Sek Loso doffs his crown

MUSICIAN SEKSAN Sukpimai, or Sek Loso as he is better known to his legions of fans, turns 40 this year and he’s celebrating in true rock star fashion by throwing a massive concert at Rajamangala National Stadium in November.

“I’m certain I can attract 50,000 people,” says Sek, who has previously staged two large-scale shows: “Puea Puean” at the Velodrome in 2001 and “12 Years: Jai Sang Ma” at Impact Arena in 2011. Both pulled in a capacity crowd but is Sek really certain he can pack in the same number of fans to the Hua Mark venue as Lady Gaga managed back in 2012?

“In Thailand, I’m sure I’m more popular than Lady Gaga. People in Si Sa Ket know me much better than Gaga. I once played a concert in Surin in front of 60,000 fans,” he says.

Sek’s often biting replies to questions posed during the recent press conference at Rong Lao Sangchan drew cheers from his pals, the media and a large group of Harley Davidson riders who turned up to show their support, so his promise to attract tens of thousands of fans doesn’t seem too far-fetched.

“40 Tae Roo Suek Muean 14”, as the November show is titled, will have Boom Boom Cash and Mocca Garden opening for Sek plus a who’s who of guests that includes Yuenyong “Ad Carabao” Opakul, Palmy, Khan-Ngern Thaitanium, Patiparn “Mos” Pataweekarn and Sek’s older brother Amorn “Saen Naka” Sukpimai. 

Manasawin “Tik Shiro” Nanthasen will show off his drumming abilities while Sek will be backed by guitarist Worabut “Tom” Tiaprasert, former Smile Buffalo bassist Pradit Worasuthipisit and ex-Silly Fools drummer Tortrakoon Baingern, and former Eiffel keyboardist Natnat “Teddy” Hirunsomboon.

“I like Mocca Garden and loved their song about Thailand and Boom Boom Cash is a modern band that’s excellent at creating a party atmosphere,” says Sek, who also used the press conference to present his latest studio offering, an EP titled “Rak Lae Santi”(“Love and Peace”). The five-song release offers “Ther Yang Mee Chan”, “Khid Thueng Jang”, “Harley Thailand” and “I Love You” featuring Tik Shiro on vocals and drum, along with the title track and it’s not Sek’s only way of reaching out to fans. Also in the stores and is also certain to be a hit is a new box set, titled “Sek Loso: The King of Rock and Roll Thailand,” featuring 12 CDs spanning his 18-year music career. “My first EP was ‘Jakrayan See Daeng’ [‘Red Bicycle]’ and the title track was the soundtrack for the movie with the name,” Sek recalls. 

“Proceeds from selling this second EP, which comes as an audio CD and karaoke DVD, will be divided into two segments. One part will go to the setting up of a Loso Foundation to help poor people and the other to build a clinic for stray dogs.”

Veteran musician Manote Puttan, who served as the emcee for the press conference, was less surprised at Sek’s philanthropic gestures than at the title of the box set. “So you think you’re the King of Rock and Roll Thailand?” he asked the singer.

“I didn’t give myself that title, my fan club did,” Sek retorted. 

“But I have been playing rock and roll for 18 years and believe that everyone is aware of my strength.”

Norasate Mudkong, aka DJ Seed, agrees.

“During a visit to England a few years ago I asked Emily Eavis, the daughter of the Glastonbury festival’s founder, why she had selected Sek to play at the event. She said many Thai bands were interested in playing at Glastonbury but she’d selected Sek because he was a true Thai rock symbol. So I’m sure Sek can attract 50,000 people. In fact, I’m sure he would fill the stadium if it had a 100,000 person capacity. He is really the king of rock and roll for me.”

“When I was young, I watched your music TV programme ‘Banthoeng Khadi’,” Sek told Manote. “I remember being really impressed by the Olarn Project and I’ve always love their album ‘Hoo Lek’. 

“I’ve have been a fan of Carabao since the beginning and the first rock album I bought was Guns ’N Roses after reading about the band in ‘Quiet Storm’, which was a popular rock music magazine at that time.

“I chose Loso for my band’s name as I felt it described life in the provinces. I recorded my first demo at Kita Entertainment and would have signed with them but the label collapsed shortly after. I remember touting two tapes of my demo to M Square and Grammy subsidiary. 

"More Music. More called me first and that’s how it all began.”

 

Ready to rock

_ “40 Tae Roo Suek Muean 14” takes place at 6pm on November 2 at the Rajamangala National Stadium.

_ Tickets are Bt200 to Bt5,000, available at 7 Eleven and all other Counter Service branches. The Bt5,000 ticket includes dinner with Sek after the show.