Smashing good time at the Hard Rock

Hard Rock Café Bangkok recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with a Bt50-million facelift, giving it an exposed "warehouse" look. The relaunch party had rockers taking part in the traditional guitar smashing while celebrities looked on.

The eco-friendly new look is enhanced by recycled wood products from old rice mills plus metal from used doors and window frames, with modernity coming from the graffiti-covered partition on the second floor. The facade of the restaurant is made from more than 4,000 pieces of viva board and the new balcony is proving popular, especially with foreigners, say the staff.

In addition there are more than 100 imported items of music memorabilia worth US$150,000, including a Fender Custom Stratocaster played by Motley Crue's Mick Mars during the "Crue Fest" gig, Eric Clapton's Fender Stratocaster, and a black Ibanez that once belonged to Paul Stanley of Kiss.

The latest items to join the collection is a Les Paul standard model that rocker Asanee Chotikul used on his fourth studio album "Fukthong" and a costume that Da Endorphine wore during her concert to promote her debut, "Phaap Luangta". Both were presented to James Choong, the restaurant's general manager, during the opening ceremony.

The event was kick-started by Hard Rock Café's executive vice president Duncan Craig inviting rockers Blackhead's Anon "Poo" Saisaengchan, Nakarin "Pang" Kingsak, Thanida Thamwimol aka Da Endorphine and Thanapol "Suea" Intharit to smash guitars to mark the Hard Rock's opening.

Asanee refused to join in, saying he respected the instrument too much. Fortunately, the guitars weren't expensive models but copies made in China.

Other celebrities included Paranyu "Tac" Rojjanawuttitam, Atthama "Bowie" Chewanichapan, Piyawat "PK" Kempetch, Natthaset "Top" Poonsampmanee, Primrata "Jaja" Dejudom, Pimmada "Pim" Boriraksupakorn and a big-bike group known as the Immortals Thailand.