JGeek and The Geeks: Rotorua's stars

They're all about turning heads with their interpretation of fusing Maoritanga with pop-culture and craziness.
Though not as geeky as the name suggests, JGeek and The Geeks have been making themselves known since launching their unique brand last year. Three young Rotorua men are among "the geeks" in the group - Sonny Bishop, 19, Eru Bennett-Paul, 18, and Ricky Flavell, 20.
The group, who collectively identify themselves as having a "Metro-Maori electro craze" genre, released their first hit video Maori Boy last November and received more than 100,000 views within the first 10 days of being on video-sharing website YouTube.
The video also received international attention with American rapper Souljah Boy commenting about them on his Twitter page.
Their most recent music video, Sticky Icky is continuing to boost their identity and Bennett-Paul with his pink hair is a prominent character.
Group leader Jermaine Leef said JGeek and The Geeks were all about creating an international movement while showcasing Maori culture.
"We wanted to take the Maori culture and fuse it in with the current pop-culture and it's gone on an epic whirlwind effect now," he said.
Known for their crazy fashion sense, the group have a lot going for them with a TV show in the pipeline as well as appearances at corporate events, a summer tour, plans to introduce a clothing/accessories range and a part to play in entertainment for the Rugby World Cup in Auckland.
Bishop, a former Rotorua Boys' High School student, is also one of their music producers. He said there was a lot happening for the relatively new group.
On top of his geek commitments, Bishop is working with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra's musical director and is set to sign with an American producer who works with international musicians such as Rihanna.
Flavell, a former Western Heights High School student, said the group was full of energy when they were all together.
Also a performer for renowned kapa haka group Ngati Rangiwewehi, he said he fused his knowledge of kapa haka into his Geeks performances.
"I like bringing in feathers, the eye liner and throwing in the odd pukana here and there."
Flavell said the group enjoyed being together. "We have faith in each other. We think the same, so it makes us have a good time wherever we are."
JGeek and the Geeks have been asked to perform at New Zealand Fashion Week later in the year and will be releasing their next music video, I Love Hangi, later this month.