Vintage at its very best

Buoyed on the wave of nostalgia that greeted their formation a year ago, the 1980s dance-pop veterans of the Palace are back at Impact Arena today at 3pm for “The Palace & Friends Restage”.

 The Palace – comprised of musicians who specialised in funk and disco 30 years ago – has maintained what Soonthorn “Jeed” Sujaritchant, formerly of the Royal Sprites string combo, calls a “surprisingly tight schedule” since its founding last year.

 Wongsakorn “Ton” Rassamitat, who played the drums in McIntosh, Montri “Jued” Kittikal, ex-bassist of Forever, Ronapop “Toey” Akraraj, the guitarist from Inca, and two of the guys from Innocent – keyboardist Peerasan Juabsamai and guitarist Saichon Radomkij – formed the group. Jeed signed on a little later, as did Ronnachai “Od” Thomya of Khiriboon and Wasu “Jib” Sangsingkaew of Ploy. 

“It’s an unprecedented phenomenon,” Jeed boasts of the outfit’s success. “It’s like old wine in a new bottle,” Jib quips.

They’re still into disco. They open their shows with an original song featuring lyrics that go, “We are the Palace, we love the disco sound, we are the Palace, come on enjoy with us now.” 

Today’s “Restage” show has guests including Anchalee “Pu” Chongkhadeekij, who had a smash hit with her 1985 debut album “Nueng Diew Khon Nee” and once did a Pepsi TV ad with Tina Turner. Wirut “Dam” Sakulsappaisan, former singer of Forever, will be there too, as will Patcharida “Mam” Wattana and Orawan “Poom” Yenpoonsuk, ex of Sao Sao Sao, and Suda “Mount” Chuenban and Chantana “Dang” Kitiyapan.

From “The Voice Thailand” come Thanon “Non” Chamroen, who won the first season, and Somsak “Noom” Rinnairak, who won the third, along with “Academy Fantasia Season 7” champ Annop “Por” Thongborisut. 

 

BOX

Go palatial

 

Seats cost Bt1,000 to Bt4,000 at www.ThaiTicketMajor.com and (02) 262 3456.

If you’re buying at the door, take along five labels from bottles of Crystal water and they’ll knock 10 per cent off the price.