Sealed with a 'Kiss'
Hard Rock celebrates its birthday with the launch of a Kiss collection that benefits the charity City of Hope
Bangkok's Hard Rock Cafe Bangkok recently celebrated its 23rd birthday party with a party that also paid tribute to American hard rockers Kiss and launched the band's Kiss Signature Series 32, the latest collection of T-shirts and pins.
Celebrities turned out en masse for "Rockin' For Kiss", as the event was dubbed, enjoying cocktails and a buffet as well as music by several Thai bands.
First up on stage was Perfect Stranger, the post-hardcore rockers who placed third in Hard Rock Rising 2014.
The venue's general manager James Choong and Pol Gen Kalin Sarasin then cut the giant birthday cake in the shape of a hamburger and thanked guests for their loyalty to Hard Rock. Five brave souls took part in the "Quick Bite Challenge", racing each other to get through their 10oz burgers as the crowd urged them on.
Secret Tea Party, the runners-up in the 2014 edition of Hard Rock Rising, then took the stage, playing its original songs "Plien", "Wela", "Jom" and "So This Is Love" along with a cover of Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Trees".
"I wrote 'Jom' with today's chaotic society in mind," said vocalist Boom. "And I question my relationship in 'So This Is Love', asking whether or not what I feel is love."
The band was followed by contest winners Rep Ugoslabier, who rocked the audience with songs from its recently released EP before introducing the Signature Series by Kiss, sales of which benefit the charity City of Hope, which aims to conquer cancer, diabetes, HIV/Aids and other disease.
City of Hope touches lives around the globe, providing patients with the best medical care possible in an atmosphere of kindness and compassion. With the limited-edition merchandise, fans of Kiss can support City of Hope's mission to shorten the time from bold influential research ideas to powerful medical treatments.
The party ended with a set by Sweet Mullet, who honoured Kiss by painting their faces and covering the band's eponymous hit "I Was Made for Lovin' You". They followed up with a series of their own hits including "Ja Pen Ja Tai", "Tob", "Phap Tid Ta", "Phleng Khong Khon Ngo" and "Palang Saeng Phra Arthit" and a new number, "Jeb Thuk Lom Haijai".
