Going to “Extremes”
Thai rockers Bodyslam have long been fans of American rockers Mr Big and Extreme, so much so that Bodyslam’s frontman Artiwara “Toon” Kongmalai, guitarist Thanachai “Yod” Tantrakul, bassist Tanadol “Pid” Changsawek, drummer Suchatti “Chad” Janed and keyboardist Ohm Plengkhum, were very much in evidence when the former played in Bangkok.
Mr Big’s concert was staged last Tuesday at GMM Live House on the eighth floor of CentralWorld last Tuesday and the band showed off their trademark “shredding” musicianship and awesome vocal harmonies, playing tracks off their latest album “Defying Gravity” as well as hits “Alive And Kicking”, “To Be With You” and “Just Take My Heart”.
Thai rock heads screamed as vocalist Eric Martin, guitarist Paul Gilbert, bassist Billy Sheehan and drummer Pat Torpey swung into a set that included “Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy”, “Lost in America”, “Alive And Kickin’”, “Rock & Roll Over” and “Take Cover” before easing into sing-along ballads “Just Take My Heart”, “Wild World”, “Green Tinted Sixties Mind” and “To Be With You.”
Also at the show were Sweet Mullet’s Dulyakiat “Tao” Lertsuwannakul, Blackhead, Dezember’s Siam Chumthong, Inca’s Nol Singholaka, Kitti Guitar Gun, Kaleidoscope’s Sirisak “Moo” Sirichotinun, and Sutthipong “Chompoo Fruity” Wattanajang.
The following night Toon Bodyslam came alone to Extreme’s concert at the same venue and was soon joined by Saharat “Kong Nuvo” Sangkapreecha, Ronnadet “Nam” Wongsaroj, Blackhead, Sweet Mullet, Wizard's Ekachai “Ae” Krai-arnon, Pichet “King The Voice” Buakham, Kitti Guitar Gun, and Manote Puttan.
Extreme came with its original members, Gary Cherone on lead vocals, Nuno Bettencourt on guitar, and Patrick Badger on bass, with Kevin Figueiredo replacing drummer Paul Geary, who is now working in artist management.
Extreme entertained with “It’s A Monster”, “Li’l Jack Horny”, “Get The Funk Out”, “Rest In Peace”, “Hip Today”, “Play With Me”, “Decadence Dance” and “More Than Words” then surprised the crowd with a cover of Queen’s timeless hit “We Are The Champions.”
Toon Bodyslam was thrilled to meet Extreme’s members and presented each of them with a pair of Thai boxing shorts screened with their names. The Thai rocker asked Nuno before playing a 26-second video clip, and all Extreme members then congratulated Toon on raising US$40 million during his marathon country-wide run.
A huge fan of Extreme, Toon Bodyslam asked Extreme to autograph the vinyls he had brought along to the gig and took their picture before happily posing with his legion of Thai fans as he made the way to his car.
