Celebrating two decades of music
Most 90s-kids idolise Moderndog, the long-standing band lauded as the forefathers of alternative rock in Thailand. Known for their jumpy, energetic music as much as their unconventional uses of sounds and lyrical style, the three-piece outfit revolutionised the Thai rock scene when they released their first album in 1994.
This Saturday, head to Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani to celebrate the band’s 22nd anniversary at “Moderndog22” concert, a celebration of the band’s legacy, as well as the release of their sixth album, Pod Pong May-T after the three band members: Thanachai “Pod” Ujjin (vocals), May-T Noijinda (guitar) and Pawin “Pong” Suwannacheep (drums).
The gig promises to be a three-hour spectacular packed with hits drawn from the band’s six albums. This will be the largest performance for the band, taking the audience on a trip through the sounds of 90s Thailand. The concert will also feature the talents of famous lighting designer Tellson James, who has previously collaborated with superstars like Whitney Houston, Phil Collins and Shayne Ward.
First making their mark on the Thai music scene in 1992, when the band took home the prestigious (for its time) Coke Music Award, which also landed them a label deal with Bakery Music, the production house of famous Thai singer, songwriter and producer Boyd Kosiyabong.
The band’s first album, simply titled ModernDog, was released shortly thereafter in 1994, and the band has since released a new album consistently every three to four years.
Known as one of the pioneers of the alternative rock genre in Thailand, the band’s 2001 album Love Me Love My Life was widely praised — and criticised — for its daring, abstract experimentation with conventional rock sounds and lyrics.
Their instrumental song Happiness is…, for example, features a slow rock melody played over what seems to be a voice recording of a mother calling her son, while their song Sing Tee Mai Koei Bok ( What I Never Told You) was widely accepted as one of Thai people’s first introduction to what would become known as “post-rock” music today.