Let's see in my last post, I trashed Iceage form Denmark and then conveniently left for Laos for a few days where I had no other music but the music in my head (Iceage) and somehow took more of an affection for them. I still think there stage show would be more fun if the guitarist walked over to the singer and head-butted him to the floor but that's just an opinion.
OK, let me briefly mention all the things I am cooking up at the moment. Back in December I went over to The Ladz house in Nakhon Pathom and we hung out and did a podcast and just got silly - it was easily the most fun I've ever had in a podcast yet going through hours of inebriated and jovial Ladz is a tedious process. I will get it done, I promise.
Recently I sat down with singer/songwriter and music producer Mark Rogen and we talked about his new self-released music, overcoming substance abuse, and revelations as a sober musician. I will upload the podcast soon as it doesn't need any editing.
My latest Razorcake column is proving to be a thorn in my side - it will simply not come out easily. I sent them something - they asked for a rewrite. I keep on changing the due date thinking the editor would not notice. He noticed LOL. Sorry Todd. I am air mailing you a burrito from the big mango.
This has yet to be confirmed but This Quiet Army from Montreal may be performing in Bangkok this coming March. After I discovered the music, I spent an entire afternoon listening to it - I wish I could say more, but it's just fucking awesome. Click here for music.
Panic Station has a new EP coming out. They have a show at Skytrain on February 6th with The Ladz and The Skit (never heard of them - that must be Andy Maclean's band). Panic have another show with Degaruda, Hope the Flower and Celebities Owls at Overstay on the 13th.
Count the Thief are in process of completing a new EP. The will be playing with Monomania and Soundsylvania (Shane Palko) at Hemingway's February 11th. It's a free show. Hopefully there will be a drink special. There's also a Count show at PlayYard with Kinetics and Inspirative on February 26th.
The Plastic Section "Combination Special" CD Party sponsored by Colorcode Records with Triggs and the Longest Day and DJ Tat will be here before you know it on 21st of February. That's at Jam. Free Entry. My photo graces the cover of the new CD plus some artistic license from Ben Edwards. Plastic Section also are shooting a new video at Fatty's courtesy of Gary Boyle - it sounds like a Rodriguez-Tarantino flick: blood, gore, meat. Sign up for the CD party. This is the one show I wouldn't miss in February and there are some really great shows....
Degaruda are playing in Hua Hin on February 21. Should you happen to miss the Plastic Section CD party, your one get out of jail free card is Dega in HH. And while you are down there go and give some love to Dr. Pook of The Sticky Rice at his new place, The Sound Library. Sign up for the Dega show in Hua Hin.
A few weeks ago I opened me email and discovered a message from a man named Larry Wolfley, the executive director of 924 Gilman Street in Berkeley, California. "Gilman" is a legendary non profit club which gave birth bands such as Operation Ivy, Rancid, and Green Day. Larry was looking for punk shows in Bangkok. So far he's checked out a show at 1979 Vinyls and unknown pleasures as well as a punk show at Lang Suan Castle. Larry was also a prolific punk rock photographer. Check out his website. There is also a documentary about him. He spends a lot of time here - you'll bump into him. We're gonna brainstorm how to cross promote punk DIY music between the San Francisco Bay area and Bangkok.
Doubleheader
Belle and Sebastian, Caribou, Tune-Yards on 19 February
Thurston Moore Band, Temples, and Real Estate on 20 February at GMM Live House @Central World. Debbie Googe, bassist of My Bloody Valentine, is touring with TMB. That is cool. It is 1000 baht for one night or 1800 baht for both. Buy tickets for the show here.
DOOD x Rehab mini festival trip on February 1- there's a smattering of bands including Aire and Kinetics from 3PM til late. Join event here.
Noise Market 4 - February 14 and 15 @ Museum Siam 4PM - 10PM
It's that time of year again: Noise Market. Sign up for it here.
Compared to last year at this time, there has been a tremendous amount of interes in underground music in Thailand from fans worldwide. We are also beginning to attract interest from promoters and distributors in far away places and I am thinking it will be sooner rather than later that some Bangkok underground bands and prominent indie labels will have their CDs for sale in music shops outside of Asia. And once there are proven CD sales that can only mean one thing: A tour is viable.
If you are reading this on Saturday the 31st of January, there is a little show at Fatty's tonight with Jeff Baker, Matthew Fischer, and Paul Wilkinson.
On a personal note, aside from being completely broke, life is great and I managed to find a bit of part time work as a session studio drummer. Let's see, I make no money as a writer and all my income comes from drumming. Ironic.
Play well. You never know who's in the crowd.