Bodyslam's quiet night out
The Thai rock band celebrates 10 years with a 'Sit and Play' concert
Bodyslam’s sold-out “Nanglen” (“Sit and Play”) concert staged on February 10 at the Impact Exhibition Hall was very different from the band’s previous shows. The 3,500-strong audience didn’t headbang or leap around but instead sat and sang along to a set of 24 rock tunes colourfully interwoven with a brass and string session.
“This kind of ‘acoustic’ concert won’t happen again,” said Athiwara “Toon” Khongmalai, the frontman of Thailand’s hottest rock band, in the middle of the show.
Guitarist Thanachai “Yod” Tantrakul, bassist Thanadol “Pid” Changsawek and drummer Suchuch “Chad” Chaneed were also very calm sitting and playing their instruments throughout the show. Toon stood still and played his songs with feeling, a major change from his usual leaping around the stage and climbing the production props. He even kept his T-shirt on.
I found it quite boring, especially when Toon behaved like an orator. Following the script as if he were recording a DVD (which he may have been), he went back over Bodyslam’s 10 years and their songs, from the band’s self-titled debut in 2003 to 2010’s “Kraam”. He also mentioned the contributions of Big Ass’s two guitarists Poonsak “Off” Jaturaboon and Apichart “Moo” Promraksa and percussionisst Kachorndej “Kob” Promraksa to “Ying Roo Ying Mai Khao Jai” and “Narika Tai” from 2007’s “Save My Life” and “Jeb Jon Wan Nee” from the debut.
The concert started with a beam of light from a spot picking out Toon, who sneaked out on stage and threw his acoustic guitar over his shoulder. To my astonishment, the screams weren’t as loud as one might expect from 3,500 fans. He sang and played his guitar in the opener, “Cheewit Pen Khong Rao”, before the lights came on to reveal the other members sitting and playing their instruments.
Toon went on with “Sang Sudthai” and “Yapis”, whose guitar lead was replaced by a brass line, before stopping to thanking fans for coming to this concert.
He then sang “Sang Raek” and “Khob Khun Namta” before cracking a couple of jokes.
He talked about love then took fans into a set of love songs, which made them sing along. Then, it was time for the first guest, Nakarin “Pang” Kingsak, to sing “Arkaat” and “Sabai Dee”.
Toon presented “Thang Klub Baan” with a big band arrangement and raised the mood a little with “Kwam Chuea”, a hit that’s inspired many of his fans. He closed out the segment with “Khae Lubta”, drawing cheers when he said he wrote the song while going to the beach with his lover.
The night picked up as Bodyslam played their rousing hit, “Khid Hod”, opening with heavy drums, and bringing in the khaen (Isaan reed mouthorgan) and pin (lute) along with popular morlam singer Siriporn Ampaipong. Some fans even stood up and danced. Toon competed with Siriporn in singing morlam while guitarist Yod teamed up with the khaen player.
Tanachai “Pod” Ujjin was the next guest duetting with Toon on “Ploi” and doing a cover of Big Ass’ “Yang Noi”.
“Our next and last guest is everybody who paid for a concert ticket but didn’t have to rehearse. That’s everybody who has followed us for 10 years,” shouted Toon.
Delighted fans stood and helped him sing the choruses while clapping their hands to the last set of songs, which included “Khon Thi Thook Rak”, “Sia Dai”, “Sticker” and “Proh Bang”.
