I was trying to convince the Rock Philosopher to buy this CD from the Panda Records stand at the Monomania album launch party. It’s the one of the best Panda compilations by far, I think, and an excellent document that well-reflects the early Bangkok underground scene. The reason for this is that “Panda Scream” contains songs by both Panda Records indie bands and a host of punk and underground bands that joined from Sorrawis Insiriphong (Bank Redtwenty)’s Bangkok Alien Music Alliance (BAMA) group (see here).
Because of this, every mix-tape I used to do back in the day featured a bunch of tracks from this album, including:
- Eastbound Downers – “Downer’s Grove”: Thumping track from the Downers that kicks down the barriers and beats up random passers-by. Turns up later on their second album “Broken Hearts & Paper Cuts” (Panda Records, 2005).
- Redtwenty – “Imaginary Time”: Interesting track by the Bangkok indie stalwarts though I do prefer their 2006 self-titled CD. This one sounds like drunken lounge karaoke on Patpong or should that be Silom Soi 4.
- Temporary Channel – “And I Wish”: These bedroom rockers lay down a very solid groove.
- Meaw er + - “You, Wasabi or Green Tea Icescream?”: Stylish Nonsense’s other computer band commentating on the then-fad for green tea everything in Bangkok.
- Adulterer – “High School”: Pop-punk-ska head-kicker song that’s lucky if it breaks the minute mark. Short time perfection!
- The Darlings – “Just Like A Geek”: Basement Tape's Tat Bunnag’s old band with Arm Adulterer and Jeremy Hartley takes no prisoners in a bruising guitar-heavy follow-up to their earlier “Waste Your Time EP” (BAMA Records, 2003).
- From The Makers of Casablanca – “Pink Eyes”: My pick for best track on the compilation. Swirling maelstrom of twin-lead guitar noise from Dino and Top Tarasin serves as a Degaruda harbinger, anchored by a crunching rhythm section which highlights Sara(?)’s wistful vocals. Excellent and essential companion to their only album “This Could Be The Beginning Of Something Painful” (2004). “Another drink to keep me young…”
- Sheng – “Maibinrai”: Crazy German trio from Hamburg who performed this track and others at the Goethe Institute as an accompaniment to the launch of their documentary on the early Bangkok underground scene: “Bangkok Beats” (Arte, 2004). “She works in Bangkok, She lives in Sukhumvit Soi 45”.
- AW