In the early ’90s, simply uttering the word Nuvo made girls swoon. The sensational pop-rock band dominated the Thai music scene with their swagger, pretty hairdos, model-like physiques and countless love songs. But while 25 years have passed since Pen Yang Nee Tang Tae Kerd (Been Like This Since I was Born) leapfrogged to the top of the charts, Nuvo has continued to ride its wave of success.
Since the six-man group’s last concerts two years ago, guitarist and vocalist Saharat “Kong” Sangkapreecha has been busy as a coach on The Voice Thailand, while lead vocalist John Rattanaveroj promises that his love for music remains undying. When they take to the stage next weekend for two sold-out shows at Impact Arena, in their minds it will be anything but a comeback.
“In fact, when we were discussing the concert’s title, ‘reunion’ was the first word on the list that we crossed out,” John said. “Nuvo’s never really gone anywhere, so I don’t think it’s necessary to pull off any reunion concept for it. I believe Nuvo can stand on stage without having to hold onto the ‘We’re back again!’ kind of thing. What we’re planning to do is not just another reunion concert, but another big concert for our fans.”
The swooning is less intense than when they were in their heartthrob heyday, but there is still plenty of evidence of youthful vigour among the band. Now in their late forties, John and Kong are unlike other world-weary, middle-aged veteran singers. If anything, they have only improved with age and experience.
“I personally like my voice and the way I’m able to sing now more than I could 20 years ago,” John said. “Our maturity, persistence and experience over the years have made us become stronger as musicians. And I believe that’s actually how it works not just for us, but for everyone. Whatever you do in life, as long as you have pleasure doing it, nothing can stop you from improving.”
Kong nodded in agreement. “That’s how it works for me, too. Being a musician is about learning the aspects of the art of music through experience and perseverance. Nuvo’s performance now, I believe, is far better than when we released our first album. Music is not so much about physical qualities such as age. You’ve only got to look at the Rolling Stones, they’re in their seventies but still out there enjoying it and performing. Eric Clapton, too, is sixty-something and still going on world tours. We are now in our forties, thus we still have a long way to go. On top of that, I do think we are in our top form right now, just like John said, we’re getting much better than we were in our teenage years.”
Next weekend’s Nuvo Love Story Concert is simply the band “picking up where we had left off” after the Nuvo B-side Concert two years ago. Ten years have passed since the band released a studio album, but they remain popular when they play live.
“Nuvo has love songs for every occasion — happy, sad, frustrated or in need of encouragement — we have it all. And that’s why we decided to go for the Love Story theme,” Kong said.
“Last time was just a warm-up. We do have a good number of catchy B-side tracks, but still we feel like the mission hasn’t been completed yet. This time I promise you we will not let any of our hits slip off the list.”
John adds: “Joe [Jirayut Wattanasin, band leader, guitarist and vocalist] was the first one who pushed the idea that we should play our A-side tracks for the next concert. The idea sort of crept up on us, and — before we knew it — here we are, brainstorming and rehearsing together.” >>
>> Nuvo is made up of band leader, guitarist and vocalist Jirayut “Joe” Wattanasin, keyboard player Peter Hammond, bassist Surachai “Su” Soonthorntadakul and drummer Chayoot “Mai” Burakamkovit. All six original members met in high school and formed the band in 1985.
A few years after graduation they landed a coveted record deal with GMM Grammy, and their combination of youthful looks and talent led to quick success. Their debut album was a monster hit, selling more than one million copies. They dominated radio and the charts in the early ’90s with singles like Mai Pen Rai Loey (Never Mind It), Leum Pai Mai Rak Kan (Sorry, I Forgot You Didn’t Love Me), Sood Sood Pai Loey (To the Fullest) and Ni Yarm Rak (Definition of Love).
Nuvo may not quite make the same impact today, but as far as Kong is concerned, the band’s core remains the same 25 years later.
“When I was in junior high school, there was a general belief that if you didn’t play sport, you had to play music,” Kong said. “For some reason, I went for the latter. I thought I was just going to do music for fun — just something I’d do temporarily, but two decades have passed and I still can’t quit it yet. Looking back at it now, I realise it was my thing from the start.”
John said he was reluctant to join the band at first, thinking it would affect his studies. “When Joe and Kong came along, I was in two minds between pursuing a career in a scientific field and being a singer. And when I got to play in the band with them, I was like, ‘Screw physics, I’m gonna sing!’ I was happy with the choice and have never regretted it. We all are addicted to it. I think having the chance to entertain hundreds or thousands of people is what utterly and constantly makes me happy. I enjoy seeing our audiences having fun. And that’s why I just want to keep doing it until the end.”
Unlike certain other bands that met in high school, 25 years of recording and touring has only strengthened their bonds.
BOYSCOUT AND NUVO AT TERMINAL 21 ::: The trio who made up Thailand’s very first boy band, Boy Scout— Chanit ‘‘Ta’’ Yaisamer, Thanaphong ‘‘Dip’’ Klaiphongphan and Thanate ‘‘Joe’’ Chimtuam—are reuniting for a concert entitled ‘‘Retro Chic 90s’’, which is scheduled to kick-off tomorrow at 6pm, at the new Terminal 21 shopping mall at Asoke intersection on Sukhumvit Road. Fans of another group of former heartthrobs, Nuvo, can catch upwith their favourite band on April 20 at the same venue.
“Of course there were times when we were distant and busy with our own things,” John said. “There were times when our opinions clashed. There were times when we were drained of our passion and on the verge of falling apart. But, that’s it. Look where we are now. It’s been a journey — a great one. Time has proven that no matter what happens to us, we’ve always got each other’s backs.”
Although Nuvo is strongly associated with Generation X, the band has transcended the ages thanks to songs that have constantly been covered and reinterpreted by other bands. John was enthusiastic about the younger fans coming to hear the original versions of songs with swirly guitar riffs and infectious, straightforward lyrics.
“It makes me feel like we’ve created something that has eventually become an heirloom that is passed from generation to generation,” he said. “Everyone, regardless of their age, can enjoy our music.”
Kong said the reason Nuvo had fans across the generations was because their catchy tunes had a timeless appeal. “It’s the same way as how I love listening to the oldies, like the Beatles or Eric Clapton. They belong to my parents’ generation, but I still adore their songs. Why? Because if you make good music, classic music, then there are always going to be people who want to hear it.”
Still, the band is in no doubt that it owes its strong following to the generation that put it there. Nuvo left a big mark in the music industry, and in fans’ memories. The Love Story concert, they hope, will honour that.
“We would like to know how our fans, old friends who have stayed by our side for the past 25 years, are doing. We’ve grown up together. We’ve made so many beautiful memories together. So, let’s make it again this time,” Kong said.
John said: “I wish to see something like a déjà vu — something that will trigger a specific, stored memory to cheer ourselves up, to pump ourselves up and to make us feel alive again.”
If it’s not a comeback, then it’s history repeating. Plans for any new material are still gathering moss.
“For now, we have no plans for the next album. What we have done in the past is enough for us to live on,” Kong said.
“And whenever we try to make something new, people still prefer listening to our old songs.
“I guess if one day we rekindle our urge or find new inspiration, we might take that risk again. You know what I’m saying,” Kong winked. n
