Shaken not stirred

MORE THAN 4,000 rock fans jumped up and down last weekend as Cocktail took to the stage of Muang Thai GMM Live House for “The Heartless”, a full-length concert that saw the band playing tracks both from their underground days and their new life with Genie Records backed up by a 30-piece orchestra.

Label mates The Yers opened the concert with a power-packed set of six numbers – “Sia Sala”, “Khuen Thi Fah Sawang”, “Rawang Khub Rot”, “Khuen Thi Puad Rao”, “Septid Khwam Jeb Puad” and “Karn Sue Sarn” – that drew cheers and loud applause. 

Screams filled the auditorium as Cocktail’s members – vocalist Panthapol “Ohm” Prasarnratchakij, guitarist Chawarat “Chao” Hansakunatai, bassist Krirkiat “Park” Sawangwong and drummer Philips Premsirikorn – burst on to stage with “Chan Ronghai Pen Muen Khrang Puea Ma Jer Ther” before segueing into “Cheewit”, “Sao Shanghai” and “Prode Therd Rak”, the melodies enhanced by the orchestral back-up.

Ohm greeted his fans before launching into a medley of “Muea Chan Tham Hai Ther Laew Thuk Yang”, “Set Sak Khwam Fun” and “Sam Son”, on which he played acoustic guitar and stood alone on stage.

His bandmates rejoined him for “Wai” before introducing their first guest, luk thung singer Paowalee Pornpimol, who performed a cover of late luk thung queen Pumpuang Duangchan’s “Nak Rong Ban Nok”.

Cocktail returned to stage for “Khoo Cheewit”, and cheers once again echoed through the hall as Nong Pen handed a bouquet to husband Ohm. 

Potato’s singer Patchai “Pup” Pakdeesusuk jammed with Ohm on “Ther Tham Hai Chan Sia Jai” before bringing on his band for “Wela”, the first track recorded by Cocktail for Genie. Potato and Cocktail then joined up for “Phiang Phor” and “Khob Khun Thi Rak Kan”, much of the delight of the audience who showed their appreciation with decibel-defying screams.

Those screams went up another octave as the first notes of the band’s eponymous hit “Khuk Khao” rang out. 

Cocktail closed with “Namta Sud Thai” then returned for an encore in the company of the band’s original drummer, Ayu Jaruburana, playing “Arj Phroh” and a reprise of “Chan Rong Hai Pen Muen Khrang Puea Ma Jer Ther”.