YEARS of playing together have gone down the drain for a group of local musicians.
Francis Curac, founding member of band Niko Ne Zna, has split the group, trademarked the name and formed a new band – prohibiting old members from using the name.
For the past five years, Balkan brass band Niko Ne Zna has built up a reputation for providing big, bold gypsy sounds. The band is an eight-piece but contains only two original members – those left behind are performing in a different group, currently going by the name ‘Niko’, playing a very similar set.
Trombonist Nick van Dijk, an original band member and tutor at the New Zealand School of Music, says, “Five out of seven of the band now have no access to the brand we’ve built through those tours. We’re at a distinct disadvantage.”
Percussionist Andreas Lepper says, “Venues are booking ‘Niko Ne Zna’ on the strength of our name, and our playing.”
At a gig in Civic Square in March, Niko Ne Zna seemed outwardly to be doing well – they’d released an EP, done two national tours, and performed at WOMAD, but behind the scenes communication was breaking down – and that gig turned out to be their last.  
“Soon after that we received an email from [band leader] Frankie telling us, ‘I’m folding the band’,” explains percussionist Andreas Lepper.
The musicians that had been left behind continued to play as Niko Ne Zna for a while, but soon received a letter from a lawyer explaining that as of June 22 the name had been trademarked – and they couldn’t use it anymore.
Curac, aka ‘Frankie’ says he served the band the longest, as well as acting as manager, promoter and bandleader, so has more of a right to the name.
“I was trying to organise a regular rehearsal but people weren’t interested in rehearsing, and they weren’t really learning the songs when we did rehearse… I couldn’t even organise a meeting… If they want to continue they’re more than welcome, but to just give the name away after all the work I’d put it didn’t seem right either.”
Niko release an EP on Friday 29 at Mighty Mighty, and encourage the public to suggest a new name for the band.