On the prowl with spice
Veteran bands Pink Panther and the Hot Peppers light up the stage of the Thailand Cultural Centre
Pink Panther and The Hot Pepper Singers – two bands that took Thailand by storm in the late 1970s and early 1980s – will be back on stage this month for the concert “Sai Lom Haeng Rak” (“Wind of Love”).
They’ll be performing some 30 of the songs that still remain popular today though in a pop Latino style that’s guaranteed to have feet tapping and will also be welcoming guest singers Sathiya Silakes and Daeng Fantastic.
String band Pink Panther, featuring Vichai Poonyayan, Manote Bin-uma, Somsan Sombatcharoen, Adul Wongkaew, Attaporn Kumpu Na Ayuthaya and Krongthong Thassanaphan, will be returning to the good old days with a set that includes “Rak Chan Nan Puea Ther”, “Roi Thao Bon Puen Sai”, “Nam Soh Sai”, “Khoi Ther Khuen Ma” and “Rak Mai Roo Dub” and launching a new album of their hits in celebration of their 32nd anniversary.
The Hot Pepper Singers featuring Kusuma Euafua, Sassan Bunyasai, Yongyuth Meesang, Worapat Wityopas, Ornanong Yoosuk, and Natnalee Surapalanan, will also be travelling to the past with songs like “Hua Jai Salai”, “Lom Rak”, and “Yak Luem Klub Jam.”
Pink Panther was formed by Vichai Poonyayan, a former member of Silver Sand, in 1979. They released their debut album “Sai Chol” in 1982, which spawned such hits as “Rak Chan Nan Puea Ther” penned by Charas Fueangarom and Chanthanee Unakul’s “Sai Chol”. In 1984, the band was the first to perform live on the stage of Channel 5’s “Loke Dontri” and went on to release four more albums: “Klai Kern Fun” in 1983 with hit “Roi Thao Bon Puen Sai”, “Vimarn Nai Fun” and “Nang Nual” in 1984, “Jud Mai Nan Chan Mee Ther” in 1985, “Rak Phi Na” and “Sin Sai Samphan” in 1986.
Since then Vichai has been working as music director, arranger and vocal guide with EMI Thailand helping such artists as Chatri, Chanthanee and Suchart Chawangkul. at EMI Thailand.
The Hot Pepper Singers were formed by the late Pracheen Songpao of The Impossible, and took their name from one of the string band’s most popular albums – 1977’s “Hot Pepper”.
Sweet sensations
_ “Sai Lom Haeng Rak” is being held at the Thailand Cultural Centre next Thursday.
_ The show starts at 7.
_ Tickets costing from B500 to Bt2,500 are on sale at Thai Ticket Major outlets.
_ Call (02) 262 3456 or visit www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.
_ Part of proceeds will be donated to Ramathibodi Hospital.
