I planned to do that for a few bands that evening, but some media personnel stopped me and informed me nicely that I had to arrange with Esplanade’s PRs (ie. Winnie) to make their bands and myself more comfortable indoors instead of out in the drizzle and noise. Point noted. They should provide some of those cocktails in their interview lounge though (one can get thirsty interviewing or after rocking real hard).
THE STANDARDS
Matt approached me so quickly I had little time to think he was the leader of the pack. He then began talking so fast I could only barely say I would like to interview the whole group, whereupon I realized it was the odd-couples group, a mix of three Thais and two English cockneys. I was about to protest, that the catalogue stated “Thai” band, but over-enthused Matt started a power-drunken rant again that I felt it best to carry on fast before I lost my thoughts. Formed in June 2007 by Matt Smith, The Standards is a growing British-Thai pop icon in Bangkok. Matt Smith is the lead singer, Paul Smith on guitar and back-up singing, Sithikorn “Mackay” Likitvorachai on bass, Manasnit Setthawong on the keyboards and synth, Ayu Charuburana as the drummer. They started off in Khaosan, with a monthly party called Popscene and under the influence of alcohol and a straying Matt, the gigs became ever more popular. A live music promoter Mind-The-Gap took notice of them and brought them onto the world stage. So from the rock and rolling in night clubs and getting bottles thrown at them to events like BayBeats, it’s hard to understand the struggle The Standards went through to make a name. I asked what alternative career paths they would have chosen if the band hadn’t formed, Paul laughed: “Premiere League football player”. Mc would have decided to become the proud “owner of a kindergarten” and Ayu was happy to be a “lap dancer”. The Standards have set their own standards, to basically sound like they should and not conform to the Thai music scene. Matt said, with beer bottle in hand, that their music would be: “Good rock and roll with passion. It is music to like. It is good when you can feel the bass lines through the ground”. And I definitely felt their gig before I could hear it.
CHECK THEM OUT
ONLINE: Facebook.com/jimmylivewire
Myspace.com/thestandardsmyspace
www.thestandards.tk
WHAT TO DOWNLOAD: The Proposition, Jimmy is a Livewire
WHERE YOU CAN FIND THEM NEXT: Monthly gig at Popscene, 19 Prachathipatai Rd, Bangkok. Not released yet.
