Raising The Standards

Bangkok’s nightlife is vibrant and eclectic but limited when it comes live music. English pub Robin Hood is going to help fill that deficit with a revamped entertainment policy featuring more alternative bands. It kicks in tonight with British-Thai fusion specialists the Standards.
“We’re switching from everyday bands who play week in and week out to promoting more visible events on a larger scale,” says Robin Hood spokesman Robert Pincock.
These shows will be less frequent, he says, “but we’ll be able to host bigger names that are popular in the indie sector. Hopefully this can bring in a more youthful late-night crowd looking for a gig-like atmosphere but in a more intimate setting.”
The Standards have been performing across Asia for four years, having met in Bangkok clubs and sharing a passion for alternative music.
A loyal following propelled them into the studio to record the songs they play live on what became a successful debut EP, 2008’s “Well, Well, Well”, which included the single “The Proposition”. Since then we’ve had the raw and edgy first album “Nations”.
“The dull cover bands are being done away with and the play list is going from irritating, crap pop to new indie,” says singer-percussionist Matt Smith.
The Standards have toured England, opened for the Charlatans, played several big Asian festivals and appear live on MTV and now they’ve got a new album ready to release – and yet tonight’s Robin Hood show will be their first Bangkok pub gig.
“Admittedly we’ve not played a Bangkok pub like the Robin Hood before, but pubs can be the best venues to play,” says Smith. “There were even a few on the Standards’ tour of England last year, and they were packed and awesome, so we’re well and truly used to it – not to mention all the pubs myself and Paul played when we lived there.”
The Standards promise a high-octane set of their own material, but no requests from the floor, please.
“Requests are for those bands that have members who look permanently bored, dress in the dark and play without an ounce of enthusiasm,” Smith says. “They should write they’re own songs – there’s a slight possibility they might even be good!”
The Standards will also perform at the Cosmic Cafe on RCA on May 4 and the Popscene Live party at Dickinson’s Culture on Phra Arthit Road in June.
Meanwhile Robin Hood’s sister club Zaks on Sukhumvit Soi 11 is adding Caribbean spice to its May 23 party with a one-off appearance by dancehall-soca singer Kevin Lyttle, who’s best known for the hits “Drive Me Crazy”, “Dance” and “Turn Me On”.

FREE TO SEE
Catch the Standards for free tonight at 10pm at Robin Hood on Sukhumvit Soi 33/1, near the Phrom Phong Skytrain stop.
Call (02) 662 3390 or see www.RobinHoodBangkok.com.