mixing and mastering process took nearly a month to complete.
On 14 April 2024, we proudly released our debut EP on Bandcamp, marking an important milestone for the band.
For the physical release, Entertainmentality produced our cassette tapes, CD-Rs, and merchandise, helping us preserve the DIY ethos that has always been at the heart of hardcore punk. It’s a spirit that continues to define Monsopiad—not just in the way we make music, but in how we share it with the world.
How has the underground music scene in Kota Kinabalu and Sabah shaped your growth as musicians?
Growing up, I went from being a naïve teenager to a punk dad, and throughout that journey, hardcore punk became my greatest teacher. The local underground scene in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah played a huge role in shaping the person I am today.
Going to DIY gigs and small venues was never just about the music—it was about finding a community where people could express themselves freely, support one another, and feel like they truly belonged.
The underground scene opened my eyes to what is really happening in the world. It taught me to question authority, think critically, and stay true to my beliefs. Those are values I don’t often see in the mainstream music industry, where so much is influenced by corporations, government regulations, and commercial interests. There are always expectations about what you can say, what you should wear, and how you’re supposed to behave.
The hardcore punk underground is different. As long as you respect others and take care of the spaces that welcome you, you’re free to express yourself however you want. That freedom creates honest music, genuine communities, and, in my opinion, allows people to become more creative and authentic.
More than just a genre, hardcore punk is a way of thinking and living. It’s a community built on sincerity, independence, and standing by your convictions—and that’s what it has always meant to me.
Every band faces challenges. What has been the biggest obstacle Monsopiad has overcome so far?
With the worldwide inflation today, I think for financially proper recording, touring and producing merchandise. Not just Monsopiad but most DIY bands nowadays have the same dilemma.
Your live performances are known for their energy. What do you hope audiences experience when they see Monsopiad perform?
We’re not have the same energy back in our teens angst era but our hope that Monsopiad music can influence the audience’s feelings like the way we feel about our music especially for the young generations. Maybe after watching us live in local gigs/shows they can make their own Hardcore punk band.
Is there a performance or concert that holds a special place in your memories? What made it unforgettable?
Since Monsopiad is still a relatively new band in Kota Kinabalu’s underground hardcore punk scene, we haven’t played many shows yet. However, every performance has been meaningful to us.
Our first show took place on 12 November 2023, where we opened for Singapore’s Glassmouth alongside two Japanese bands, Wellness In Mouth Of Ditch and Kachiku. It was a surreal experience and an incredible way to introduce Monsopiad while sharing the stage with bands we deeply respect.
That said, the show that stands out the most is our Monarchy Madness EP Release Party in 2024. The support from our friends, families, and the local hardcore community was overwhelming—the venue was packed from front to back.
Watching the younger generation jump into the pit, sing along, and completely lose themselves in the music reminded us why we started this band in the first place. The energy, the unity, and the controlled chaos created an atmosphere we’ll never forget.
It wasn’t just an EP release—it felt like a celebration of our local hardcore punk community. It was a night filled with passion, connection, and unforgettable memories, and without a doubt, it was an absolute blast.
How do each of the band members contribute to the creative process, both on and off the stage?
Everyone in Monsopiad brings something unique to the table. Most of the guitar riffs come from me, Boyi develops the drum patterns, Stewart crafts the bass lines, and Jigong writes most of the lyrics. From time to time, I also collaborate with Jigong on the lyrics, while Boyi occasionally contributes guitar riffs of his own.
Our songwriting process is completely collaborative. We throw all our ideas together, pull them apart, rebuild them, and keep refining them until they feel right. That’s how every Monsopiad song comes to life.
Despite juggling full-time jobs, family commitments, and our own responsibilities, we always make time to get together—usually at a local mamak restaurant. That’s where we discuss everything: upcoming shows, future releases, new ideas, long-term goals, and where we hope Monsopiad will be ten years from now.
Those conversations are what keep the band moving forward. For us, communication is the fuel for creativity. Every great song begins with honest conversations, shared ideas, and the trust to challenge one another until the music becomes the best version of itself.
What message or emotions do you hope listeners take away from your music?
“Never lose your conscience, and always stand against oppression and corruption.”
The hardcore scene often values authenticity and community. What does being part of that community mean to you?
Most people can’t accept your thoughts just because the truths are cruel all the time. But with the Hardcore punk community, it’s better not only the friendship lasts long but the way we appreciate each other getting through this life nowadays.
How do you balance staying true to your roots while continuing to evolve your sound?
The same energy as all the Hardcore punk bands but more anger energy must be released in the music. The guitar riffs and the drum beats are still fast and loud but at the same time there’s a way to calm this chaos. That’s how Monsopiad sounds like.
Are there any songs in your catalog that feel especially personal or meaningful to the band? Why?
The song that truly defines Monsopiad, check out Track four from our Monarchy Madness EP on Bandcamp: “Deceive the Deceiver.” That song was a turning point for us. It was where we finally discovered the sound that felt completely our own. From the way it was written and composed to the lyrics and the raw emotion behind it, everything just clicked. It became the foundation of our identity as a band and shaped the direction we’ve continued to follow ever since.
Looking back on your journey, what is a lesson you’ve learned that has made Monsopiad stronger?
We never lost hopes and we did what we loved with passion not for trendy fashion. The tougher tests we get, the stronger that we will become.
What can fans expect from Monsopiad in the coming months? Are there any new releases, tours, or projects you’re excited to share?
We’ve recently completed three unreleased tracks for a 10-inch compilation vinyl with Basements Recordz, which is scheduled for release by the end of this year.
Monsopiad has also signed a deal with Glass Records in Singapore, who have been incredibly supportive in helping us plan and manage our digital releases.
In addition, we’ll be collaborating with Entertainmentality for “Moe’s Watchhouse Season 1,” and we’re excited to share more details about that project soon.
This July, we returned to Capitol Music Studio to begin recording new material for our upcoming releases. It’s an exciting time for the band, especially as we prepare for our first-ever tour this November.
The tour will take us across West Malaysia, with performances in Penang, Ipoh, and at ISTIA Festival 2026 in Kuala Lumpur. We’re incredibly excited because this will be Monsopiad’s first multi-city tour—a major milestone in our journey. We can’t wait to hit the road, connect with new audiences, and share our music with hardcore punk communities across Malaysia.
If you could collaborate with any artist or band from anywhere in the world, who would it be and why?
I’d have to go with the almighty Converge. They’ve been doing this since the 1990s, and here they are in 2026, still as powerful and relevant as ever. Why? Because they’re still creating incredible music, recently releasing two new albums in the same year: Love Is Not Enough and Hum of Heart.
It’s truly inspiring to see these veterans still performing at such a high level. They’re in their 50s, yet they continue to push boundaries and prove that passion and creativity don’t have an expiration date.
If we ever had the chance to share the stage with Converge, it would be one of the greatest honors of our lives. It would be the kind of moment we’d remember forever—and honestly, we’d probably be smiling about it even on our deathbeds.
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Finally, do you have a message for your fans in Malaysia and to everyone around the world who will be discovering Monsopiad through City Stories?
First of all, on behalf of Monsopiad, I would like to thank Mr. Henry of City Writer PH in the Philippines for giving us this incredible opportunity to be interviewed. This is actually our very first interview, and for that, we are truly grateful.
I sincerely apologize if I accidentally mispronounced anything or if any of my words came across the wrong way or unintentionally offended anyone. That was never my intention, and I offer my heartfelt apologies to anyone who may have felt hurt.
Monsopiad would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Clement and Glassmouth for their friendship and for helping us connect with Glass Records. We’d also like to give a special shout-out to Kai Ramses (SMERGEMOTION), Aizat Keladak (Noisemongers Records), and Dwan Vlood for always believing in us and supporting Monsopiad throughout our journey.
Last but certainly not least, we’d like to leave everyone with this message:
Never let your flame burn out, and never stop chasing your dreams with passion. Believe in yourself, trust your abilities, and stay true to your vision. Love your friends, laugh often, and live life to the fullest.
Until next time—adiós, amigos, from Kota Kinabalu, Borneo!
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