The pages of rock philosophy are thick with commentary on bands like Deadtown Trash, Plastic Section and Degaruda who you can see at YoMoFo and now as new bands enter the community I am which will be next to catch my ears and imagination. Some of the newest bands of note existing on the far reaches of Thai indie and underground rock would be Pennytime (formerly Babylon) a grunge 4-piece of young ones barely old enough to buy beer legally and a new band on Newlights Records (Hope the Flowers) called Spring Fall Sea.
The lineup looks a lot like the expat underground festival with many of the Fatty’s Bar & Diner regular bands performing but there’s nothing wrong with that. We have a newly revisioned Sangsom Massacre complete with a keyboardist and new bassist to replace John Will Sail who is also on the bill – John and his former bands mates report they are still friends. That’s great as we don’t want to any brawls on a Sunday afternoon. Read latest Q and A with John here.
Matthew Fischer and the Fishes will be bringing their home brewed, alt-country Americana roots music to the event. In a city populated with contemporary sounds, post rock, prog rock, the Fishes are much akin to a 70s band – something you might listen to on 8 track while driving the Winnebago through the Badlands. Haven’t seen them in a long time – looking forward to it and I know Fishes super fan Joep is too.
Monomania will grace the performance area. They have been one of the most popular bands of late on the 16-year old Panda Records label with their own take on art rock, most notably Radiohead. There song “Cancer” always lingers with me for days after hearing it live. I have an autographed copy of their CD and photographed them at Mahidol Salaya a seemingly long time ago. I have a feeling these guys will become big stars one day. For that Mahidol photo shoot, click here.
The dub step masters The Sticky Rice will return. The Pookster occasionally makes an appearance in Bangkok since moving to Hua Hin. Last time I saw them was Brownstone Fest in May 2014. It’s always fun. They are definitely one of the funnest live bands in the city.
I think I have seen Degaurda more times than any other Bangkok band. Now, I feel a tad guilty saying I have only seen them perhaps twice this year. They have a new bassist and a new album in the making and are back on my radar. They are one of those bands that force you to think of synonyms for ‘awesome’ because if everything is awesome doesn’t that become monotonous? The fact that I will always judge a band by the first time I have ever seen them or heard them and that they were fucking awe-inspiring the first time clearly works in their favor. Were it only me that thought so, I’d question my hearing, memory, and musical taste but these guys are a gnarly beast live all agree. I will take everything they throw at me and hopefully hear it as if it was the first time. For more articles on Degaruda type in “degaruda’ in the Google search box for this blog.
Deadtown Trash are back as we all know and have been quickly picking up steam. I’m looking forward to see what new songs they come up with and to be honest I am happy with the old stuff too. When they rip into “Vein” you kinda want to have a slow motion, mosh pit and pour beer all over yourself and yell “Valhalla!” (there is a musical reference in there but I doubt many or anyone will get). You can read a Q and A with B click here.
One of the best rock and roll bands ever, Plastic Section, will be performing their soul-infused rock n roll pyromancy. They’ve just recorded a new album at Brownstone Studios and their live video from the latest Sofar Sounds Bangkok will be out any day now. Follow the new Sofar Sounds Bangkok page for the new Plastic Section video directed by Gary Boyle - click here.
My concert ears are normally swimming in the sounds of rock and roll so when the lighter touch of folk comes I’m normally deafened or waiting on the line to get beer. That said, the songs of Eico sometimes combined with the live drumming of Ginn Sentaro of Japanese-Thai post rock band aire can be quite compelling. Eico totally solo can be much like a piece of art you have not figured out – there are reasons to send poets to review music and not simply musicians that can write. Perhaps the only way to review some musical art is by making more art about it. Looking forward to the challenge.
Also Joe Delaney’s many bands Blue Randome will be kicking it all off – no idea what they do although I am pretty sure there’s a blue wig involved. Finishing off the night is Japanese guitarist Kota – looking forward to some new sounds.
Shout out to Jeff Ross who designed the flyer. Jeff’s designs have been used by bands as cool as Alice Donut from Jello Biafra’a Alternative Tentacles label and legendary bands like Nirvana from Sub Pop days as well as Smashing Pumpkins.
Visuals via VJ Xponja.
Doors open 2PM. First band on at 3:30.
Bands Schedule:
3:30 Blue Randome
4:15 Spring Fall Sea
5:00 PennyTime
5:45 Eico
6:30 Plastic Section
7:15 John will Sail
8:00 Degaruda
8:45 The Sangsom Massacre
9:30 Deadtown Trash
10:15 The Sticky Rice
11:00 Monomania
11:45 Matthew Fischer
12:30 Kota
Admission is 300 baht and includes a drink from sponsor.
For more information, click here.
Watch a video of Eico performing at Brownstone in 2014.